Maternity & Paternity Leave Pay Calculator Singapore 2026
Calculate your Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML), Paternity Leave (GPPL), Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Adoption Leave pay â free calculator with real-time results in SGD.
Your Details
Leave Pay Summary
Calculator based on MOM rules as at 2026. For reference only — actual pay depends on your employment contract.
Understanding Parental Leave Pay for Singapore Employees
Singapore’s parental leave framework is among the most structured in Southeast Asia, administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and funded through a combination of employer obligations and Government-Paid Leave (GPL) schemes. As at Q2 2026, eligible working mothers receive up to 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML), while fathers qualify for 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) â doubled from 2 weeks following amendments to the Child Development Co-Savings Act in January 2024. These entitlements apply when the child is a Singapore Citizen; parents of Permanent Resident children may qualify for reduced benefits under the standard Employment Act framework. The Government reimburses employers up to a statutory cap, currently S$2,500 per week (or S$10,000 for 4 weeks of GPPL and S$20,000 for 8 weeks of GPML), making this calculator essential for both employees and HR teams planning payroll.
Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Data based on MOM regulations as at Q2 2026 unless noted. Always verify entitlements with your HR department or MOM’s official guidelines.
Who Qualifies for GPML and GPPL in Singapore?
To qualify for GPML, a working mother must have worked for her employer for at least 3 continuous months before the child’s birth and the child must be a Singapore Citizen. Employees on fixed-term contracts, part-time arrangements, or casual work may still qualify provided the 3-month continuous employment criterion is met. Self-employed mothers qualify for 8 weeks of GPML (for the 1st and 2nd child) or 16 weeks (3rd child and beyond), funded by the Government provided they have been engaged in their trade or business for at least 3 continuous months and have lost income due to their condition or confinement. For GPPL, eligibility requires that the father is legally married to the mother, or is the natural father of the child. The child must be a Singapore Citizen. For Shared Parental Leave (SPL), the mother must consent to transfer up to 4 weeks of her GPML to the father, provided the father is employed and meets the GPPL eligibility criteria. Adoptive mothers qualify for 12 weeks when they adopt a Singapore Citizen child below 12 months of age, subject to the same 3 month employment criteria.
How the S$2,500/Week Government Cap Affects Your Payout
The Singapore Government reimburses employers at actual weekly salary up to a maximum of S$2,500 per week per leave week. This means the effective annual salary cap for full Government reimbursement is approximately S$156,000 (S$2,500 Ã7 52 weeks). Employees earning above this threshold still receive their full gross salary from their employer during leave (if required by contract), but the Government reimburses only up to the cap. For most private sector employees earning below this cap, the Government reimburses the employer in full, making the leave effectively cost-neutral for employers. This is a key reason why Singapore’s parental leave scheme is so widely used — just be aware the calculator above shows your estimated pay and will automatically cap the Government portion at S$2,500/week where applicable.
How to Use This Maternity & Paternity Leave Calculator
- Enter your monthly salary (S$): Input your gross monthly salary before CPF deductions. This is used to calculate your weekly rate (monthly § 12 § 52). Include fixed allowances if they form part of your contractual salary.
- Select leave type: Choose Maternity (GPML), Paternity (GPPL), Shared Parental (SPL), or Adoption. Each type has different week entitlements based on MOM rules.
- For maternity leave, indicate child order: Select 1st/2nd child or 3rd+ child. This affects whether 8 or 16 weeks of GPML applies, and the split between employer-paid and Government-paid portions.
- If shared leave, enter weeks taken: For SPL, enter the number of weeks the father wishes to share from the mother’s 16-week GPML entitlement (if an agreement is made), maximum 4 weeks.
The calculator instantly shows your Government-funded pay, employer-paid pay, total weeks, and total leave payout in SGD. The Govertnment portion is automatically capped at S$2,500/week as per MOM rules.
Pro tip: Combine this calculator with our Retirement Planning Calculator to see how parental leave pay fits into your longer-term financial planning, especially if you plan to reduce work hours after returning from leave.
What is GPML, GPPL, SPL and Adoption Leave in Singapore?
Singapore offers four main Government-paid parental leave schemes for eligible working parents. Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) covers 16 weeks for employed mothers of a Singapore Citizen child â though for the 1st and 2nd child, the first 8 weeks are employer-paid (with Government reimbursement) and the last 8 weeks are Government-funded directly. For the 3rd child and beyond, all 16 weeks are Government-funded. Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) covers 4 weeks for eligible fathers (extended from 2 to 4 weeks starting January 2024 via MOM). Shared Parental Leave (SPL) lets the father take up to 4 weeks of the mother’s GPML entitlement with the mother’s consent. Adoption Leave covers 12 weeks for adoptive mothers of Singapore Citizen children under 12 months old. These schemes are administered and co-funded by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), with claims processed via the MSF’s Government-Paid Leave portal.
