CPF in 2026: the rates and ceilings that set your paycheck
CPF, plus a small self-help group fund contribution (CDAC, ECF, MBMF or SINDA, which you can opt out of), is all that comes off a typical Singapore payslip, and 2026 completes the four-year ceiling increase that has been trimming higher earners' take-home since 2023.
The 2026 numbers
| Age | Employee | Employer | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 and below | 20% | 17% | 37% |
| Above 55-60 | 18% | 16% | 34% |
| Above 60-65 | 12.5% | 12.5% | 25% |
| Above 65-70 | 7.5% | 9% | 16.5% |
| Above 70 | 5% | 7.5% | 12.5% |
Contributions apply to Ordinary Wages up to S$8,000 a month from 1 January 2026, the final step of the schedule that raised the ceiling from S$6,000. Bonuses (Additional Wages) are covered up to S$102,000 minus your CPF-subject annual salary. Above the ceilings, pay is CPF-free, which is why take-home percentage improves at higher salaries.
Where the money goes
Contributions split across three accounts: Ordinary (housing, investment, education), Special (retirement, higher interest) and MediSave (healthcare, insurance premiums). Employer money is real compensation: a S$6,000 salary actually costs the employer S$7,020 and lands S$2,220 a month into your CPF accounts in total.
What it means for internationals
EP and S Pass holders neither contribute nor receive CPF: the salary quoted is closer to cash, but with no employer top-up. New PRs contribute at graduated rates for the first two years (not yet modelled in our calculator). Comparing offers across countries? The UK vs Singapore and Germany vs Singapore pages show the deduction gap honestly, and CPF, unlike most taxes, remains your money.
See your own numbers in the Singapore salary calculator, including the tax bill IRAS will assess separately.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CPF Ordinary Wage ceiling in 2026?
From 1 January 2026 the ceiling rises to S$8,000 a month, completing the four-year increase from S$6,000. Wages above this amount are not subject to CPF contributions for either the employee or employer.
How are CPF contributions split across the three accounts?
Contributions are divided between the Ordinary Account (housing, investment, education), the Special Account (retirement savings at a higher interest rate) and MediSave (healthcare costs and insurance premiums). The split varies by age.
Do Employment Pass and S Pass holders contribute to CPF?
No. EP and S Pass holders neither contribute to nor receive CPF. The salary quoted is closer to cash, but there is no employer CPF top-up, unlike for Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
Sources: CPF Board rates from 1 Jan 2026. Last updated 2026-11-04.