Retirement Age in Singapore: 2026 MOM Guide on Retirement, Re-Employment & CPF

What Is the Retirement Age in Singapore?

The statutory minimum retirement age in Singapore is currently 63 years.

Under the Retirement and Re-Employment Act (RRA), an employer is legally prohibited from dismissing an eligible employee before they reach this threshold.

This protection is provided to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) who joined their employer before turning 55.

Employers must offer re-employment to eligible employees who turn 63, up to age 68, to continue their employment in the organisation.

This structured framework ensures that older workers who are willing and able to remain employed are not prematurely excluded from the workforce.

Reference: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/retirement

Retirement Age Singapore 2025 and 2026 (Upcoming Increase)

The Singapore government has a progressive plan to gradually raise both the retirement age and re-employment age to accommodate longer lifespans and ensure continued economic contribution.

This shift enables businesses to retain experienced talent and improve retirement adequacy for older workers.

Why Is Singapore Increasing Its Retirement Age?

The progressive increase to a final retirement age of 65 by 2030 is a strategic response to several long-term national concerns:

• The Ageing Population

  With a rapidly ageing population, the amendments allow older workers to keep their jobs longer, maintaining economic productivity and mitigating workforce shrinkage.

• Improved Life Quality & Financial Security

  Extending the working years provides continued financial security, reducing the strain on personal savings and improving overall life quality after retirement.

• Retaining Experienced Talent

  Businesses can benefit from the wealth of knowledge and stability that older, experienced employees provide.

The government aims to help elderly citizens stay active and maintain income security through this progressive approach.

MOM’s Retirement and Re-Employment Framework

Understanding the difference between the statutory Retirement Age and Re-employment Age is crucial for legal compliance and effective workforce planning.

Retirement Age

This is the minimum age at which an employee can be lawfully dismissed solely based on age. Employers cannot terminate an employee before this period on the grounds of age alone. This forms the foundational protection against premature dismissal for older workers.

Senior Employment Credit (SEC)

The Senior Employment Credit (SEC) is a government initiative that provides wage offsets to help employers manage the costs of employing older Singaporean workers, with higher support provided for workers in the older age bands.

This support helps businesses adjust to the increased statutory retirement age and re-employment age.

Senior Employment Credit (SEC) Eligibility Criteria

An employer is eligible for the SEC payout (for 2023 to 2026 wages) if they employ:

• Singapore Citizens who are aged 60 and above,
• Earning below S$4,000 per month, and;
• Have made timely mandatory CPF contributions for the eligible employee.

For wages paid between 1 Jan 2024 and 31 Dec 2026, employers can receive an offset of up to 7% of an eligible employee’s monthly wages, depending on their age and wage.

As announced at the Budget 2025, the SEC will be extended until 2026. The qualifying age group for the highest SEC wage support tier will increase to 69 years in 2026 (up from 68 years in 2025).

This continued support aims to make it easier for companies to hire and retain our senior workforce.

To learn more, you may visit the official IRAS guidelines on Senior Employment Credit (SEC) scheme.

Reference: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/retirement

Re-employment Age Singapore

Eligible employees have a legal right to continue working beyond the statutory retirement age. Employers are mandated to offer re-employment to eligible employees, typically in a suitable role, up to a specified age.

Re-Employment Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for re-employment, the employee must:

• Be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Have served the current employer for at least 2 years before turning 63 (for employees hired at age 55 and above).
• Have satisfactory work performance, as assessed by the employer.
• Be medically fit to continue working.

If an eligible employee cannot be re-employed, the employer must:

1. Transfer the re-employment obligation to another employer (with the employee’s agreement), OR
2. Offer a one-off Employment Assistance Payment (EAP).

Employment Assistance Payment (EAP)

The EAP is offered only after a thorough review, as a last resort, meant to help employees find alternative employment.

There will be a one-off payment equivalent to 3.5 months' salary, subject to a minimum of S$6,250 and a maximum of S$14,750.

