CDAC Contribution Singapore 2026: Rates & Complete Guide

Introduction

The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) is one of the main self-help groups in Singapore, serving the needs of the Chinese community especially those from lower-income households.

Founded in 1992, the CDAC is committed to transforming lives through educational pathways, employment support and social assistance programmes.

If you work in Singapore, you may see a small amount deducted every month for CDAC through yourCentral Provident Fund (CPF). 

Here’s everything we’ll cover on how CDAC contributions work in 2026, the requirements to contribute and other pertinent details.

How CDAC Uses Your Contributions

CDAC contributions are deducted automatically through the CPF system for eligible employees. Employers submit CPF contributions as usual, and the CDAC contribution is deducted based on the employee’s race and monthly income.

They apply mainly to:

• Chinese Singapore Citizens
• Chinese Permanent Residents

If you belong to more than one race or religion, your contribution may be split across different self-help groups (SHGs).

CDAC Contribution Rates for 2026

As of 2026, CDAC contribution rates remain unchanged and are based on your monthly income:

Monthly Income	Monthly Contribution
Below $2,000	$0.50
$2,000 – $3,499	$1.00
$3,500 – $4,999	$1.50
$5,000 – $7,499	$2.00
$7,500 and above	$3.00

Source: CPF Board.

Why CDAC Contributions Matter

Even though the amount is small, the impact is significant.

Education Support

CDAC provides:

• Scholarships and bursaries
• Tuition programmes
• Academic support

This helps students from lower-income families access better opportunities.

Employment Assistance

CDAC supports job seekers through:

• Career guidance
• Skills training
• Job placement programmes

Social Welfare Support

Families facing financial difficulties can receive:

• Financial aid
• Family support services
• Community assistance

Youth Development

CDAC also invests in youth by:

• Building leadership skills
• Supporting talent development
• Encouraging personal growth

Is CDAC Contribution Mandatory?

CDAC contributions are automatically deducted via CPF for eligible individuals.

However, they are not strictly compulsory because you can choose to opt out.

This means:

• By default – contributions apply
• If you prefer – you can stop them

Who Needs to Contribute?

You are generally required to contribute if:

• You are a Chinese Singapore Citizen or PR
• You are employed and earning income

For mixed race individuals, contributions depend on CPF classification.

Who Is Exempt?

You typically do not need to contribute if you are:

• A full-time National Serviceman
• A full-time student

Self-Help Group (SHG) Contributions – Simple Overview

In Singapore, SHG contributions depend on your declared race/religion under CPF.

Group	Self-Help Organisation
Chinese	CDAC
Indian	SINDA
Muslim	MBMF
Eurasian	Eurasian Association (EA)

Mixed Race Cases

If you belong to multiple groups, contributions may be shared.

For example:

• Chinese + Muslim– CDAC + MBMF
• Indian + Muslim– SINDA + MBMF

Detailed SHG Contribution Table

S/N	Race/Religion Combination	Contribution To
1	Chinese-Indian	CDAC
2	Chinese-Eurasian	CDAC
3	Chinese-Muslim	CDAC & MBMF
4	Chinese-Indian-Eurasian	CDAC
5	Chinese-Indian-Muslim	CDAC & MBMF
6	Indian-Chinese	SINDA
7	Indian-Eurasian	SINDA
8	Indian-Muslim	SINDA & MBMF
9	Indian-Eurasian-Chinese	SINDA
10	Indian-Muslim-Chinese	SINDA & MBMF
11	Muslim-Chinese	MBMF & CDAC
12	Muslim-Indian	MBMF & SINDA
13	Muslim-Eurasian	MBMF & EA
14	Muslim-Chinese-Indian	MBMF & CDAC
15	Muslim-Eurasian-Chinese	MBMF & EA
16	Eurasian-Chinese	EA
17	Eurasian-Indian	EA
18	Eurasian-Muslim	EA & MBMF
19	Eurasian-Indian-Chinese	EA
20	Eurasian-Chinese-Muslim	EA & MBMF
21	Chinese-Caucasian	CDAC
22	Chinese-Caucasian-Indian	CDAC
23	Chinese-Caucasian-Muslim	CDAC & MBMF

How to Opt Out of CDAC Contribution

If you do not wish to contribute, you can opt out.

Steps to follow:

1. Contact CDAC
2. Provide your personal/employment details
3. Submit your opt-out request
4. Confirm your decision
5. Receive confirmation

Email: cdacfund@cdac.org.sg

Once processed, future deductions will stop.

Summary: What Employers and Employees Need to Know About CDAC in 2026

CDAC contributions may be small, but they help fund education, employment, social welfare, and community support programmes for the Chinese community in Singapore.

Understanding who needs to contribute, how much is deducted, and how the opt-out process works can help you better understand your CPF deductions and make informed financial decisions.

As policies may change over time, it is always a good idea to check the latest updates from CDAC and the CPF Board.

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