CPF LIFE Payout Amounts 2026 — What You'll Get
CPF LIFE gives you a monthly income for life from age 65. This guide explains the three CPF LIFE plans, how much you can expect to receive, and how deferring your payouts can increase your monthly amount.
Last updated: June 2026 · Refer to cpf.gov.sg for official payout estimates.
What Is CPF LIFE?
CPF LIFE stands for Lifelong Income For the Elderly. It is a national longevity insurance annuity scheme managed by the CPF Board. When you turn 65, the savings in your Retirement Account (RA) are used to provide you with a monthly payout for the rest of your life — regardless of how long you live.
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with at least S$60,000 in their RA at age 65 are automatically enrolled. If your RA has less than S$60,000, you can still opt in.
The Three CPF LIFE Plans
CPF LIFE offers three plans, each suited to different financial needs:
1. CPF LIFE Standard Plan
The Standard plan provides the highest steady monthly payout. Your payout amount stays the same throughout your life. This plan is best if you want a predictable, consistent income.
2. CPF LIFE Escalating Plan
The Escalating plan starts with a lower payout that increases by 2% each year. This helps your income keep pace with inflation over time. After about 12-15 years, the Escalating plan payout will surpass the Standard plan payout.
3. CPF LIFE Basic Plan
The Basic plan offers the lowest monthly payout but retains more savings in your RA, which continues to earn interest. Upon your passing, any remaining RA balance is paid to your nominees. Choose this if leaving a bequest is important to you.
Estimated Monthly Payouts
Your actual CPF LIFE payout depends on your RA balance at the point you join CPF LIFE, the plan you select, and prevailing interest rates. Below are approximate payout rates per S$1,000 of RA balance for illustration:
| Plan | Approx. Monthly Payout per S$1,000 RA | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~S$6.50/month | Steady payout for life |
| Escalating | ~S$5.40/month (increases 2%/year) | Inflation protection |
| Basic | ~S$5.80/month | Higher bequest for nominees |
Note: These are illustrative figures based on CPF Board's published estimates. Actual payouts depend on the CPF LIFE pool's investment performance and may differ. Check the CPF LIFE payout estimator for your personalised amount.
Deferring Your CPF LIFE Payouts
You can choose to defer your CPF LIFE payouts from age 65 up to age 70. Each year of deferral increases your monthly payout by approximately 6-7%, as your RA continues to earn interest during the deferral period.
| Payout Start Age | Approximate Increase vs. Age 65 |
|---|---|
| 65 (default) | Baseline |
| 66 | +7-8% |
| 67 | +13-15% |
| 68 | +19-21% |
| 69 | +26-28% |
| 70 (latest) | +33-35% |
Deferral can be a good strategy if you have other income sources (e.g., employment, savings) and want higher guaranteed payouts later.
✦ Example: S$200,000 RA balance
Standard Plan: ~S$200 × S$6.50/1k = ~S$1,300/month
Escalating Plan: ~S$200 × S$5.40/1k = ~S$1,080/month (increases 2%/year)
Basic Plan: ~S$200 × S$5.80/1k = ~S$1,160/month
If deferred to age 70: Standard payout increases to ~S$1,730/month.
Estimate Your CPF LIFE Payout
Use our free CPF LIFE calculator to compare all three plans and see your projected monthly income.
Open CPF LIFE Calculator →Key Facts
- CPF LIFE provides lifelong monthly payouts from age 65
- Three plans: Standard (steady), Escalating (+2%/year), Basic (highest bequest)
- Standard plan: ~S$6.50/month per S$1,000 RA balance
- Escalating plan: ~S$5.40/month per S$1,000 RA (increases 2% annually)
- Basic plan: ~S$5.80/month per S$1,000 RA balance
- Deferring to age 70 increases payouts by ~33-35%
- Auto-enrolled if RA balance ≥ S$60,000 at age 65
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All figures are illustrative estimates based on CPF Board published data. Actual payouts depend on CPF LIFE fund performance and may differ. Always verify with the official CPF Board for personalised estimates.