27 Oct 2025
SOURCE: CPF Board
You're supporting your ageing parents, your children's expenses have just gone up, and you're somehow still trying to secure your own retirement. The increasing pressure on you to do more for your finances is real, and we understand that it can feel overwhelming. If this sounds familiar, you're probably part of the sandwich generation caught in this endless tug-of-war.
The good news? Planning for retirement doesn't require you to completely overhaul your finances, neither does it require you to make huge decisions between your family's needs today and your financial security tomorrow.
In fact, the most effective minor adjustments can go a long way. They work quietly in the background so that you don't have to forego your priorities or add to the weight on your shoulders.
Here are three small tweaks you can make today to boost your retirement savings.
When you're focusing on your children's expenses, medical bills, and family emergencies, it may seem easier and more convenient to push your own needs, like retirement, to the back. But the reality is that only you can take full control of your personal finances and, ultimately, your retirement. Your future is just as important as your loved ones', and you might be doing better than you think or require less adjustment than you fear. So, let’s take the next step and find out where you stand financially.
How? That's where the Retirement Payout Planner comes in handy. It's a quick and easy tool you can use as you’re reading this to check whether your current savings will allow you to live out your dream retirement.
Though it might feel daunting at first to face your financial reality, having a clearer understanding and visualisation of where you stand helps you better plan your next step. This will give you greater confidence and assurance to make wiser, more informed changes.
The idea of setting aside extra funds might feel challenging when you're already balancing various financial responsibilities. But here's what's becoming increasingly popular among other sandwich generation members like you – making cash top-ups to their CPF accounts.
Why? Because these cash top-ups generate greater returns which help to ensure a more secure retirement, bringing peace of mind to both you and your loved ones. The recent surge in top-ups is evident where members hit a record of $6.7 billion in top-ups within the first seven months of 2025. More and more members are recognising the significance of making cash top-ups as it continues to be one of the safest, most effective ways to boost one’s retirement income.
In addition to greater long-term returns, here are the other benefits of cash top-ups:
- You have full control and flexibility over how often and how much you’d like to top up
- Enjoy stable returns of up to 6% in interest which is compounded annually regardless of market conditions
- Get tax relief of up to $16,000 when you make a cash top-up to yourself and loved ones
Why not give it a go? Try making a small top-up today.
An even smaller adjustment you can make today is transferring your existing OA savings to your SA.
You're probably wondering how this helps boost your retirement income. Well, by transferring your OA monies to your SA, the same amount works even harder for you by earning the base interest of 4% compared to the OA's 2.5%. In short, the same dollar in your account could be earning significantly more over the years if it were in your SA instead.
However, if you intend to use your OA savings for housing, carefully consider how much you'd like to transfer, as CPF transfers are irreversible and cannot be withdrawn for other purposes.
Recognising the challenges of the sandwich generation, the three adjustments mentioned above serve as practical solutions you can use when things get overwhelming.
Start with whichever step you feel most comfortable with now. Try the Retirement Payout Planner, set up a GIRO automated top-up, or transfer some funds from your OA to SA. Or do all three today!
Remember, you don't have to overhaul your financial plans. These small tweaks you choose to make today will work hard for you in the background, giving you peace of mind to focus on your loved ones whilst securing your future.
Information in this article is accurate as at the date of publication.