For employees who have been re-employed for at least 30 months or more after turning 63, a reduced Employment Assistance Payment (EAP) can be considered. This amount is 2 months' salary, with a minimum of S$4,000 and a maximum of S$8,500.

Employers are also strongly encouraged to offer outplacement support to help employees secure their next job.

Reference: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/re-employment

How Re-Employment Works After Retirement Age

Employers must offer a re-employment contract for at least one year, renewable yearly up to the maximum re-employment age of 68, or 69 from July 2026.

The first initial contract of re-employment should start on the same day an employee reaches the minimum retirement age of 63.

For instance, if an employee turns 63 on 1 December 2025, their re-employment contract’s initial start date should be 1 December 2025.

The re-employment offer may involve adjusted duties, responsibilities, and, consequently, a potentially adjusted salary, provided it's based on reasonable factors and the Tripartite Guidelines on Re-employment of Older Employees. Employees are encouraged to be flexible during the negotiation process.

For more details, you may look at the official MOM guidelines on Re-Employment in Singapore.

Retirement Age for Foreigners Working in Singapore

In accordance with the Retirement and Re-Employment Act (RRA), the statutory retirement age and re-employment framework apply strictly to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents.

There is no mandated statutory retirement age for foreigners in Singapore. Employment terms, including the contractual end date, are defined by the employment contract.

Their ability to remain employed is contingent upon the continuous renewal of their Work Pass, which depends on MOM's prevailing criteria.

To find out more, you may visit the official MOM guidelines on Renewal of Work Passes in Singapore.

Retirement Age and CPF in Singapore

It's important to note that the statutory retirement age and the CPF contribution structure follow different age markers.

Their primary connection lies in the fact that continuous re-employment necessitates specific CPF contribution rates that must be applied until the employee reaches the age of 70 or above.

What Happens at CPF Age 55?

At age 55, CPF prepares all eligible members for retirement. This is a critical point that involves reshuffling their savings and opening up withdrawal options.

• Creation of the Retirement Account (RA): A new Retirement Account is automatically created on an employee’s 55th birthday.
• Transfer of Savings: Funds from the Special Account (SA) and/or Ordinary Account (OA), are transferred to the new RA up to the Full Retirement Sum (FRS). Savings in the RA earn the same long-term interest rate as the former SA. These funds are earmarked to provide their future monthly retirement payouts.
• Special Account Closure: The SA is subsequently closed. Any remaining SA savings will be transferred to their OA.
• Withdrawal Opportunity:

  • The CPF contributions for employees aged above 55 to 65 will go entirely into the RA to help them reach the FRS. Once the FRS is met, the contributions will go to the OA and will be withdrawable.

    To ensure accurate and compliant CPF contributions with the latest rates, switch to an automated payroll system with a built-in CPF calculator. So you can instantly eliminate manual errors and financial risks.

  • If they cannot meet the FRS, up to S$5,000 of their savings may be set aside in their Ordinary Account. This amount will be withdrawable. Any remaining savings will be transferred to their Retirement Account.

    Note: Starting 1 January 2025, the Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS) will be increased to double the current year’s Full Retirement Sum (FRS). This provides CPF members aged 55 and above the option to voluntarily top up more to their RA for even higher monthly payouts in retirement.

    Reference: https://www.cpf.gov.sg/service/article/what-is-the-change-to-the-enhanced-retirement-sum-in-2025

• CPF Contribution Rate Change: Workers aged 55 and above will see a decrease in their CPF contribution rates. The allocation of contributions will shift to the OA, MediSave Account (MA), and RA.

Reference: https://www.cpf.gov.sg/employer/infohub/news/cpf-related-announcements/new-contribution-rates

You may refer to the detailed CPF contribution rate tables and CPF allocation rate table from 1 January 2026 for more details.

For those who are earning monthly wages of more than $500 to $750, the employee contribution rates continue to be phased in.

To learn more, you may refer to the official CPF guidelines on members reaching age 55 in Singapore.

Reference: https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/retirement-income/milestones/reaching-age-55

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