How Parental Leave Pay is Calculated in Singapore
The formula for calculating your maternity or paternity leave payout in Singapore is straightforward: Weekly Rate = (Monthly Salary ʧ 12) / 52. The Government reimburses the lower of your actual weekly rate or S$2,500 per week. For example, if you earn S$6,000/month, your weekly rate is (S$6,000 ʧ 12) / 52 = S$1.385 per week. This is under the S$2,500 cap, so you receive 100% of your actual weekly salary for each week of leave. If you earn S$15,000/month, your weekly rate is S$3,462. The Government pays only up to S$2,500/week — your employer may choose to top up the remainder as an employee benefit but this is not statutorily required. Employees are paid their full salary during GPML/GPPL on the normal payroll cycle, and the employer claims reimbursement from the Government afterwards.
GPML vs GPPL vs SPL in Singapore
The three main parental leave schemes differ significantly in length, structure, and who benefits;£Ê
| Scheme | Who | Weeks | Payer |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPML (1st/2nd child) | Employed mother | 16 weeks | Employer (Wueks 1-8) + Govt (weeks 9-16) |
| GPML (3rd+ child) | Employed mother | 16 weeks | Fully Government-funded |
| GPPL (all children) | Eligible father | 4 weeks | Fully Government-funded |
| SPL (shared from mother’s GPML) | Father (with mother consent) | Up to 4 weeks | Government-funded |
| Adoption Leave | Adoptive mother | 12 weeks | Government-funded |
It’s worth noting that for the GPML 1st/2nd child, the father can take SPL from the mother’s first 8 or last 8 weeks entitlement, depending on what the mother and employer agree on. This flexibility allows both parents to overlap leave if they wish, or stagger it for longer coverage. If you want to plan your leave around investments or SRS contributions, use our SRSTax Savings Calculator to see whether reduced income during leave opens up SRS tax advantage opportunities.
s in the region, reflecting Singapore’s strong pro-family policies.
Process of Claiming Government-Paid Parental Leave in Singapore
The claim process for GPML and GPPL is handled by the employer on behalf of the employee. The employer first pays the employee their full salary during leave (or up to the cap) and then submits a reimbursement claim to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) via the Government-Paid Leave (GPL) online portal at msf.gov.sg. The claim must be submitted within 12 months of the leave being taken. Self-employed individuals may apply directly through the same portal. Processing times typically range from 6 to 12 weeks for the Government reimbursement to be paid to the employer. Employees should ensure their HR or payroll team is aware of the leave well in advance, as delays in notification may affect payroll processing. For self-employed persons, payouts are made directly by MSF to their designated bank account once the claim is processed and approved. For more details, visit the MSF official page on GNPL or the MOM GPPL pages.
CPF Contributions During Parental Leave in Singapore
One often-overlooked aspect of parental leave is its impact on CPF contributions. Since parental leave pay is treated as ordinary wages (OW) for CPF purposes, both employee and employer CPF contributions are payable on the leave pay at the standard rates. For a 35-to-55 year old employee, the combined CPF contribution rate is 37.0% (20% employee + 17% employer). This means your CPF accounts continue to be funded throughout leave, which is beneficial for long-term retirement planning. However, because the Government reimbursement is based on gross salary including CPF, employers are reimbursed for the employee’s gross salary up to the S$2,500/week cap. To plan your CPF contributions and retirement savings around maternity leave, use our CPF OA/SA/MA Allocation Calculator to see how your contributions are distributed across ordinary, special, and MediSave accounts. Remember that CPF contributions improve your CPF LIFE payout estimates in retirement. Use our CPF LIFE Payout Calculator to model your estimated monthly payouts at retirement age.
Parental Leave and Your Retirement Plan in Singapore
Taking parental leave is one of life’s major financial events, and it’s a good time to review your broader retirement and investment plan. While your leave pay is a short-term replacement of salary, the birth of a child typically changes your financial priorities long-term. Consider increasing your CPF voluntary top-ups using the CPF Investment Strategy outlined on this site to grow your Ordinary and Special Account balances. For working parents planning a longer career break, robo-advisors like Endowus and Syfe offer low-cost, diversified portfolios that can compound income even while you’re on leave. You might also consider using part of your leave pay to make an SRS contribution for additional tax savings — use our SRS Tax Savings Calculator to model this. Finally, take this opportunity to update your insurance coverage (life, health, and critical illness) to reflect your new family situation. Use our Insurance Gap Calculator to assess your current protection gaps. Overall, use our Retirement Planning Calculator to get a holistic view of your financial goals in light of your new family responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will I receive for maternity leave in Singapore?
