Social Security
A section about Singapore's Social Security.
What is Singapore's Central Provident Fund (CPF)?
The contribution rate varies depending on the age, the wage band and the status of the employee (i.e. Singaporean citizen or Permanent Resident). The maximum amount of CPF contribution payable is currently based on a monthly salary ceiling of $6,000. Voluntary contributions can be paid in addition to the mandatory contributions.
From 2023 to 2026, the CPF monthly salary ceiling will be progressively raised to $8,000. The changes will be implemented in four gradual steps, which gives both employers and employees time to adjust to the new regulations. The CPF annual salary ceiling of $102,000 remains unchanged.
The employee’s share of CPF contribution is deducted from their salary by the employer during the monthly payroll processing. The employer is then required to pay the employer’s and employee’s share of CPF contributions monthly for all employees (Singapore citizens and Singapore PRs) at the rates set out in the CPF Act. The contributions payable should be based on the employee’s actual wages earned for the month.
CPF contributions are not allowed for:
For the purpose of CPF, wages are classified into 2 categories.
Ordinary Wages
Ordinary Wages (OW) refers to the basic salary earned in the month. The CPF contribution on OW is currently capped at $6,000 a month.
Additional Wages
Additional Wages (AW) refers to bonuses and other variable components earned. The CPF contribution on AW is capped based on the following computation:
AW subject to CPF = Total Wages – OW subject to CPF
Total wages are capped at $6,000 x 17 months = $102,000 a year
For example, an employee earning $8,000 a month with an annual bonus of $50,000 will contribute CPF based on the following capping:
OW: CPF will be contributed based on the cap of $6,000 on a monthly basis.
AW: AW subject to CPF =$102,000* – OW subject to CPF for the year
= $102,000 – ($6,000 x 12 months)
= $ 30,000
AW CPF will be contributed based on the cap of $30,000.
*Equivalent to 17 months x $6,000
Core provisions of the Employment Act were updated effective 1st April 2019 to cover all employees. Prior to this, Managers and Executives earning up to $4,500 were excluded from these core provisions. With this change, all employees are now entitled to paid annual leave, paid public holidays and sick leave.
Non-workmen earning up to $2,600 are entitled to overtime pay and are covered under Part IV provisions of the Employment Act. This section of the Act provides for hours of work, rest day and overtime payments to eligible employees.
Managers and executives continue to be excluded from Part IV provisions.
Effective 1st January 2020, the CPF treatment for the reimbursement of employee benefits have been revised as follows:
Employee | Employee's spouse & child | |
Medical treatment reimbursement | Not CPF Payable | Not CPF Payable |
Dental treatment reimbursement | Not CPF Payable | Not CPF Payable* |
Holiday benefits reimbursement | CPF Payable* | CPF Payable |
Other benefits reimbursement | CPF Payable | CPF Payable |
These changes will align the CPF treatment for benefits provided to employees and their dependents.
*Indicates change effective 1st January 2020
Employee benefits paid as cash allowances continue to be CPF contributable.
The CPF monthly salary ceiling will be raised in stages to $8,000 by 2026 to keep pace with rising salaries and help Singaporeans save more for their retirement.
Employees who are earning above $6,000 will benefit from this change.
A summary of the revised contribution rates from September 2023:
CPF Ordinary wage ceiling | CPF annual salary ceiling | |
Current | $6,000 | $102,000 (no change) |
From 1 September 2023 | $6,300 (+$300) | |
From 1 January 2024 | $6,800 (+$500) | |
From 1 January 2025 | $7,400 (+$600) | |
From 1 January 2026 | $8,000 (+$600) |
Click here to download the Doing Business in Singapore 2023 guide
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