More Singaporeans eligible for matching government grants this year in efforts to boost retirement and healthcare savings

Summary

The Singapore Government has expanded the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS) and launched the Matched MediSave Scheme (MMSS) in 2026 to encourage cash top-ups to CPF accounts. Around 750,000 people are eligible for the widened MRSS and about 185,000 for the new MMSS; roughly 165,000 may qualify for both and could receive up to S$3,000 in matching grants this year. Automatic eligibility checks and notifications will be issued from end-January 2026.

Key Points

MRSS: dollar-for-dollar match up to S$2,000 per year (lifetime cap S$20,000); expanded in 2026 to include Singaporeans with disabilities and members below certain savings thresholds.
MMSS: new five-year pilot (2026–2030) matching dollar-for-dollar up to S$1,000 per year for MediSave top-ups; matching top-ups do not qualify for personal income tax relief.
Eligibility estimates for 2026: ~750,000 for MRSS, ~185,000 for MMSS, ~165,000 eligible for both schemes.
Record MRSS disbursement in 2025: S$456 million credited to over 250,000 members after 2025 enhancements (age cap removal and higher annual match).
Automatic assessments: MOM, MOH and CPF Board will notify eligible members; matching grants for top-ups made by 31 Dec 2026 will be credited at the start of 2027.
Top-ups that receive matching grants cannot claim the usual CPF top-up tax relief; top-ups without matching grants may still qualify for tax relief up to S$16,000 per year.

Content summary

The MRSS, launched in 2021 and enhanced in 2025, now has no upper age cap and offers higher annual matching to help seniors with lower retirement savings. From 1 January 2026 the MRSS also covers Singaporeans with disabilities of all ages, allowing younger members to top up their Special Account (SA) as well as Retirement Account (RA) and receive matching grants.

The MMSS began on 1 January 2026 as a five-year pilot to boost MediSave balances for those with lower MA savings; it matches top-ups dollar-for-dollar up to S$1,000 a year. Both schemes share common eligibility checks (property and income conditions) and the same range of permitted donors for top-ups (member, family, employer or community members including caregivers).

Context and relevance

This policy package responds to concerns about retirement adequacy and healthcare preparedness as Singapore’s population ages. It sits alongside other CPF measures and Budget 2025 announcements aimed at strengthening household buffers for retirement and medical needs. For HR teams, payroll administrators and financial planners, the changes affect employee benefits advice, voluntary top-up communications and tax-relief considerations.

Why should I read this?

If you live or work in Singapore (or manage staff there), this affects people’s retirement and healthcare cushions — and could change advice you give about CPF top-ups. Quick read: it tells you who’s newly eligible, how much the government will match, and the key tax caveat. Handy if you want to nudge someone to top up the right account.

Author note

Punchy summary: big expansions and a new pilot mean more people can get free government matching when they boost CPF balances. The MRSS expansion plus the MMSS pilot is a notable policy push — worth reading in full if you advise employees or plan personal CPF moves.