Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS) 2026: Eligibility, how to top up, and grant amount

Singapore's Central Provident Fund (CPF) system is one of the most comprehensive retirement frameworks in the world, and it continues to evolve. Recognising that retirement security looks different across different life paths, CPF has progressively widened its net to support segments of the population who may have—or may have had—a hard time accumulating savings through formal employment alone: seniors with gaps in their contribution history, workers in lower-income roles, and Singaporeans with disabilities.

The Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS) is one of the many initiatives to protect the most vulnerable.  Its mechanism is simple: make a cash top-up to your CPF Retirement Account (RA) or Special Account (SA), and the government matches it dollar for dollar, up to S$2,000 per year and S$20,000 over a lifetime. 

In 2025 alone, a record S$456 million in matching grants was credited to more than 250,000 members. For eligible Singaporeans and their families, the MRSS represents one of the most compelling, risk-free returns available in the market today—provided the eligibility criteria are understood and the top-up is actually made.

This article explains how the scheme works, who qualifies in 2026, what has changed with the expanded disability provisions, and how the MRSS fits within a broader retirement planning framework.

What is MRSS?

Launched in 2021, the MRSS aims to help senior Singaporeans with lower CPF balances build sufficient retirement savings to cover basic living expenses. The scheme targets members whose RA savings fall below the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS)—S$110,200 for 2026— the threshold CPF Board uses as a proxy for adequate basic retirement income.

The matching grant is credited automatically to the eligible member’s RA at the start of the following year after the top-up. Importantly, the top-up can be made by anyone—the member, a family member, an employer, or a caregiver—and the grant accrues to the eligible member regardless of who contributes. There is no minimum top-up amount, though topping up at least S$2,000 is necessary to capture the full annual matching grant.

The compounding effect of the scheme is material. Every matched dollar earns CPF interest of up to 6% per annum on retirement savings, and a higher RA balance translates directly into higher CPF LIFE monthly payouts in retirement. 

Who is eligible for the MRSS (2026)?

Eligibility for the MRSS is assessed automatically each year by the CPF Board, using the previous year’s data. Eligible members are notified at the start of the year via email or letter. The qualifying criteria are as follows:

A technical note for members turning 55 in the assessment year: if the RA has not yet been created at the time CPF Board conducts its assessment, the total of the Ordinary Account (OA) and Special Account (SA) balances is used in place of the RA balance.

Why the disability inclusion for MRSS matters

The most significant structural change to the MRSS in 2026 is the extension of eligibility to verified Singaporeans with disabilities at any age. Prior to this change, the scheme was limited to citizens aged 55 and above. The expansion reflects a recognition that retirement savings gaps are not exclusively a function of age—Singaporeans with disabilities often face structurally lower earnings and contribution histories across their working lives, leaving them more exposed to retirement inadequacy.

For eligible members below 55, the matching grant is credited to the Special Account (SA) rather than the RA, since the RA is only created at age 55. SA balances earn CPF interest and are subsequently transferred to the RA at 55, where they contribute to CPF LIFE monthly payouts. The practical effect is that younger Singaporeans with disabilities can begin compounding government-matched retirement savings significantly earlier in their financial lifecycle.

Disability status verification is a one-time process administered by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). Members who have already been verified with MSF do not need to reapply. The scheme also maintains the same inclusive top-up structure as the broader MRSS—family members, employers, caregivers, and community organisations can all make contributions on behalf of eligible members.

How much is the MRSS grant?

The MRSS matching grant operates on a straightforward dollar-for-dollar basis, capped at S$2,000 per year per eligible member, with a lifetime limit of S$20,000. Top-ups above the S$2,000 threshold in a given year do not attract additional matching grants, though they may qualify for income tax relief under the Retirement Sum Topping-Up Scheme (RSTU)—up to S$8,000 per year for top-ups to one’s own account and a further S$8,000 for top-ups to a loved one’s account.

