Singapore (SG)
Singapore is a city-state island nation at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and one of the world's foremost global cities.
Social Security in Singapore
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Singapore's social protection system is fundamentally different from European welfare states. There is NO unemployment insurance, NO state pension for foreign nationals, and NO universal basic income. The system is built on individual responsibility and targeted assistance for Singapore citizens and PRs. The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is the cornerstone — a compulsory savings scheme for citizens and PRs covering retirement, healthcare, and housing. Foreign nationals on Employment Pass, S Pass, and other work passes do NOT participate in CPF and do NOT have access to most government social benefits. The "3Ms" framework (MediShield Life, MediSave, Medifund) provides health security for citizens and PRs only. For low-income workers, targeted programmes include Workfare Income Supplement (WIS), ComCare, and the Silver Support Scheme — all exclusively for Singapore citizens. PR holders access some but not all benefits. EP holders and other foreign nationals are expected to be self-sufficient, with their employer providing the primary safety net (employment and health insurance).
Foreign Identification Number (FIN) / NRIC
FIN (Foreign Identification Number) for foreign nationals; NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) for citizens and PRs
Employment Pass holders receive a FIN number automatically when the EP is issued — the FIN appears on the physical EP card (format: G or F followed by 7 digits and a letter). Singapore citizens and PRs hold an NRIC (S or T followed by 7 digits and a letter). The FIN/NRIC is your primary identification number for all government and financial transactions in Singapore. You do NOT need to separately apply for a social security number — the FIN is your national ID equivalent. Singpass (your digital national identity) is linked to your FIN. On arrival: collect your EP card from MOM Services Centre (Sin Ming Drive) or have it mailed; Singpass registration requires your FIN and a valid mobile number.
- All government eServices (Singpass login)
- IRAS tax filing (myTax Portal — the FIN is your tax reference number)
- Bank account opening (all Singapore banks require FIN/NRIC)
- Healthcare registration (hospitals, clinics, HealthHub app)
- Employment forms and HR systems
- CPF contributions (for citizens/PRs — EP holders do not use FIN for CPF as they have no CPF account)
- SingPass-linked services: driving licence, vehicle registration, MOE school registration, CPF digital transactions
- Housing applications: HDB flat purchase/rental applications (citizens/PRs)
- Insurance policy linking (life, health, motor)
- NETS and PayNow (linked to FIN for PayNow registration if using mobile number)
Benefits & Support Payments
CPF — Central Provident Fund
CPF
Compulsory savings scheme covering retirement, healthcare (MediSave), and housing (OA for HDB purchase). CPF funds are contributed monthly by employee and employer (employer at 17% for employees ≤55 years old; employee at 20% for ≤55). NOT applicable to Employment Pass holders or any foreign national — only Singapore citizens and PRs.
Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents only. EP, S Pass, and work permit holders are explicitly excluded. PRs in Year 1 and Year 2 contribute at graduated rates (Year 1: employee 5%/employer 4%; Year 2: employee 15%/employer 9%; Year 3+: full rates).
Automatic — employer deducts and contributes via CPF eSubmit or payroll system. Employees register with CPF Board automatically when their PR/citizenship is conferred. Check CPF balance via CPF Online Services (cpf.gov.sg) or the CPF Mobile app linked via Singpass.
MediShield Life
MediShield Life
Universal health insurance scheme for hospitalisation and certain outpatient treatments. Premiums paid from CPF MediSave Account. NOT applicable to Employment Pass holders — only citizens and PRs. Provides a floor of coverage for B2/C class ward hospitalisation in restructured hospitals.
Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents only. Foreign nationals on work passes have NO MediShield Life coverage and must arrange private health insurance.
Automatic from birth (for citizens) or from PR approval. Premiums auto-deducted from MediSave. No registration required.
Workfare Income Supplement (WIS)
Workfare Income Supplement
Cash and CPF top-up payments for lower-income Singapore citizens. Supplements income to encourage workforce participation among those earning below S$2,500/month.
