Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has pledged to donate the full increase in his salary to charity for the next five years after the government approved a major revision of the country’s political salary framework.
The changes, announced in Parliament on September 8, will take effect from October 15, 2026. The revised framework raises the benchmark salary for an entry-grade minister from S$1.1 million to S$1.8 million a year. However, ministers will not immediately receive the full benchmark amount. Existing political officeholders will instead receive a one-time adjustment of up to 9%, depending on factors including individual performance and responsibilities.
PM Salary Norm Rises
Under the revised framework, the Prime Minister’s salary norm will rise from S$2.2 million to S$3.6 million annually, including bonuses. This is a 64% increase in the overall salary norm.
Wong’s own compensation is linked to the MR4 ministerial benchmark, with the Prime Minister’s salary set at twice that reference. Unlike ministers, the Prime Minister does not receive a performance bonus.
Wong said the government would continue paying him according to the framework, but he would personally donate the increase to suitable good causes for the next five years.
9% Increase for Ministers
The government has clarified that the new S$1.8 million benchmark will not be implemented immediately for ministers.
Instead, political officeholders will receive a one-time adjustment of up to 9% from October 15. The exact increase will vary according to individual circumstances, including performance and when the officeholder’s salary was last adjusted.
For an MR4 minister currently earning the S$1.1 million reference salary, a full 9% adjustment would take annual pay to about S$1.2 million.
There will be no automatic special increases later to close the gap with the S$1.8 million benchmark. Future adjustments will depend on individual performance and responsibilities.
Why Singapore Raised Pay
Wong defended the changes by arguing that Singapore needs to remain capable of attracting experienced and talented people into politics.
He said political salaries had remained broadly unchanged for around 15 years, while earnings in the private sector and civil service had continued to rise. The government therefore believes the framework needs to remain competitive enough to persuade capable Singaporeans to enter public service.
The government has also argued that competitive salaries are part of Singapore’s broader approach to maintaining an effective and clean government.
Benchmark Based on Top Earners
Singapore’s political salary framework benchmarks ministerial pay against the earnings of the country’s highest-paid citizens.
The revised framework updates the reference point to reflect current earnings and retains a discount to account for the distinctive responsibilities and constraints of political office.
The government said the new system is intended to provide greater flexibility to differentiate salaries based on performance and responsibilities, while also making it easier to attract people with substantial experience from outside government.
MPs Also Get Higher Allowance
The salary revision will also affect Singapore’s Members of Parliament.
Monthly allowances for MPs will increase from S$13,750 to S$18,500 from October 15. Changes will also apply to the President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker under the revised framework.
The government said the revised system is designed to better align political compensation with current economic and employment conditions.
Five-Year Review Planned
The current political salary framework originated from an independent review conducted in 2011. A subsequent review in 2017 reaffirmed the framework, although recommended adjustments were not implemented.
The latest review was conducted by an independent committee appointed in December 2025. The government has now accepted its recommendations, with the revised framework coming into force from October 15.
Wong said he would reassess his decision about donating the salary increase at the end of the five-year period. He also stressed that his decision was personal and that he did not expect other political officeholders to follow the same approach.
2.jpg)
