HDB Lease Buyback Scheme Calculator (2026)
Estimate your LBS proceeds, CPF RA top-up requirement, and cash payout.
What is the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme?
The HDB Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) allows eligible Singapore Citizens aged 65 and above who own a 3-room or smaller HDB flat to sell part of their flat's remaining lease back to HDB, while continuing to live in the flat. In return, owners receive a cash proceeds lump sum, part of which is used to top up their CPF Retirement Account (RA) to the applicable retirement sum. The remaining amount is paid in cash.
Your Details
Retain at least 30 years (until age 95).
Rule of thumb: retain until age 95 = 30 years.
FRS 2026 = $205,800. Top-up fills gap to FRS first.
Estimated Proceeds
Lease Years Being Sold
30 yrs
Estimated Gross Proceeds
$165,000
CPF RA Top-Up (to FRS)
$125,800
Goes to Retirement Account → CPF LIFE payouts from age 65
Estimated Cash Payout
$39,200
Paid directly to you after RA top-up
⚠️ Estimates only. Actual proceeds depend on HDB valuation of your specific flat and location. Verify with HDB directly before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme?expand_more
The Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) allows elderly HDB flat owners (aged 65+) to sell the tail-end of their flat's lease back to HDB. The proceeds are used to top up the CPF Retirement Account to the Full Retirement Sum (FRS), with any remaining cash paid out directly. The owner retains enough lease to last until at least age 95.
Who is eligible for the Lease Buyback Scheme?expand_more
To be eligible: at least one owner must be aged 65 or above, the flat must be an HDB flat (3-room or larger), you must have lived in the flat for at least 5 years, you must retain at least 20 years of lease, and your household income must not exceed $14,000/month.
How much will I receive from the Lease Buyback Scheme?expand_more
Proceeds depend on HDB's valuation of your flat and the number of lease years you sell. The proceeds are first used to top up your CPF Retirement Account to the Full Retirement Sum ($205,800 in 2026). Any amount above the FRS top-up is paid as cash. This calculator provides an estimate only — actual amounts are determined by HDB.
How many lease years do I need to retain?expand_more
You must retain enough lease to last until the youngest owner reaches at least age 95. A practical rule of thumb: retain (95 − youngest owner's age) years. The minimum is 20 years.
Can I use Lease Buyback proceeds to buy another property?expand_more
No. LBS proceeds that go to your CPF Retirement Account are locked in for CPF LIFE payouts from age 65. The cash portion (if any) can be used freely, but you cannot use LBS proceeds to purchase property — you are retaining your current HDB flat.
Quick Reference
- • Eligible: SC flat owners aged 65 and above, 3-room or smaller HDB flats (4/5-room if at least one owner is aged 65)
- • Minimum lease to retain: flat owner must retain at least 20 years of remaining lease (or up to age 95, whichever is longer)
- • CPF RA top-up: proceeds first used to top up RA to the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS)
- • Bonus: $10,000 cash bonus for 3-room or smaller flats; $7,500 for 4-room; $5,000 for 5-room
- • Remaining proceeds after RA top-up are paid as cash
- • Annual income ceiling: $14,000 per household
- • HDB loan outstanding must be repaid using proceeds
How the Lease Buyback Scheme Works
Under the Lease Buyback Scheme, you agree to sell part of your flat's remaining lease back to HDB. HDB calculates the buyback amount based on the flat's current value and the length of lease you are selling back.
The proceeds flow in a specific order. First, any outstanding HDB loan is repaid. Next, CPF monies previously withdrawn for housing are refunded to your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) with accrued interest. After these deductions, the remaining amount goes towards topping up your CPF Retirement Account (RA) to the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS). Once the BRS is met, any excess is paid to you in cash.
The key benefit is that the monthly CPF LIFE payouts funded by the RA top-up provide a guaranteed income for life, making LBS particularly suited for seniors who need to supplement their retirement income but wish to remain in their flat.
LBS Eligibility Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme?expand_more
To be eligible, you must be a Singapore Citizen aged 65 or above, own and live in a 3-room or smaller HDB flat (4-room and 5-room flats also became eligible from 2024), have a remaining lease of at least 20 years, have a monthly household income not exceeding $14,000, and have not previously sold or transferred your flat under LBS or SERS.
How much lease do I need to keep?expand_more
You must retain at least 20 years of remaining lease, or retain the lease up to age 95 (whichever is longer). For example, if you are 70, you would need to retain at least 25 years (70 + 25 = 95). The lease you sell back to HDB is the difference between the current remaining lease and the lease you retain.
What happens to my CPF money and HDB loan?expand_more
From the LBS proceeds, HDB first deducts any outstanding HDB loan balance. Next, any CPF principal and accrued interest used for housing is refunded to your CPF account. The balance then tops up your CPF Retirement Account (RA) to the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS). Any remaining cash after the RA top-up is paid to you directly. This process is mandatory — you cannot receive cash before the RA is topped up to BRS.
What is the LBS cash bonus?expand_more
HDB provides a cash bonus on top of the LBS proceeds. The bonus is $10,000 for owners of 3-room or smaller flats, $7,500 for 4-room flat owners, and $5,000 for 5-room flat owners. This bonus is paid directly in cash and is not subject to the CPF RA top-up requirement.
Can I still rent out rooms after joining LBS?expand_more
Yes. You can continue to rent out spare bedrooms in your flat after joining the Lease Buyback Scheme, subject to the standard HDB room rental rules and income limits. However, you must continue to live in the flat as your primary residence — you cannot rent out the entire flat while on LBS.
Sources
- • HDB — Lease Buyback Scheme eligibility and proceeds (hdb.gov.sg)
- • CPF Board — Retirement Account and CPF LIFE (cpf.gov.sg)
- • MND — Silver Housing Bonus and lease buyback enhancements (mnd.gov.sg)