Year maternity leave pay is based on your gross monthly salary calculated as a weekly rate (monthly x 12 / 52) multiplied by the number of GPML weeks (8 or 16 depending on child order and employment status). The Government reimburses employers up to S$2,500/week per week. For example, if you earn S$5,500/month and are having your 2nd child, your total GPML would be approximately S$20,321.
Hwon many weeks is paternity leave in Singapore 2026?
As of January 2024, eligible fathers in Singapore receive 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) for a Singapore Citizen child. This was extended from 2 weeks following amendments to the Child Development Co-Savings Act. All 4 weeks are funded by the Government up to S$2,500/week cap.
Can fathers share maternity leave in Singapore?
Yes, under the Shared Parental Leave (SPL) scheme, a mother can transfer up to 4 weeks of her 16-week GPML entitlement to the father, provided he is employed and meets the GPPL eligibility criteria. The split is flexible — both parents can even take leave concurrently if their employers agree. The pay for SPL is calculated based on the father’s own salary, not the mother’s, and is Government-funded up to the S$2,500/week cap.
Is maternity leave pay taxable in Singapore?
Yes, maternity and paternity leave pay is treated as employment income and is taxable in Singapore. It is also subject to CPF contributions (both employer and employee) at the standard rates. The leave pay will be included in your Annexure A (IR4S) for income tax reporting. If you take leave across two calendar years, the pay for each year’s leave will be taxed in the respective year.
Whot happens if I resign during maternity leave in Singapore?
If you resign during maternity leave or within 4 weeks of returning from leave, you may (in some cases) be required to repay the Government-paid portion of your maternity leave pay to your employer. However, your employer cannot dismiss you on grounds of pregnancy under Section 84 of the Employment Act. Always check your employment contract and consult with HR or MOM before resigning during leave.
Can self-employed mothers claim maternity leave pay in Singapore?
Yes, self-employed mothers are eligible for Government-Paid Maternity Leave provided they have been actively engaged in their trade or business for at least 3 continuous months before the child’s birth and have lost income due to their confinement. Self-employed mothers receive 8 weeks of GPML for the 1st/2nd child, or 16 weeks for the 3rd child and beyond, all funded directly by the Government. Claims are submitted through the MSF Government-Paid Leave portal.
Hw much paternity leave pay is S$2,500/week in Singapore?
S$2,500/week is the maximum Government reimbursement rate per week. For GPPL (4 weeks), the maximum payout the Government will reimburse is S$10,000 (S$2,500 Ê· 4 weeks). For GPML (8 Govt weeks), the maximum Government reimbursement is S$20,000. Employees earning above the effective annual cap (approx. S$156,000/year) will receive less than their full salary from the Government portion of their leave.
Hw does maternity leave affect my retirement plan in Singapore?
Maternity leave pay is treated as ordinary wages, so CPF contributions continue during leave, protecting your retirement savings. However, if you take unpaid leave or a career break post-maternity, CPF contributions pause. After leave, review your investment plan with our Retirement Planning Calculator and consider using robo-advisors like Endowus or Syfe to stay invested.
Plan Your Financial Future As a Singapore Parent
Maternity pay is just the start. Use our free tools and referral bonuses to invest, save, and plan for your family’s future.
How Employers Claim Government Reimbursement
Employers must submit claims to the Government for GPML and GPPL reimbursements through the Government-Paid Leave Portal (administered by MSF and MOM). Claims must be submitted within 3 months of the last day of the leave taken, and employers must ensure that the employee has actually taken the leave before submitting a claim. Key documentation includes the child’s birth certificate (to verify SC status and birth order), a copy of the leave schedule, and payroll records showing leave pay disbursed. For Shared Parental Leave, the father’s employer must also obtain the mother’s written SPL consent form. Employers who fail to submit claims within the 3-month window forfeit the Government reimbursement â making timely HR processes critical. HR teams managing large headcounts often use payroll software to automate leave tracking and alert for claim deadlines. The reimbursement process typically takes 4â6 weeks from claim submission to fund receipt, so companies should maintain sufficient payroll liquidity during this period. For financial planning around business cash flow, our DCA Investment Calculator can help business owners optimise their liquidity during peak leave seasons.
Financial Planning During Parental Leave in Singapore
The birth or adoption of a child is one of the most financially significant life events a Singapore resident will face. Beyond the immediate leave pay calculations, new parents must plan for the long-term financial impact: reduced income during leave, increased monthly expenses (childcare can cost S$1,200âS$2,500/month for infant care in Singapore), and the opportunity cost of one parent potentially stepping back from work. Singapore’s Baby Bonus Cash Gift provides S$11,000 for the 1st and 2nd child and S$13,000 for the 3rd and beyond (as at 2026), while the Child Development Account (CDA) provides dollar-for-dollar Government matching up to S$6,000 (1st child) or S$9,000 (2nd child) â partially offsetting early childhood costs. Parents should also review their CPF contributions during leave: during Government-paid leave weeks, CPF contributions are paid on the Government-reimbursed portion (capped at the weekly cap), which may temporarily reduce CPF OA accumulation for high-income earners. Our CPF OA/SA/MA Allocation Calculator can help model how a 4â16 week income change affects your annual CPF build-up. For holistic retirement planning that factors in career breaks, use our Retirement Planning Calculator alongside this tool, and consider building your passive income foundation early through S-REITs and dividend ETFs as covered in our Passive Income Guide Singapore 2026.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]Frequently Asked Questions
How many weeks of maternity leave am I entitled to in Singapore?
