Singapore political salaries to rise by up to 9% from 15 October 2026

The Government will also raise the MR4 benchmark for entry-level ministers, widen salary ranges, and update National Bonus targets.

Political appointment holders in Singapore will receive a one-off salary adjustment of up to 9% from 15 October 2026, following a review of the country's political salary framework.

⁠The adjustment, announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament on Tuesday (8 September), will vary depending on individual circumstances, including performance. Any subsequent changes to salaries will be based on individual performance and responsibilities.

The Government has accepted the recommendations of an independent review committee, which was tasked with updating the salary structure to reflect today's context and better align the National Bonus with Singapore's socioeconomic progress.

PM Wong said the changes are intended to help Singapore continue to attract capable and committed political leaders to meet the country's long-term needs.

It is ultimately about whether Singapore will continue to have the quality of political leadership we need to take our country forward and to serve Singaporeans well in the years ahead.

Political salary framework remained unchanged for 15 years

The current political salary framework was established following an Independent Review in 2011.

A subsequent review in 2017 found that its core framework remained sound and recommended that political salaries be adjusted in line with the benchmark. However, the Government decided not to make changes at the time due to prevailing economic conditions. It also held back a review in 2023.

Political salaries have therefore remained unchanged for 15 years, PM Wong stated. A new Review Committee, chaired by Gan Seow Kee, Member in the Council of Presidential Advisers, was appointed in December 2025 to review the salaries of political appointment holders and Members of Parliament (MPs).

The Committee reaffirmed three core principles behind the existing framework: calibre, commitment, and clean:

• The calibre principle means political salaries should take reference from market benchmarks, so that remuneration does not deter Singaporeans of the right calibre from stepping forward for political office.
• The commitment principle requires a meaningful discount against market benchmarks to reflect the ethos of political service.
• The clean principle calls for a transparent salary structure without hidden perks, with integrity in remuneration remaining important to maintaining public trust.

Under the framework, the MR4 reference salary is benchmarked to the median annual income of the top 1,000 Singaporean earners, with a 40% discount applied.

The Committee found that this benchmark remains relevant, noting that the top 1,000 earners come from a diverse range of professions and reflect the calibre of Singaporeans needed for good government.

MR4 benchmark salary to increase from S$1.1mn to S$1.8mn

The Government has accepted the recommendation to update the MR4 benchmark – i.e., the salary structure for entry-level ministers – reference salary from S$1.1mn to S$1.8mn.

The 40% discount for political service will continue to apply.

The revised benchmark represents an average annual growth rate of 3.6% since 2011, when political salaries were last adjusted. This is slower than income growth among Singaporean earners at the 20th percentile and median.

However, existing political appointment holders will not immediately be moved to the new benchmark. Instead, they will receive a one-off adjustment of up to 9% from 15 October 2026, depending on individual circumstances, including performance.

For example, an MR4 Minister currently receiving an annual salary of S$1.1mn may receive an increment of almost S$100,000, bringing the annual salary to around S$1.2mn.

Beyond this one-off adjustment, subsequent salary changes will be based on individual performance and responsibilities.

The salaries of the President, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker will also be adjusted according to their respective links to the MR4 reference salary.

MP allowances will also increase, with the monthly allowance rising from S$13,750 to S$18,500 for MPs, Nominated MPs and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament.

These changes will take effect from 15 October 2026.

We cannot affirm a framework in principle but disregard it indefinitely in practice. Otherwise, over time, the framework loses its meaning. Restraint cannot become neglect. And that is why I have decided we must act now.

Wider salary ranges to give greater flexibility

The Government has also accepted the recommendation to widen the monthly salary range for each political grade.

For ministers, salaries will range from 75% to 125% of the reference salary for each grade. The wider range is intended to give the Prime Minister more flexibility when appointing political office holders at a lower salary within the grade. At the same time, highly experienced individuals can be paid more within the grade, so that the pay loss may be more measured when they move into political service.

For simplicity, the MR2 and MR3 grades will be merged. The grades for Mayors, Senior Parliamentary Secretaries and Parliamentary Secretaries will also be merged.

For mayors, senior parliamentary secretaries, and parliamentary secretaries, the salary range will be wider at 70% to 130% of the reference salary at the merged grade.

National Bonus targets to be updated

The Review Committee also examined the National Bonus, which links the salaries of political appointment holders to the socioeconomic outcomes of Singapore and Singaporeans.

The Government has accepted recommendations to update the targets for the National Bonus indicators. The aim of the revised targets will be to place greater focus on Singapore's socioeconomic priorities and reflect the country's maturing economy.

Review Committee: Salary package needs to be updated

Gan said the Committee had reviewed the benchmark methodology and data extensively before concluding that the existing formula remained relevant and fair to include an explicit discount to reflect the ethos of political service.

The Committee also recommended tightening the National Bonus targets across the socioeconomic indicators.

"It is important to update the Ministers' package, which has been unchanged for 15 years, to ensure that Singaporeans of the right calibre are not deterred from stepping forward to lead the country."

Click here to find PM Wong's full speech.

ALSO READ: Salaries of political appointment holders in Singapore set for review after 14-year gap

Figures / Public Service Division