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COMPASS C1: fixed monthly salary packaging edges
Companion to COMPASS — C1 is not the Stage-1 qualifying salary, what counts as fixed monthly pay vs allowances/bonuses, offer-letter packaging traps, and how SAT screenshots mislead candidates.
Parent map: COMPASS explained. Renewal firm-score layer: COMPASS firm scores on renewal. This companion is the C1 packaging failure mode — where “S$X package” and “fixed monthly salary” get swapped in Reddit threads.
Two different salary tests
Stage 1 qualifying salary (age-banded floor) is a hard gate. COMPASS C1 scores how your fixed monthly salary sits versus peers in the same occupation. Clearing Stage 1 does not automatically max C1 — and boosting C1 with allowance folklore does not invent a Stage 1 pass.
| Packaging claim | Safer reading |
|---|---|
| “Total package S$12k” | MOM cares about fixed monthly components first |
| “Guaranteed bonus every year” | Variable / discretionary pay usually sits outside fixed monthly |
| “Housing allowance is basically salary” | Allowances often fail the fixed-monthly test unless structured as such |
| “SAT said 20 points so we’re fine” | SAT is orientation — the filed fixed monthly figure still has to match reality |
Candidate / HR alignment checklist
- Separate fixed monthly vs variable / allowances / RSUs in the offer letter.
- Confirm the figure HR will type into EP Online / COMPASS C1.
- Re-run SAT only after that figure is locked — not on recruiter verbal package maths.
- On renewal, salary cuts or title drift can move C1 and firm scores — salary / occupation changes.
- Keep screenshots of the SAT inputs you actually used.
Decision rule
Fixed monthly salary is the COMPASS C1 input — not total package folklore. Align the contract line that payroll will pay every month before you resign overseas.
Sources & citations
Admin and policy details change. Prefer the official page when making decisions; we cite primary sources for Singapore government and statutory guidance.
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