Why should I split my emergency fund into a 3-tier structure?

Keeping 6–12 months of cash in a standard bank account earns negligible interest or drags investment returns. A 3-tier structure keeps 1–2 months instantly accessible in an HYSA, while placing the remainder in higher-yielding, capital-guaranteed instruments like SSBs or Money Market Funds.

Are money market funds and Singapore Savings Bonds (SSBs) safe for emergency funds?

Singapore Savings Bonds are 100% backed by the Government of Singapore (AAA sovereign rating) and can be redeemed in any month without penalty. Money Market funds invest in institutional bank deposits and short-term debt, offering high liquidity with minimal volatility.

Interactive Calculator

Emergency Savings Reserve Planner

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Calculate essential living expense burn rate, risk-adjusted target months, 3-tier liquid allocation (HYSA, Cash Mgt, SSBs), and retrenchment shock stress test.

Singapore Personal Finance Safety Net

Emergency Savings Reserve Planner

Calculate exact monthly living expense burn rate, risk-adjusted target months, 3-tier liquidity allocation (MariBank HYSA, Cash Management, SSBs), and crisis shock simulation.

Select Benchmark Persona Preset:

Risk Profile & Income Setup

Adjust employment stability and dependents to determine financial safety parameters.

Employment Stability

Household Dependents

Gross Monthly IncomeFor benchmark ratio

$/mo

Target Reserve Duration4 Months

3m (Min)Rec: 4m18m (Max)

Emergency Fund Readiness Verdict3.0 Months Runway

$8,780SGD Target

You hold $6,500 in liquid cash (3.0 months runway). You are currently $2,280 short of your target.

Monthly Outflow

$2,195

essential burn / mo

Liquid Savings

$6,500

74% of goal

Passive Yield

+$281

per year (@ 3.2%)

Reserve Funding Progress74% Funded ($6,500 / $8,780)

Savings Milestone: At your current monthly contribution of $750/month, you will reach your full 4-month reserve target of $8,780 in 4 months (0.3 years).

Emergency Reserve Trajectory

Includes monthly top-up + compound interest

Liquid Reserve Growth

4-Month Target Goal ($8,780)

Clear Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

The general rule of thumb is 3 to 6 months of essential living expenses for salaried employees with dual-income households. Single-income families, self-employed individuals, or those in volatile tech/commission sectors should maintain 6 to 12 months.

Emergency Savings Reserve Planner

Emergency Savings Reserve Planner

Risk Profile & Income Setup

Emergency Reserve Trajectory

How is this calculated?

Frequently Asked Questions