# Self-help group contributions in Singapore: CDAC, SINDA, MBMF and ECF explained

> Who pays CDAC, SINDA, MBMF or ECF, how much is deducted at each wage band, how employers pay it, and how to opt out or change the amount.

- Tool: [Self-Help Group Contribution Calculator (CDAC, SINDA, MBMF, ECF)](https://toolsg.com/en/shg-contribution-calculator)
- Language: en (available: en, zh, ms, ta)
- Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-27
- Source site: ToolSG — a planning guide, not official or financial advice. Cite the agencies listed under Sources.

## Key figures at a glance

| Fact | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CDAC top band | $3 a month — Wages over $7,500. Lowest band: $0.50 for wages up to $2,000. Chinese Citizens and PRs. | [CPF Board](https://www.cpf.gov.sg/employer/employer-obligations/contributions-to-self-help-groups) |
| ECF top band | $20 a month — Wages over $10,000. Lowest band: $2 for wages up to $1,000. Eurasian Citizens and PRs. | [CPF Board](https://www.cpf.gov.sg/employer/employer-obligations/contributions-to-self-help-groups) |
| MBMF top band | $26 a month — Wages over $10,000. Lowest band: $3 for wages up to $1,000. Based on religion. | [CPF Board](https://www.cpf.gov.sg/employer/employer-obligations/contributions-to-self-help-groups) |
| SINDA top band | $30 a month — Wages over $15,000. Lowest band: $1 for wages up to $1,000. Indian Citizens, PRs and EP holders. | [CPF Board](https://www.cpf.gov.sg/employer/employer-obligations/contributions-to-self-help-groups) |

## Reading and managing your deduction

Employees do not pay the fund themselves; the employer deducts it from wages.

1. **Find the line on your payslip** (Each payday) — Look for CDAC, SINDA, MBMF or ECF among the deductions. The amount should match the band for your total monthly wages. Tools: [Self-Help Group Contribution Calculator (CDAC, SINDA, MBMF, ECF)](https://toolsg.com/en/shg-contribution-calculator)
2. **Check it is the right fund** (When you start a job) — CDAC, ECF and SINDA follow the race on your NRIC (the first race listed if there are two). MBMF follows religion.
3. **Opt out or change the amount** (Any time) — Write to the fund directly if you do not wish to contribute or want to give a different amount. CPF Board does not handle this.
4. **Employer pays CPF Board** (By the 14th of the following month) — The employer deducts the amount and pays it to CPF Board together with CPF. For a wrong or excess payment, contact the fund, not CPF Board. Tools: [Singapore Payroll Calculator (Employer Cost)](https://toolsg.com/en/payroll-calculator)

## How the deduction works

Each fund charges a **flat monthly amount that depends on your total monthly wages**. It is not a percentage. The upper limit of every band is included, so at exactly $3,500 CDAC is $1 and at $3,500.01 it is $1.50.

| Total monthly wages | CDAC | ECF | MBMF | SINDA |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| $2,000 | $0.50 | $6 | $4.50 | $5 |
| $4,000 | $1.50 | $9 | $15 | $7 |
| $6,000 | $2 | $12 | $19.50 | $9 |
| $10,000 | $3 | $16 | $24 | $12 |

The same wage gives different amounts because each fund uses its own bands. Your own fund depends on community, not on the lowest figure.

## Who is expected to contribute

| Fund | Community | Citizens / PRs | Employment Pass | Other foreigners |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CDAC | Chinese (race on NRIC) | Yes | No | No |
| ECF | Eurasian | Yes | No | No |
| MBMF | Muslim (religion, not race) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SINDA | Indian (race on NRIC) | Yes | Yes | No |

If two races are listed on the NRIC, the first one applies. Eurasian is as defined on the identity card, or a person of both European and Asian ancestry. SINDA includes people originating from the Indian sub-continent.

## Opting out

Employees who do not wish to contribute, or who want to contribute a different amount, should contact the fund. The employer deducts only what the fund has on record.

> **Tip:** Compare the deduction with your [take-home pay](https://toolsg.com/en/take-home-pay-calculator) and see it in context on the [payroll calculator](https://toolsg.com/en/payroll-calculator).

## Common mistakes

- **Treating it as a percentage.** It is a flat amount by band.
- **Choosing the fund by the lowest amount.** The fund follows race (CDAC, ECF, SINDA) or religion (MBMF).
- **Expecting CDAC or ECF for an S Pass or Work Permit holder.** They are for Citizens and PRs.
- **Asking CPF Board for a refund.** Overpayments and payments to the wrong fund go to the fund itself.

## Related tools

- [Payroll calculator](https://toolsg.com/en/payroll-calculator) — employer cost and net pay including the fund.
- [Take-home pay calculator](https://toolsg.com/en/take-home-pay-calculator) — salary after CPF.
- [CPF calculator](https://toolsg.com/en/cpf-calculator) — CPF contributions by age.

## Frequently asked questions

**How much is the CDAC, SINDA, MBMF or ECF contribution?**

It is a flat monthly amount set by your total monthly wages. At $4,000 a month it is $1.50 for CDAC, $9 for ECF, $15 for MBMF and $7 for SINDA. The top rates are $3 (CDAC), $20 (ECF), $26 (MBMF) and $30 (SINDA).

**Which self-help group fund do I pay?**

It depends on community. CDAC applies to Chinese, ECF to Eurasian and SINDA to Indian Citizens and PRs, based on the race on the NRIC (the first race listed applies when there are two). MBMF applies to Muslim employees and is based on religion.

**Do foreigners pay a self-help group fund?**

Only some. MBMF applies to Muslim foreign employees, and SINDA to Indian Employment Pass holders. CDAC and ECF are for Citizens and PRs only.

**Can I opt out of CDAC, SINDA, MBMF or ECF?**

Yes. Employees who do not wish to contribute, or want to contribute a different amount, should contact the fund directly.

**Does my employer pay anything extra?**

No. The contribution is deducted from your wages. Your employer pays it to CPF Board together with CPF, by the 14th of the following month.

**What if my wage is exactly on a band limit?**

The upper limit of each band is included. At exactly $3,500 CDAC is $1; at $3,500.01 it becomes $1.50.

**Is this the official amount?**

It follows CPF Board’s published rates, but your payslip is what counts. Ask your employer or the fund if the amount differs.


## Sources

- [CPF Board — Contributions to self-help groups](https://www.cpf.gov.sg/employer/employer-obligations/contributions-to-self-help-groups) — Eligibility, wage bands, opt-out and payment. Page last updated 22 Sep 2026.