Several changes to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) have taken effect from 2025, prompting questions about their impact on housing purchases in Singapore. The effects vary between individuals, depending on their reliance on CPF for housing and the extent of its use. Here’s a summary of the recent changes and their potential implications for your buying decisions: Changes to CPF in 2025 These changes mostly took effect from January 2025 and are currently in place:

1. Closure of the Special Account (SA) for members aged 55 and above

As of 19 January 2025, the SA for members aged 55 and above has been closed. Savings in the SA have been transferred to the Retirement Account (RA) up to the Full Retirement Sum (FRS), where they continue to earn long-term interest. Any remaining SA savings have been moved to the Ordinary Account (OA), earning the short-term interest rate, and can be withdrawn when needed. Impact on housing purchases: While home loans and stamp duties are typically serviced through the OA,...