Singapore will raise the statutory Retirement Age to 64 (from 63) and the Re-employment Age ceiling to 69 (from 68) on 1 July 2026.
These moves are part of a longer roadmap to reach Retirement Age 65 and Re-employment Age 70 by 2030.
The change strengthens older workers’ right to continue working and encourages firms to retain experienced staff.
Who The 2026 Change Applies To
- Retirement Age 64: applies to employees born on or after 1 July 1963.
- Re-employment Age 69: applies to employees born on or after 1 July 1958.
- Eligibility: employees must be medically fit, have satisfactory performance, and be Singapore Citizens or PRs to qualify for re-employment offers.
CPF And Funding Updates Linked To 2026
From 1 January 2026, CPF contribution rates for employees aged >55 to 65 step up again to boost retirement adequacy.
The increase is shared between employers and employees, with a temporary CPF Transition Offset (CTO) helping employers defray part of their higher share.
To support hiring and retention of seniors, firms can tap wage-offset schemes for workers aged 60 and above, and apply for the Part-Time Re-employment Grant (PTRG)—which provides funding (up to S$125,000 per company) when firms implement part-time re-employment, flexible work arrangements, and structured career planning for senior workers.
What Employers Must Do
- Update Policies: Align HR manuals, contracts, and HRIS to Retirement Age 64 and Re-employment 69 from 1 July 2026.
- Plan Re-employment: Provide at least a 1-year contract, renewable year-by-year until the new ceiling. Start re-employment the day the employee reaches Retirement Age.
- Budget For Payroll: Factor the 2026 CPF rate step-up (after CTO), and claim available wage credits and PTRG support.
- If No Suitable Role: After due consideration of adjustments and transfers, pay an Employment Assistance Payment (EAP) as a last resort: one-off 3.5 months’ salary (minimum S$6,250; maximum S$14,750). If an employee has already received ≥30 months of re-employment since age 63, an alternative EAP of 2 months’ salary (minimum S$4,000; maximum S$8,500) may apply.
What Workers Should Know
- You are not forced to retire earlier; the law protects your right to work to at least 64, and if eligible, to be offered re-employment up to 69.
- Expect slightly higher CPF contributions from 2026, which reduce take-home pay a little but grow retirement savings.
- If your current employer cannot re-employ you despite efforts, you may receive EAP or be transferred to another employer with your consent.
2026 At A Glance
| Change | Current (2025) | From 1 Jul 2026 | Who It Applies To | What Employers Should Do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Age | 63 | 64 | Born on/after 1 Jul 1963 | Update policies, letters, HRIS |
| Re-employment Age (max) | 68 | 69 | Born on/after 1 Jul 1958 | Prepare 1-year renewable contracts |
| CPF Rates (>55–65) | 2025 rates | Step-up in 2026 (with CTO support) | Employees >55 to 65 | Adjust payroll; budget net impact |
| Senior Hiring Support | Ongoing | Wage offsets for 60+ workers | SG citizens aged 60+ | Check eligibility; plan claims |
| PTRG Funding | Available | Up to S$125,000 per firm | Employers adopting senior-friendly practices | Implement part-time re-employment & FWAs |
Roadmap To 2030
The 2026 increase is a milestone towards Retirement Age 65 and Re-employment Age 70 by 2030, guided by tripartite recommendations to strengthen retirement adequacy and older worker employability.
Raising the Retirement Age to 64 and the Re-employment Age to 69 from 1 July 2026 gives mature workers stronger employment protection and helps companies keep experienced talent.
Employers should align policies, prepare re-employment offers, and budget for CPF changes while tapping available funding schemes like PTRG and wage offsets.
Workers benefit from longer protected careers, higher CPF savings, and clearer pathways to remain active in the workforce.
FAQs
Does my employer have to keep me after age 64?
If you meet the criteria, your employer must offer re-employment on 1-year renewable terms up to age 69 from 1 July 2026.
What if my employer cannot find a suitable role?
After exploring adjustments and transfers, the fallback is a one-time EAP—generally 3.5 months’ salary (with set min/max), or 2 months in certain long-re-employed cases.
Will my CPF contributions change in 2026?
Yes. CPF rates for workers >55 to 65 step up in 2026, with a CTO to partially offset employers’ costs; your take-home may dip slightly while retirement savings rise.