Singapore citizens ONLY (not PRs, not EP holders). Must be 30+ years old (35+ for persons with disabilities), resident in Singapore, earning ≤S$2,500/month (gross), not own more than one property.
Automatic disbursement — IRAS and CPF Board assess eligibility based on employer income submissions. No application required if employer submits via AIS (Auto-Inclusion Scheme).
ComCare
ComCare — Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance / Long-Term Assistance
Financial assistance for low-income Singapore citizens and PRs who face difficulties with basic necessities — a social safety net of last resort. Includes cash assistance, medical subsidies, and social service referrals.
Singapore citizens (and some PRs in specific circumstances). Must demonstrate financial hardship and be assessed by a Social Service Office (SSO). Foreign nationals on EP are not eligible.
Apply at a Social Service Office (SSO) — there are 24 SSOs across Singapore. Bring FIN/NRIC, proof of income, bank statements, and supporting documents. Alternatively, approach a Family Service Centre (FSC) for referral.
Silver Support Scheme
Silver Support Scheme
Quarterly cash supplement for elderly Singapore citizens (65+) who had lower incomes during their working years and have fewer retirement savings. Helps elderly Singaporeans with lower CPF balances maintain basic living standards.
Singapore citizens aged 65+ who live in 1–3 room HDB flats (or 4-room with below-threshold household income), with below-threshold CPF balances. Not applicable to PRs or any foreign nationals.
Automatic assessment by CPF Board. No application required for eligible citizens.
Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS)
SRS — Supplementary Retirement Scheme
Voluntary tax-advantaged retirement savings scheme open to Singapore citizens, PRs, AND foreigners on work passes (including EP holders). Contributions to SRS are tax-deductible (reduces assessable income); withdrawals after statutory retirement age are 50% taxable. Funds can be invested in stocks, unit trusts, insurance, and fixed deposits.
All Singapore tax residents including EP holders (must have a Singapore income tax filing number). Open an SRS account at DBS, OCBC, or UOB.
Visit DBS/OCBC/UOB branch or open online with SRS account application. You must have an existing bank account with the same bank. Link the SRS account to your IRAS tax reference (FIN) for tax reporting.
Contribution Overview
CPF contributions apply ONLY to Singapore citizens and PRs. Employment Pass and S Pass holders have NO CPF obligations — neither deductions from the employee's salary nor contributions from the employer. The employer's only contribution for EP holders is the Skills Development Levy (SDL): 0.25% of monthly wages, capped at a contribution of S$11.25/month (on wages up to S$4,500; minimum S$2/month). SDL funds the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) training grants — EP holders can access some SSG-funded training programmes. Foreign workers on Work Permits are subject to the Foreign Worker Levy (FWL) paid by the employer (not deducted from worker's salary): S$450–650/month for S Pass holders depending on sector; higher for Work Permit holders in construction and manufacturing.
International Social Security Agreements
Singapore has bilateral social security agreements with Japan (effective 2021) and Germany (effective 2018). These agreements prevent double payment of social security contributions for workers temporarily posted between Singapore and the respective country, and allow contribution periods in one country to be counted for eligibility purposes in the other. For EP holders from Japan or Germany: contributions made to your home country's pension system during your Singapore posting may be recognised when calculating your home country pension entitlements. Check with your home country's social security agency and your employer's global mobility team. Singapore does NOT have totalization agreements with the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, France, or most other countries.
The key message for EP holders: Singapore does not provide a social safety net for foreign nationals. You are responsible for your own retirement savings (SRS, private pension, home-country pension), health insurance (employer group policy + supplemental personal), and income protection (personal income protection insurance, emergency fund). The upside: Singapore's low income tax (0–24%) and no CPF deductions for EP holders means significantly higher take-home pay than in most developed countries, which should be used to self-fund these protections. Financial advisers in Singapore who work with expats will typically address the "self-funded safety net" challenge as a primary planning objective.
Social Security
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