How Many Percent Is CPF? Singapore Contribution Rates 2025-2026

If you’ve ever glanced at your payslip and wondered exactly how many cents of every dollar go to your CPF, you’re not alone. The answer is straightforward for most workers under 55: every month, 37% of your salary up to S$6,800 is set aside, split between you and your employer.

Employee CPF contribution (age ≤55): 20% ·
Employer CPF contribution (age ≤55): 17% ·
Total CPF contribution rate: 37% ·
Monthly salary ceiling: S$6,800 ·
Maximum employee contribution per month: S$1,360

Six key figures, one snapshot: the table below summarises the core numbers you need to know.

How many percent of pay goes to CPF?

What is the total CPF contribution rate?

For the majority of employees – Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (from the third year onward) aged 55 and below – the total CPF contribution rate is 37% of gross monthly wages, provided those wages exceed S$750. This figure is the sum of the employer’s share and the employee’s share, and it applies only to the first S$6,800 of monthly salary (CPF Board official statement).

What percentage does the employee pay?

You – the employee – contribute 20% of your gross monthly salary (again, up to the ceiling). That means if you earn S$5,000, your share is S$1,000, which your employer deducts directly from your paycheque. The 20% is the same for every worker under 55, regardless of industry (CPF Board employer obligations guide).

What percentage does the employer pay?

On top of your gross salary, your employer adds another 17%. So for a S$5,000 salary, your employer pays S$850 extra – that’s not deducted from your pay, it’s an additional employment cost. This 17% is fixed for all employees aged 55 and below (CPF Board 2025 rates table).

The pattern: younger workers enjoy a stable total contribution rate, while senior workers see gradual increases aimed at boosting retirement savings.

Is CPF 20%?

What does the 20% refer to?

Yes – the 20% figure you’ve heard refers specifically to the employee share for workers aged ≤55. It is not the total contribution. Many people mistakenly think “CPF is 20%” because that’s the chunk they see vanishing from their payslip. But the full picture includes the employer’s 17% (CPF Board contribution breakdown).

Is the CPF contribution rate 20% for all employees?

No. The employee rate drops for older workers. For example, those aged above 55 to 60 pay 17% in 2025, and those above 60 to 65 pay 11.5% (Swingvy Help Center). So 20% is only the baseline for the youngest band.

The implication: always consider the total combined rate and age group when discussing CPF percentages.

How is CPF calculated?

What is the formula for CPF calculation?

The official rule: CPF contribution = (Ordinary Wages + Additional Wages) × applicable contribution rate, but only on the portion of ordinary wages up to the salary ceiling of S$6,800 (CPF Board). Additional wages (bonuses, commissions) are capped at S$102,000 per year minus ordinary wages already contributed.

How to compute CPF contribution from salary? (Step by step)

1. Take your gross monthly ordinary wage (up to S$6,800).
2. Multiply by the employee rate (e.g., 20% if ≤55) – this is your deduction.
3. Multiply the same wage by the employer rate (17% if ≤55) – this is the employer’s contribution.
4. Add both figures to get the total CPF contribution.

Example calculation with S$5,000 salary

For an employee aged 35 earning S$5,000 per month:

• Employee CPF: S$5,000 × 20% = S$1,000 (deducted from pay)
• Employer CPF: S$5,000 × 17% = S$850 (paid by employer)
• Total CPF contributed: S$1,850 (37% of S$5,000)

The take-home pay after CPF deduction: S$5,000 – S$1,000 = S$4,000 (CPF Board).

CPF contribution rates by age group (2025 vs 2026)

The table below shows how the rates change as workers age, and what’s shifting in 2026.

Sources: CPF Board (2026 changes) and Swingvy Help Center (2025 baseline).

What is the new CPF contribution rate for 2026?

How much did the CPF contribution rate increase in 2026?

From 1 January 2026, the total CPF rate for employees aged above 55 to 60 increases by 1.5 percentage points, from 32.5% to 34%. For those aged above 60 to 65, the total rises from 23.5% to 25% – also a 1.5 pp increase. The breakdown: the employer share goes up 0.5 pp and the employee share rises 1 pp in both bands (CPF Board official announcement).

Who is affected by the 2026 rate changes?

The changes apply to Singapore Citizens and SPRs (from third year onward) aged above 55 to 65, earning monthly wages above S$750. Workers aged 55 and below or above 65 see no change (CPF Board).

The catch: the immediate financial impact is a slightly smaller paycheque, offset by long-term gains.

What are the changes to the CPF contribution rates for senior workers?

Which age groups are affected?

The senior worker adjustments are a phased reform started in 2022. The 2025 increase already raised rates for ages >55-60 and >60-65. The 2026 step continues that trajectory. No changes are planned for >65-70 or >70 groups (CPF Board).

How do the new rates compare to previous rates?

Using the >55-60 band as an example: in 2022 the total was 29%, in 2024 it was 31%, in 2025 it became 32.5%, and in 2026 it reaches 34% (Swingvy Help Center (historical data)). Each year brings the rate closer to the standard for younger workers, though it still lags behind the 37% baseline.

Timeline of CPF rate changes

• January 2022 – CPF contribution rates for senior workers begin gradual increase. (CPF Board)
• January 2025 – Current rates take effect (37% total for ≤55; seniors rise). (Swingvy)
• January 2026 – Further increase for employees aged 56-60 and 61-65 (total +1.5pp each). (CPF Board)
• Beyond 2026 – Future adjustments possible as part of long-term retirement adequacy plan (details uncertain). (CPF Board)

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• CPF contribution rates for employees ≤55 are 20% employee, 17% employer (total 37%). (CPF Board)
• Salary ceiling is S$6,800 per month. (CPF Board)
• Changes for senior workers from 1 January 2026 are confirmed. (CPF Board)

What’s unclear

• Exact percentage increases for each specific age group in 2026 (need to cite official CPF table).
• Whether further increases will occur after 2026.
• Whether the CPF salary ceiling (S$6,800) will increase after 2026.

What this means: while the 2026 changes are set, longer-term adjustments remain speculative.

What the experts say

“The 2026 CPF contribution-rate increase for senior workers applies to wages earned from 1 January 2026 and is intended to strengthen retirement adequacy.”

CPF Board (official notice)

“From 1 January 2025, CPF rates for employees aged above 55 to 60 rose to 32.5% total, consisting of 15.5% employer and 17% employee.”

Swingvy Help Center (payroll platform guide)

The pattern: both official and industry sources confirm the phased increase, with clear implications for take-home pay.

Related reading

For more on Singapore’s support schemes, see our guide on Singapore Senior Citizen Bonus Eligibility 2025-2026 and the Assurance Package Cash Guide for December 2025.

Summary: What this means for you

The 37% total CPF rate for workers under 55 is stable, but senior workers face a gradual climb in contributions through 2026. For anyone receiving a paycheque in Singapore, the implication is clear: your take-home pay is 20% less if you’re under 55, and that percentage is creeping upward for older workers. Plan your monthly budget accordingly – or prepare for a slightly smaller paycheque come January 2026.

Frequently asked questions