CPF Mandatory??

[2GoOrNot2Go]

Hi, could someone please help me with understanding how the social security works? I will be considering an offer soon and the low tax is obviously a huge advantage. I just found out that the CPF is 20%. Is this required? If so, do I get it back after my 3 years, i.e. after I move back home? Could anyone help me with other unclear costs?
To make the calculation easy, lets assume I make S$100,000, do I have to pay 20% into CPF and then am taxed on the 80,000? How much does medical/dental cost in Singapore, private insurance, etc. for a small family of 3. Anything else I am forgetting other than the obvious costs one has?
Cheers for any help!

[No need]

With a normal employment pass you don't have to pay personally anything to any CPF account. Also your company is not anymore obliged to pay you any CPF money. It used to be few years back.

If you get any allowances on top of the salary they are partly taxable. Check government website (iras).

[nottobad]

Unless you apply for PR you do not have to pay CPF when in Singapore, so you can just discount it, unless you want to try and use it as a savings scheme and also get your employer to contribute.

Tax rates you can get direct from the inland revenue Singapore website. For 100K it will be about 7k/year.

Medical, you can pay for private, Bupa, AXA etc, or look for NTUC the local union and incomeshield, which I think including life cover is about $700/year.

Housing, good value for about 1.6-2k/month.

Transport costsa, cheap taxis, buses. Avoid a car unless you feel paying $1.2-1.6/month lease plus fuel is really a necessity.

Schools/nurseys, I hear are expensive,need to shop about.

Beer, $3.5 to $20 a drink. Choose where you socialise wisely !

Food, local ($2 - $5) and international (>$15) is cheap and good value.

Good luck, 100K will give you a resonable living as long as you don't go mad !

No other unknown costs really, monthly bills may come to around $500, phone, internet, services etc.)