Proposal for CPF Contributions to be Paid when Foreign Spouses of Singaporeans Work

38 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry can allow the foreign spouse of a Singaporean who is holding a Long-Term Visit Pass Plus and who has Singaporean children to have CPF contributions that can be used to help support the family's housing loan.

Dr Tan See Leng: The CPF system is designed to support Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents in their retirement, healthcare and housing needs. Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus holders married to Singapore Citizens are supported by other measures and such couples also receive support in the area of housing. If these foreign spouses are granted Permanent Residency, the requirement to contribute to CPF will begin.

A spouse on Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus can support the family’s housing loan through cash. For HDB flat owners, HDB exercises flexibility and considers appeals to include the foreign spouse’s income for the computation of the loan amount on a case-by-case basis.