Employee (1%)
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per month
Employer (1%)
R 0,00
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Estimate only. This applies 1% to gross pay up to the R17,712 monthly ceiling. Your exact UIF-qualifying remuneration may differ. Confirm with SARS, the Department of Employment and Labour, or your payroll administrator.
How UIF is calculated in South Africa
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) gives workers access to benefits if they lose their income — through retrenchment, illness, maternity and more. Contributions total 2% of remuneration: 1% deducted from the employee and 1% paid by the employer.
Contributions only apply to earnings up to the monthly ceiling of R17 712. So the most any employee contributes is R177,12 a month, matched by R177,12 from the employer — R354,24 combined. The employer deducts the employee's share, adds its own, and pays the total over to SARS each month.
The ceiling was raised from R14 872 to R17 712, increasing the maximum contribution for higher earners.
Frequently asked questions
How much UIF do I pay?
UIF is 1% of your monthly remuneration, deducted from your salary, and your employer contributes another 1% — so 2% in total goes to the fund. It's capped, because contributions only apply to earnings up to the monthly ceiling of R17,712.
What is the UIF ceiling for 2026?
The monthly earnings ceiling for UIF is R17,712, raised from R14,872. That means the maximum contribution is R177.12 per month from the employee and R177.12 from the employer (R354.24 combined).
Who pays UIF?
Both the employee and the employer contribute 1% each. The employer deducts the employee's 1% from their pay, adds its own 1%, and pays the combined 2% over to SARS (or via uFiling) each month.
Is UIF calculated on gross or basic salary?
UIF is calculated on remuneration for UIF purposes, up to the monthly ceiling. This calculator applies 1% to your gross monthly pay, capped at the R17,712 ceiling.
What is UIF?
UIF is South Africa's Unemployment Insurance Fund. Employees and employers each contribute 1% of remuneration so that workers can claim benefits if they lose their income under qualifying circumstances.
How do I calculate my UIF contribution?
Multiply your monthly remuneration by 1% (0.01), up to the R17,712 monthly ceiling. Above the ceiling the contribution is fixed at R177.12. Enter your salary above and the calculator does this for you.
When can I claim UIF benefits?
UIF benefits can be claimed for unemployment, and for maternity, illness, adoption or parental leave, subject to the Department of Labour's rules. This calculator works out contributions, not benefit amounts.
Do employers submit UIF every month?
Yes. Employers declare and pay UIF monthly, via SARS or the Department of Labour's uFiling system. Bluubin's payroll produces a ready-to-submit UIF declaration from each run.
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