Singapore's retirement system has achieved historic recognition as the best in the Asia-Pacific region, joining an elite global group alongside the Netherlands, Iceland, Denmark, and Israel in the 2025 Mercer retirement income index covering 52 systems worldwide using over 50 performance indicators.
The city-state scored 80.8—the highest in Asia and fourth globally—marking one of eight systems upgraded this year, with Singapore's improved standing driven primarily by stronger results in system sustainability and integrity, which offset a modest decline in adequacy metrics.
Singapore's pension framework centers on the Central Provident Fund, a mandatory contribution scheme covering all employed citizens and permanent residents through joint employer and worker contributions, supported by enhanced government transparency initiatives that provide citizens with clearer visibility into expected retirement payouts.
The evaluation assessed retirement income systems across three critical pillars: adequacy measuring sufficient income for decent living standards, sustainability reflecting long-term capacity to meet future obligations, and integrity gauging public trust and system reliability in the framework.
Across the broader Asia-Pacific region, Australia ranked second with 77.6, followed by Hong Kong at 70.6, while Southeast Asian peers including Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines scored 60.6, 53.7, 51.0, 50.6, and 47.1 respectively, underscoring Singapore's leadership in regional pension system excellence.