Working mothers in Singapore are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave if the child is a Singapore Citizen and you have worked for your employer for at least 3 continuous months. If the child is a Permanent Resident or foreigner, the entitlement is 8 weeks under the Employment Act. The 16-week GPML entitlement has been in place since 2008 and remains unchanged as at 2026.
How many weeks of paternity leave does a father get in Singapore 2026?
Fathers are entitled to 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) for Singapore Citizen children born on or after 1 January 2024. This was extended from the previous 2-week entitlement. All 4 weeks are funded by the Government, with employers reimbursed up to S$2,500 per week (S$10,000 total). The leave can be taken flexibly within 12 months of the child’s birth.
What is the Government cap on maternity leave pay in Singapore?
The Government reimburses employers up to S$2,500 per week for Government-funded GPML weeks. This cap equates to a monthly salary of approximately S$10,833. If your salary exceeds this, the Government pays only S$2,500/week for the Government-funded portion, and your employer may or may not top up the difference depending on your employment contract. The calculator above shows your actual Government-paid amount versus your full weekly salary rate.
Can both parents take parental leave at the same time in Singapore?
Yes â there is no restriction preventing both parents from being on leave simultaneously. A mother can take her 16-week GPML while the father takes his 4-week GPPL during the same period. However, for Shared Parental Leave (SPL), the father takes weeks that are drawn from the mother’s 16-week entitlement, so the mother would have fewer weeks remaining. Careful planning of the SPL arrangement is important to ensure the mother still gets sufficient recovery time.
What is Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and how does it work?
Shared Parental Leave (SPL) allows a father to take up to 4 weeks from the mother’s GPML entitlement with her written consent. This is available from 1 January 2024 and is in addition to the father’s own 4-week GPPL â meaning a father could take up to 8 weeks of paid leave total. SPL weeks are funded by the Government at the same weekly cap as GPML (S$2,500/week). The mother must sign a written SPL consent form, and the father’s employer submits the claim through the Government-Paid Leave Portal.
Do CPF contributions apply during maternity and paternity leave?
Yes. CPF contributions are payable on maternity and paternity leave pay. For Government-funded GPML/GPPL weeks, CPF contributions are calculated on the actual leave pay received, which is capped at S$2,500/week for Government-reimbursed amounts. For employer-paid weeks (e.g., the first 8 weeks of GPML for 1st/2nd SC child), CPF contributions apply to your full actual pay. Use our CPF OA/SA/MA Allocation Calculator to model the impact on your monthly CPF build-up during leave.
What is the maternity leave entitlement for a 3rd child in Singapore?
For the 3rd child (and beyond) who is a Singapore Citizen, the mother is entitled to 16 weeks of GPML with the Government funding all 16 weeks â there is no employer-paid portion. The Government reimburses the employer up to S$2,500 per week, or S$40,000 in total for 16 weeks. This is more generous than the 1st/2nd child arrangement, reflecting Singapore’s policy incentive to encourage larger families. The 3rd+ child entitlement has been in place since 2008.
Are self-employed mothers entitled to maternity leave pay in Singapore?
Yes. Self-employed mothers who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents and have been engaged in their trade or business for at least 3 continuous months before childbirth can claim GPML. Self-employed mothers receive 8 weeks of Government-paid leave for the 1st and 2nd SC child, and 16 weeks for the 3rd child and beyond. They must have suffered a loss of income during the leave period to qualify for the Government payment. Claims are submitted through the Government-Paid Leave Portal.
Howdoes parental leave affect my retirement planning?
Taking parental leave temporarily reduces your income and CPF contributions, which can affect your long-term retirement build-up. For a mother earning S$8,000/month taking 4 months of leave, CPF OA contributions could be reduced by approximately S$5,506âS$7,000 depending on age. Building an emergency fund and investing in passive income streams (such as S-REITs or Endowus funds) before taking leave helps cushion the income gap. Use our Retirement Planning Calculator to model how a career break affects your retirement target.
Plan Your Finances Around Parental Leave
Use our free financial tools and Singapore’s best investment platforms to build income resilience before and after parental leave. Start investing early to make passive income your safety net.