Who Pays for My Maternity Leave - My Employer or the Government?
In Singapore, the cost of maternity leave is split between your employer and the government. Here is exactly how it works and what caps apply.
How the Cost Is Split
Your maternity leave pay comes through your employer's payroll, but the cost is shared. The government reimburses your employer for a significant portion of what they pay you, and also funds the later weeks of leave directly.
| Leave Period | Who Pays You | Government Reimburses | Cap Per 4-Week Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 8 | Employer pays you | Yes, government reimburses employer | S$10,000 per 4-week block (S$20,000 total) |
| Weeks 9 to 16 | Government pays (via employer payroll) | Not applicable (government pays directly) | S$10,000 per 4-week block (S$20,000 total) |
What this means for you in practice
Your pay comes through your normal payroll throughout your maternity leave. You do not need to claim money from the government directly. Your employer handles the reimbursement process with the government on the backend.
Government Cap: What It Means for Higher Earners
The government reimburses up to S$10,000 per 4-week block. For the 16 weeks of GPML, this means a maximum government contribution of S$40,000 in total (S$20,000 for weeks 1-8 via employer reimbursement, and S$20,000 directly for weeks 9-16).
If your salary means you earn more than S$10,000 per 4 weeks (roughly S$30,000 per month), your employer pays the difference above the cap for weeks 1 to 8. For weeks 9 to 16, the government only pays up to the cap, and your employer is not required to top up the difference unless your employment contract says otherwise.
Example: S$8,000 monthly salary
4 weeks of pay = S$8,000. Government cap is S$10,000 per 4 weeks. You receive full pay of S$8,000 per 4 weeks throughout your maternity leave.
Example: S$15,000 monthly salary
4 weeks of pay = S$15,000. Government cap is S$10,000 per 4 weeks. During weeks 1-8: employer pays you S$15,000 and government reimburses S$10,000 (employer absorbs S$5,000). During weeks 9-16: government pays S$10,000 only unless your employer contract guarantees full pay.
PR or Foreigner Baby: How Pay Differs
If your baby is a Permanent Resident or a foreign national (not an SC), the payment structure is different.
| Baby's Status | Leave Weeks | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| SC baby | 16 weeks | Weeks 1-8: employer pays (government reimburses). Weeks 9-16: government pays directly. |
| PR or foreigner baby | 12 weeks | Weeks 1-8: employer pays. Weeks 9-12: employer pays with no government reimbursement. Employer bears the full cost. |
If you give birth to a PR or foreigner baby but your baby subsequently acquires SC status within 12 months, you can claim the additional weeks (weeks 9-16 GPML). Keep the baby's citizenship documents and claim within 3 months of citizenship being granted.
What If Your Baby Dies or Is Stillborn?
Claiming Process and Stillbirth Coverage
Your employer is responsible for submitting the GPML claim to the government via the GovBenefits portal. You do not need to do this yourself. Your employer will ask you for:
- Your baby's birth certificate
- Your NRIC or passport
- Your marriage certificate (if applicable, for the government-paid portion)
If your baby dies or is stillborn
Government-paid maternity leave still applies if your baby is stillborn after 28 weeks of gestation, or if your baby is born alive but passes away. You are still entitled to your full maternity leave entitlement. Speak to your HR or MOM if you need support navigating this.
Claims must be made within 3 months after the end of your maternity leave period. If your employer delays or does not apply, contact MOM at mom.gov.sg or call 6438-5122.