Hi experts,

I am currently in need of your fellow opinion regarding my new job offer. I am currently in sales role in a MNC on FMCG sector & drawing about ( RM8k basic + RM7k commision monthly). My company is currently looking to promote me into a regional role & to be based in Singapore. The offer letter is not being issued, so I have no clarity in terms of compensation package. For now, I know that the company is giving a housing allowance in my new role. However, I would like to know on how much should I ask for my new role ?

For some context, I will be relocating there with my wife & 2 year old kid. My wife is currently not working & she will.be under dependent visa if we were to move to Singapore. I am also thinking of asking my company to include education allowance for my kid.

Kindly advice if you have any experience on this. Thanks

The closer you are to a 1-to-1 ratio between MYR to SGD the better. Do factor in the job rank as well. SM should be looking at $10-11k.

Company should cover for your Kids education

I will not be ranked as SM ( maybe more towards a Manager). Also I will be an individual contributor. With this info, can I still aim for 11k SGD Pre-tax ? Also I was tols that the employer CPF is around 17% for PR & Citizen. Since, I am none of that, can I request the sum to be included in my compensation package ?

I was told the same by colleagues. However, I am uncertain if nursery counts as apart of education.

Dude. Do your maths. There are so many hidden cost if you want to move there with the fam.
1. How much is the housing allowance? HDB are now fetching S$3k+ in rental.
2. As a foreigner, your kids will probably end up in private school. S$1K per kid per month. If you and fam get a PR in 1.5 years, that is still 440 – $520 per kid, per month.
3. Kids too young for MRT? Then you need to buy a car.

The above are just the tip of the iceberg. If I were you, go SG first, but go alone. When you have the maths sorted out, then bring the fam.

I've been working there for 7yrs, still can't afford to bring the fam over.

CPF is capped at S$1200 max per month. Bonuses are at 20% (no cap).

E.g. 1
Salary - S$10,000, CPF = S$1,200

E.g. 2
Salary - S$10,000, CPF = S$1,200
Bonus - S$20,000, CPF = $4,000
Total CPF = S$5,200.

Hi there. Below are the details that I know for now :

1. My company allocates 3k SGD for housing allowance for singles. However, the package is different for families ( I am not sure by how much). I am personally aiming for 3.5 to 4k SGD for housing allowance.

2. Kids education are usually taken by my company. However, since my kid is only 2 years old, I am unsure whether nursery counts as "education". Need some info for this

3. Company car is provided for me.

Is there anything else that I should consider ? Appreciate some insights here

Thank you for sharing this. In that, I would negotiate for an additional 1.2k SGD as apart of CPF contribution ( hopefully they are willing to consider).

It sounds like you are getting an expat package. You are all set. Congratulations!

As for the CPF, you are not entitled - not yet. Only citizen and PR gets to enjoy the benefits of CPF. Apply for PR after 6 month.

No harm in trying, but as someone else said, if you're going to be here on an employment pass (EP), it's likely the CPF portion has already been factored in your total salary package.

Good luck, and it sounds like you're getting a good deal! An expat package is really hard to come by in these times.

SGD 3,500 to SGD 4,000 can comfortably get you an HDB rental, or a small condominium in the fringes. It would be hard for you to get anything near the city for this - but, if you work away from the city, this may work well in your favour.

For reference, one of my condominiums near the prime districts of 9, 10 & 11 (1 room, loft style) is tenanted out to an expat for a Pharma company for SGD 3,500 per month - and that's definitely not suitable for a family of 3.

Thank you for sharing this info. Also may I know, if the 1.2k SGD CPF is included in the package stated in mycareerfuture website ?

Usually what happens is that a salary is given eg $5,000. From there, you deduct your 20% whilst the employer tops up 17%. The 20% you take away to put into CPF is included in the $5,000 but not the 17% the employer contributes.

However, as you’re not a PR, your salary will not be deducted and your employer won’t be contributing the 17% which is likely already factored into your offer salary.

This post has been edited by hksgmy: Sep 7 2023, 04:56 PM

All In

Hi TS, have you come to a decision yet?

Yes, I will be taking the offer & relocate to SG

Congratulations! I hope your company agreed to all your conditions!

They did & the offer is above my expectations..... will definitely apply for PR next year

Congratulations buddy! 🎊🎉