KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- CPF contribution rates in Singapore stay at 37% for workers aged 55 and below in 2026.
- Both monthly pay and bonuses can attract CPF — but salary ceilings still apply.
- If your CPF looks lower than expected, it could be a compliance issue worth checking early.
CPF isn’t just a line item on your payslip. For most Singaporeans, it decides how much you can afford for housing, your healthcare buffer, and what retirement looks like decades later. That’s why CPF questions keep popping up as we head into 2026, especially with wages rising and cost of living still biting.
Many employees only notice CPF when something feels “off” — the credited amount looks low, bonuses don’t seem reflected, or payments appear late. Employers, on the other hand, worry about ceilings, deadlines, and penalties. Honestly speaking, a small CPF mistake today can snowball into a big issue later.
Quick CPF Contribution Snapshot for 2026
| Item | Details for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Employee CPF rate (≤ 55 years) | 20% of wages |
| Employer CPF rate (≤ 55 years) | 17% of wages |
| Total CPF contribution | 37% of wages |
| Ordinary Wage (OW) ceiling | S$6,800 per month |
| Additional Wage (AW) ceiling | S$102,000 – total OW for the year |
| CPF payment deadline | 14th of the following month |
Who Manages CPF — and What It’s For
CPF is Singapore’s mandatory social security scheme, overseen by the CPF Board under the Ministry of Manpower. Contributions don’t go into one pot. They’re split across three accounts, each with a clear purpose.
Your Ordinary Account (OA) is mainly for housing, insurance, and approved investments. The Special Account (SA) is focused on long-term retirement savings, while MediSave (MA) covers healthcare expenses and insurance premiums. Every dollar contributed is tagged to one of these buckets.
How Much CPF Should You Receive in 2026?
If you’re 55 years old or below, the contribution rates in 2026 remain at 20% from you and 17% from your employer, based on your CPF-applicable wages.
For example, if your gross monthly salary is S$4,000:
- Employee CPF: S$800
- Employer CPF: S$680
- Total CPF credited: S$1,480
If the numbers don’t roughly match this ratio (after accounting for ceilings), that’s usually a red flag worth checking.
CPF Salary Ceilings You Need to Know
CPF doesn’t apply to unlimited income. There are two key caps.
The Ordinary Wage ceiling is S$6,800 per month. Any monthly pay above that won’t attract CPF. On top of that, Additional Wages like bonuses are capped annually at S$102,000 minus your total OW for the year. Once you hit this limit, bonuses stop attracting CPF.
What Payments Actually Attract CPF?
This part causes the most confusion. CPF applies to wages, not every dollar you receive.
Payments That Usually Attract CPF
Monthly Ordinary Wages include your basic salary, fixed allowances (transport, meal, shift), overtime pay, and regular commissions. These are straightforward and almost always CPF-applicable.
Additional Wages cover non-monthly payments such as annual bonuses, performance bonuses, profit-sharing, leave encashment, and irregular commissions. These attract CPF too, but only up to the AW ceiling.
A simple rule of thumb: If it’s cash, paid for work done, and not a reimbursement, CPF usually applies.
Payments That Do Not Attract CPF
CPF is not payable on genuine reimbursements like medical or transport claims, overseas allowances, retrenchment benefits, payments made after death, stock options, or non-cash perks such as company car usage or accommodation.
Who Is Legally Entitled to CPF Contributions?
CPF is mandatory for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, regardless of job type. Full-time staff, part-time workers, contract employees, temporary staff, and even daily-rated workers all qualify.
There’s also no minimum salary threshold. Even if you earn below S$750 a month, CPF still applies.
CPF does not apply to foreigners on Work Passes or genuine freelancers and independent contractors. That said, employers cannot simply label someone a “freelancer” to avoid CPF if the working relationship looks like employment. This is something authorities actively enforce.
When Must CPF Be Paid?
CPF contributions must be paid by the 14th day of the following month. If your January 2026 salary is paid, CPF must be credited by 14 February 2026.
Late payments attract interest and can trigger enforcement action. Repeat offenders can even face prosecution. CPF payment records are cross-checked alongside tax filings, so delays don’t usually go unnoticed.
How to Check If Your CPF Is Correctly Paid
It’s worth spending five minutes each month to verify your CPF. Check that your gross salary aligns with the CPF credited, confirm that the employer portion is included, and ensure allocations to OA, SA, and MA look reasonable.
You can do this easily through CPF Online Services using SingPass or by reviewing your monthly CPF statements. Comparing your payslip against CPF transaction history is the safest way to catch issues early.
Common CPF Mistakes Seen in Singapore
Employers often trip up by excluding allowances incorrectly, paying CPF late, misclassifying workers, or miscalculating the Additional Wage ceiling.
Employees, on the other hand, tend to assume CPF is optional for part-time work or don’t review their CPF statements regularly. Waiting too long to flag underpayment makes recovery harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much CPF should I receive every month in 2026?
For workers aged 55 and below, up to 37% of your CPF-applicable wages, subject to the monthly salary ceiling.
Do bonuses in Singapore attract CPF?
Yes. Bonuses are treated as Additional Wages and attract CPF until you hit the annual AW ceiling.
What should I do if my employer doesn’t pay CPF correctly?
You should raise it early and, if needed, report the issue to the CPF Board. Employers can be required to backpay with interest and face penalties.
Why CPF Accuracy Matters in 2026
With healthcare costs rising, housing still expensive, and people living longer, CPF remains the backbone of financial security here. Knowing exactly how much CPF you should receive helps protect your retirement savings and ensures your employer is meeting legal obligations.
If something doesn’t look right, don’t brush it off. CPF errors compound over time, and fixing them early can save you tens of thousands of dollars down the road.
Join