You can help your spouse retire with peace of mind by using the CPF Retirement Topping-Up Scheme.
TOP UP HER SPECIAL ACCOUNT (BEFORE AGE 55) OR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (AFTER AGE 55)
Some women might have lower balances in their CPF accounts as they might have left the workforce to look after the family and might have accumulated little in CPF savings. As women have a longer life expectancy, this means they need to have more retirement savings.
With CPF Life, you can hedge against the risk of outliving your savings as you get a payout for as long as you live.
A CPF member with at least $60,000 in his Retirement Account at his payout eligibility age will automatically be placed on CPF Life, which provides him with greater assurance in retirement.
It is a win-win situation if you make a cash top-up for your spouse. Your spouse will have more during retirement and you (as a giver) could enjoy tax relief of up to $7,000 per year. Terms and conditions apply. For example, Mr Loo died at the age of 66 and has a bequest of $100,000 in his CPF. His wife, who is the beneficiary, will get the lump-sum payout.
However, if Mr Loo had topped up his wife's CPF account, she would enjoy a monthly stream of lifelong payouts when he is no longer around.
Last year, the CPF Board made it easier for members to top up their spouses' accounts. Members only need to set aside the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) instead of the Full Retirement Sum before topping up their spouses' CPF accounts.
Last year, about 2,700 members made CPF transfers to their spouses. This is about 70 per cent more than in 2015. About one-third of the increase was a result of CPF enhancements.
One in five of the spouses who received transfers now have at least the BRS.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?
If you have an outstanding home loan, do ensure that you are covered under the Home Protection Scheme or with mortgage reducing insurance policy.
A mortgage-reducing insurance policy helps to pay for your outstanding home loan should you become permanently unfit to work - or die.
