When elected, Members of Parliament (MPs) serve their constituents and represent them in Parliament, where they have voting and debating privileges, to discuss policies and laws that affect Singapore. For their efforts, MPs receive a substantial allowance over a full 4- to 5-year term. Others in Parliament, such as Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) and Nominated MPs (NMPs), also receive an allowance, though a smaller amount.
Guiding Principles For Determining Political Officeholders’ Salaries
Singapore adopts a transparent and accountable approach to setting political officeholders’ salaries. These are paid as clean wages – fully accounted for, without hidden perks or privileges – and set competitive levels. This contrasts with systems in other countries, where lower base salaries are often supplemented by generous allowances, benefits and perks.
While competitive salaries are necessary to attract the people of the right calibre to serve the nation – reflecting their time commitment and opportunity cost in the private sector – monetary gain should never be the main motivation for entering politics. Political service is a calling and a privilege, and those who step forward must be driven by a strong sense of duty and commitment to serve the nation and contribute to the public good.
As such, salaries for officeholders are reviewed from time to time to ensure they remain aligned with prevailing economic, social and political considerations.
How Is MP Allowance Calculated?
The White Paper titled “Salaries for a Capable and Committed Government” of 2012 outlines the framework that the Singapore Government uses to set allowances for both Ministers and Members of Parliament. After consulting current and past MPs, the public and various civic groups, the paper set the guidelines for the allowance of Members of Parliament till today.
The introduction of the framework reduced the MPs’ allowance that year by 3% compared with the previous formula, which included a GDP bonus component.
This salary framework for political appointees is reviewed every five years. The 2017 review affirmed that the salary benchmarks remain relevant. The next political salaries review was slated for 2023 but was deferred because of the uncertain geopolitical environment. However, in September 2026, it was announced that the review had taken place between December 2025 and April 2026, and the recommendations have been accepted by the government.
Members of Parliament receive an annual allowance divided into three parts: the monthly allowance, a 13th-month bonus, and an Annual Variable Component (AVC), typically one month’s salary. The annual allowance for Elected MPs was previously pegged at 17.5% of the MR4 benchmark of Ministerial pay, which is now $1.8 million in 2026.
However, after the latest review, the government accepted the recommendation to delink MP salaries from the MR4 benchmark and will conduct a study to establish a new basis for payment for community-related roles, as the “considerations for the level of MP allowance may differ from that of Ministerial pay”.
MPs today do not receive a pension, and MPs elected before 1995 who were eligible for a pension had their pensions frozen as of 20 May 2011. They would receive the frozen pension once they step down as a Member of Parliament (MP).
Read Also: Here’s How Much Singapore’s President, Prime Minister, And Cabinet Ministers Are Paid In Salary
How Much Allowance Elected Members Of Parliament Receive
Members of Parliament (MPs) are paid an allowance as compensation for the time and expenses incurred while serving as an MP. This includes the dual roles MPs play: a community role in which they serve their constituents and raise concerns, and a parliamentary legislative role in which they decide on government and legislative matters.
With effect from 15 October 2026, Members of Parliament will receive a monthly MP allowance of $18,500, up from $13,750 previously. Including a 13-month bonus and an Annual Variable Component (AVC), this will total $259,000 a year. This is up from $192,500 previously.
MPs who are also Ministers will continue to receive their MP allowance, on top of their ministerial salaries. Furthermore, MPs are allowed to hold full-time jobs and directorships while being an MP.
Allowances Of Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) And Nominated Members (NMPs)
NCMPs will now receive an allowance pegged at 30% of an MP’s annual allowance. Previously, their allowance was pegged at 15% of the MP’s annual allowance. According to the review committee, this increase is “in recognition of the larger legislative role accorded to NCMPs since 2017”. Since 2017, NCMPs have equal and full voting rights, including constitutional changes, supply Bills and votes of no confidence in the Government.
As such, NCMPs will now receive $5,550 a month and an annual allowance of $77,700. Previously, they received about $28,900 annually, or about $2,065 per month.
The allowance for NMPs remains pegged at 15% of an MP’s annual allowance. This is because they have a reduced legislative role and cannot vote on legislative issues such as government budgets and constitutional changes.
NMPs will now receive $38,900 per year, up from $28,900 previously. This works out to about $2,778 a month. Their allowances are structured the same way as elected MPs’, so their allowance dropped by about 4% because the GDP bonus was removed.
How Much The Speaker Of Parliament Is Paid
An MP who is elected to be Speaker of Parliament will also receive an annual salary on top of their MP allowance. The same applies to MPs who also hold political appointments.
Currently, a full-time Speaker’s salary is a 14-month package that includes the 13th-month bonus and Annual Variable Component (AVC) but excludes the Performance Bonus and National Bonus. A full-time Speaker’s salary remains pegged to the MR4 benchmark. The allowance of a full Deputy Speaker is pegged to 15% of a full-time Speaker’s allowance.
Currently, Parliament applies a 50% discount to the allowance of both positions as they are not full-time positions. This means the Speaker’s annual salary package is now $900,000, up from $550,000, while the Deputy Speaker gets $135,000, up from $82,500.
Similarly, the pension scheme has been removed for the Speaker. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are also on the MediSave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) scheme and receive no perks. The Speaker is accorded the use of an official car that is subject to tax.
