While the 67,600 Platform Workers in Singapore make up a small group of our total labour force, they have become an integral part of Singapore’s economy and how society functions – just think about ride-hailing and delivery services.
As we can imagine, many Platform Workers may not have the same control over their work as self-employed individuals. At the same time, they cannot be viewed as employees either as they have more control over their time. That’s why the new Platform Workers Act was passed in Singapore to recognise them as a separate group of workers.
This has strengthened protection for Platform Workers from 1 January 2025. Platform Workers are now entitled to the same scope and level of work injury compensation as employees under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA). They can enjoy enhanced collective representation by forming Platform Work Associations.
And, of course, they will enjoy improved housing and retirement adequacy with CPF Contributions from both Platform Workers and Platform Operators.
Here’s a complete guide to platform workers’ CPF contribution and how the CPF transition support scheme will offset a lower take-home pay in the initial years.
Read Also: Platform Workers To Get CPF; WICA-Like Protection; And Union-Like Representation From 1 Jan 2025
CPF Contributions For Platform Workers
Firstly, all Platform Workers already contribute their fair share, based on wages and age group, to their MediSave Account (MA). The CPF contributions mandated under the Platform Workers Act will extend this to the Ordinary Account (OA), Special Account (SA), and Retirement Account (RA), and will require Platform Operators to make CPF contributions from 1 January 2025.
While CPF Contributions are mandatory for Platform Workers born in 1995 or later, older Platform Workers can voluntarily opt in to increased CPF contributions since 1 November 2024. This opt-in is irreversible.
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), around 8,000 older Platform Workers (i.e. those born before 1995) chose to do this – as of December 2024. Older Platform Worker can choose to opt in at any point going forward. Those who do not opt-in will continue contributing to only their own MA, and will miss out on the Platform Operator’s share of CPF contributions.
CPF contributions for Platform Workers will start at a lower threshold in 2025 and progressively rise each year through 2029, when contribution rates will be in line with those of employees.
Here are the contribution rates in 2026 (the second year of the PWA):
| Platform Workers’ Age | CPF Contributions by Platform Operator | CPF Contributions by Platform Worker | Total CPF Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 and below | 7.0% | 13.0% | 20.0% |
| Above 35 to 45 | 7.0% | 14.0% | 21.0% |
| Above 45 to 50 | 7.0% | 15.0% | 22.0% |
| Above 50 to 55 | 7.0% | 15.5% | 22.5% |
| Above 55 to 60 | 7.0% | 15.5% | 22.5% |
| Above 60 to 65 | 7.0% | 12.5% | 19.5% |
| Above 65 to 70 | 7.0% | 9.5% | 16.5% |
| Above 70 | 7.0% | 5.5% | 12.5% |
Source: CPF
Note that the CPF contributions by Platform Workers also include their existing MediSave Account (MA) contributions. For example, a Platform Worker who is 35 and below will need to contribute 10.5% of his earnings to his CPF accounts. Without the increased CPF contributions, he would already need to contribute 8% to his MediSave Account. So, he is contributing only about 2.5% more to his OA and SA.
As mentioned, CPF contributions for Platform Workers will rise steadily each year until they match the current level of CPF contributions made by employees and employers.
Next year, in 2027, the CPF contributions will look like this:
| Platform Workers’ Age | CPF Contributions By Platform Operator | CPF Contributions By Platform Worker | Total CPF Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 and below | 10.5% | 15.5% | 26% |
| Above 35 to 45 | 10.5% | 16.5% | 27% |
| Above 45 to 50 | 10.5% | 17.5% | 28% |
| Above 50 to 55 | 10.5% | 18% | 28.5% |
| Above 55 to 60 | 10.5% | 18% | 28.5% |
| Above 60 to 65 | 10.5% | 13% | 23.5% |
| Above 65 to 70 | 9% | 7.5% | 16.5% |
| Above 70 | 7.5% | 5% | 12.5% |
Source: CPF
Platform workers (35 and below) will start their CPF contributions at 10.5% in 2025 and this increases to 13.0% in 2026. This will gradually increase to 20% by 2029. The same goes for the Platform Operators’ contribution, which starts at 3.5% in 2025, rises to 7.0% in 2026, and will increase by 3.5% each year until it reaches 17% by 2029.
| Platform Workers Aged 35 And Below In 2025 And Earning At Least $750 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
| CPF Contributions By Platform Operator | 3.5% | 7% | 10.5% | 14% | 17% |
| CPF Contributions By Platform Worker | 10.5% | 13% | 15.5% | 18% | 20% |
| Total CPF Contributions | 14% | 20% | 26% | 32% | 37% |
Source: CPF
Read Also: Private-Hire Car Drivers; Taxi Drivers; Delivery Workers: How Much Did Platform Workers Earn In 2023
Platform Workers CPF Transition Support Scheme
For Platform Workers born in 1995 or later, there will be some support as they transition to mandatory CPF payments starting this year. This is because they will actually see a lower take-home earnings as a result of their CPF contributions.
Called the Platform Workers CPF Transition Support (PCTS) scheme, the government will fully offset eligible workers’ share of the increased CPF contributions – to their OA and SA (OSA) – in 2025.
The qualifying monthly income cap is $3,000 (post-expenses) and should allow more lower-income platform workers to access the scheme. From 2025 to 2028, the PCTS will provide monthly cash support and will slowly tail off support into 2028. For 2026, the government will provide a subsidy of 75% offset of OSA increase from the previous year.
Source: CPF Board
You can use the PCTS calculator to estimate how much you can receive as a Platform Worker.
For example, if a 31-year-old Platform Worker is earning $2,000 each month, he will already have to contribute $160 to his MediSave Account (MA). If he opts in to increase his CPF contribution rates, his monthly PCTS will amount to the full $50 of CPF contributions to his OA and SA in 2025.
In 2026, he has to increase his CPF contributions to his OA and SA again, to $100. His monthly PTCS will now amount to $38, which is 75% of the additional CPF contributions he has to make. This means he makes $62 of his monthly CPF contributions in cash.
Helping Platform Workers Prepare For Retirement
The Platform Workers Act (PWA) will help platform workers prepare better for retirement by providing them with protection across a variety of different issues. This starts with mandatory CPF contributions (for those born in 1995 and after) as well as ensuring voluntary opt-ins for older platform workers.
By having a more stable retirement scheme in place, platform workers will be able to take CPF contributions from platform operators, too, in order to start better planning for their long-term financial security.
Combining this with workplace injury compensation support and a legal framework for representation, platform workers will feel better equipped to tackle their jobs without other worries.
Read Also: 4 Ways The Government Will Provide Greater Protection For Employees In 2025
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