Practical guide
How UIF Contributions Work
UIF contributions are generally shared by the employee and employer. Each contributes 1 percent of remuneration used for UIF, subject to the official earnings ceiling.
Fact checked and updated 13 September 2026
Employee and employer portions
The employee portion is deducted through payroll and the employer contributes a matching amount. The two amounts should not both be deducted from the employee’s pay.
The earnings ceiling
SARS states that the monthly earnings ceiling is R17 712 and the maximum contribution for each party is R177.12 per month. If remuneration is below the ceiling, each portion is normally 1 percent of the applicable remuneration.
When to check payroll
Compare the remuneration used, the employee deduction and the employer contribution. Employment type and exclusions can affect liability, so confirm unusual cases with payroll, SARS or the UIF.
Use the related calculators
Apply the explanation above with your own figures. Open a calculator below, check every input and review the result assumptions before making a decision.
Official source checked
This guide was checked against SARS Unemployment Insurance Fund. Rules, rates and institutional requirements can change, so confirm time-sensitive information at the official source.