Ask any HR manager in Singapore when CPF is due, and most will say "the 14th." They're wrong—or at least, they're giving you the payment deadline, not the statutory due date. In law, CPF contributions are due by the last day of the month. The 14th of the following month is just the latest you can pay without penalty. That distinction matters, because late-payment interest starts running from the first day after the due date, not from the 15th.
This guide covers the deadlines that actually bite—contribution due dates, withdrawal windows, housing timelines, and the nomination rules that catch families off guard.
If you want the technical rules for counting days, see the Technical Reference page.
1. Employer Contribution Deadlines
Statutory due date: last day of the calendar month.
Payment deadline: 14th of the following month (or the next working day if
the 14th falls on a weekend or public holiday).
Late payment interest is 1.5% per month (18% per annum) with a minimum interest charge of $5.
Key detail: Interest starts from the first day after the due date (i.e. the first day of the following month) and is calculated based on the actual number of days the payment is late. For example, a payment made on the 15th would incur 15 days of late-payment interest—not an automatic full month.
2. Penalties for Non-Compliance
The penalties escalate fast—and each month of non-compliance counts as a separate offence:
- Composition: up to $1,000 per offence.
- First conviction: $1,000 to $5,000 and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment.
- Repeat offenders: $2,000 to $10,000 and/or up to 12 months' imprisonment.
- Deducting but not paying employee share: fine up to $10,000 and/or up to 7 years' imprisonment.
The last one is worth noting—deducting CPF from an employee's salary and then not remitting it to CPF Board is treated as a serious offence with potential imprisonment.
3. Voluntary Contribution Deadlines
- Self-employed MediSave: due within 30 days of issuance of the CPF contribution notice.
- Voluntary contributions (VC): anytime before 31 December to qualify for that year's tax relief.
- Top-ups for tax relief: must be done within the relevant Year of Assessment.
4. Withdrawal Windows
- Age 55: withdraw the first $5,000 even if you have not met the Basic Retirement Sum. If you have set aside the required retirement sum, you may withdraw more.
- Payout Eligibility Age (65): monthly payouts begin.
- Housing withdrawal: application must be completed before property completion.
- Leaving Singapore: must meet eligibility rules before CPF can be withdrawn.
5. CPF Housing Deadlines
- HFE letter validity: 9 months (HFE replaced the former HLE letter in 2023). See HDB purchase timelines for how this fits into the broader flat purchase process.
- Refund of housing withdrawals: due at completion when selling.
- Accrued interest: must be refunded with the principal.
- Property charge removal: apply after full repayment.
6. Nominations
CPF nominations have no expiry date—but life events can change them in ways people don't expect:
- Marriage automatically revokes a previous nomination. If you remarry and don't re-nominate, your CPF savings go to the Public Trustee's Office on death—not to your new spouse by default.
- Divorce does not automatically revoke it. Your ex-spouse could still be your nominee unless you update it.
- New children or dependants should trigger a review, but nothing forces you to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if my employer pays CPF late?
A: Interest and penalties apply, and the offence can be prosecuted. Keep
records and report repeat non-payment.
Q: Can I withdraw CPF early for hardship?
A: Only in limited circumstances. Check CPF Board guidance before assuming
eligibility.
Q: What happens if I do not nominate anyone?
A: CPF savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee's Office for
distribution under the applicable intestacy framework (or Muslim inheritance
rules where relevant). This may not match your intentions.
Q: How do I know my CPF contribution was paid?
A: Check your CPF account statement and payroll records for each month.
Sources & Further Reading:
Last updated: 22 March 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify deadlines with official sources before making critical decisions.