There is an important trade-off to understand. Top-ups that attract the MRSS matching grant—the first S$2,000 contributed in a given year—do not qualify for income tax relief. For most eligible members, whose marginal tax rates tend to be modest given the income eligibility threshold of S$4,000 per month, the 100% immediate return from the matching grant is the more compelling benefit. 

That said, for members with higher taxable income who happen to qualify under the other criteria, it is worth evaluating both benefits before deciding how to structure annual top-ups.

How do you make a CPF top-up for an MRSS grant?

No application is required to participate in the MRSS. Once CPF Board has assessed and confirmed eligibility for the year, the member simply needs to make a qualifying cash top-up to the relevant account by the applicable deadline:

• One-time top-up via PayNow: By 31 December of the eligible year.
• Recurring top-up via GIRO: By 31 October of the eligible year to ensure processing.

Top-ups can be made via the CPF website or the CPF Mobile app. Members can check their MRSS eligibility at any time via the CPF Retirement Dashboard, which requires a Singpass login. The matching grant is credited automatically to the eligible member’s RA or SA at the start of the following year, with no further action required.

The MRSS and the new Matched MediSave Scheme (MMSS)

The MRSS does not operate in isolation. From 1 January 2026, the government has also introduced the Matched MediSave Scheme (MMSS), a new five-year pilot that provides a dollar-for-dollar match on cash top-ups to the MediSave Account (MA), capped at S$1,000 per year. Around 165,000 Singaporeans are eligible for both schemes, and may receive up to S$3,000 in combined matching grants in 2026.

The two schemes address different dimensions of retirement adequacy. The MRSS targets retirement income through higher RA balances and higher CPF LIFE payouts; the MMSS addresses healthcare cost coverage through higher MediSave balances. 

For members who qualify for both, the allocation decision between the two depends on individual circumstances—in particular, anticipated healthcare spending relative to the current adequacy of retirement savings. Members with more pressing healthcare funding needs may reasonably prioritise the MMSS, while those focused on maximising retirement income should direct contributions to the RA under the MRSS first.

What are the investment implications for the MRSS?

When applicable, the MRSS is a rare and valuable asset in one's personal finance tool kit: a government-guaranteed, 100% immediate return with no market risk. For every eligible dollar contributed, the government contributes an equal amount, and those funds then earn up to 6% per annum in CPF interest. 

The more nuanced question is what the MRSS does and does not solve. CPF LIFE provides a foundation of retirement income, but for many Singaporeans, particularly those in the lower-savings cohorts the MRSS targets, that foundation will fall short of a comfortable retirement. The MRSS meaningfully improves the position of eligible members, but it is a complement to broader retirement planning, not a substitute for it.

At Endowus, we help investors build long-term, diversified portfolios that work alongside their CPF savings— including through the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS)—which allows members to invest their OA or SA balances for potentially higher long-run returns. 

For eligible members who have maximised their MRSS contribution and are looking to grow their retirement savings further, this represents the logical next step in building a more complete retirement income strategy.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to apply for the MRSS?

No. The CPF Board assesses eligibility automatically each year using the previous year’s data. Eligible members are notified at the start of the year. The only action required is making a qualifying cash top-up by the relevant deadline.

Can a family member top up on my behalf?

Yes. Anyone including family members, employers, caregivers, and community members may make cash top-ups to an eligible member’s RA or SA. The matching grant is credited to the eligible member’s account regardless of who makes the contribution.

What happens if I top up more than S$2,000 in a year?

Top-ups above S$2,000 do not attract additional MRSS matching grants, but may qualify for income tax relief under the RSTU—up to S$8,000 per year for top-ups to one’s own account and a further S$8,000 for a loved one’s account. The first S$2,000 attracting the MRSS grant is not eligible for tax relief.

Does the MRSS increase my CPF LIFE payout?

Indirectly, yes. The matching grant increases the balance in your RA, and CPF LIFE monthly payouts are determined by the RA balance at the point of plan commencement. Over time, the compounding effect of a higher RA balance earning CPF interest may meaningfully increase monthly retirement income.