Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation Seniors to Receive $255 million in MediSave Top-Ups in July 2020

1. Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors will receive their 2020 MediSave top-ups in July. Together, they will receive a total of $255 million in MediSave top-ups under the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation Packages. No action is needed as the amounts will be credited directly into recipients’ MediSave accounts.

2. These MediSave top-ups can be used to pay the premiums for MediShield Life and other MediSave-approved insurance plans, as well as medical expenses such as hospitalisation, day surgeries, and outpatient treatments.

3. By end-June, Pioneers and Merdeka Generation seniors will receive letters informing them of the details of their MediSave top-ups for 2020, which will be credited in July. The letters will also inform them of other benefits that they are eligible for under the Pioneer or Merdeka Generation Packages.

4. About 450,000 Pioneers and 500,000 Merdeka Generation Seniors have been receiving the MediSave top-ups as part of the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation Packages, since they were launched in 2014 and 2019 respectively.

5. The Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation MediSave top-ups are given on top of the annual MediSave top-ups for Singaporeans aged 65 and above in 2020, under the GST Voucher Scheme ^[1]. These top-ups will be made in August 2020.

Eligible Pioneers will Receive a MediSave Top-Up of up to $800

6. This is the seventh year that Pioneers are receiving their MediSave top-ups, since the introduction of the Pioneer Generation Package in 2014.

7. Pioneers will receive between $200 to $800 in Pioneer Generation MediSave top-ups each year (see Table 1). The top-ups for Pioneers will amount to about $160 million in 2020. More information on all the benefits of the Pioneer Generation Package are at Annex A.

Eligible Merdeka Generation Seniors will Receive a MediSave Top-Up of $200

8. The Merdeka Generation Package, which was introduced last year, supports our Merdeka Generation seniors to stay active and healthy, and provides them with greater assurance with healthcare costs in their silver years. This is the second year that Merdeka Generation seniors are receiving their MediSave top-ups. More information on all the benefits of the Merdeka Generation Package are at Annex B.

9. Merdeka Generation seniors will receive $200 in Merdeka Generation MediSave top-ups every year, from 2019 to 2023. The top-ups for Merdeka seniors will amount to about $95 million in 2020.

More Information on Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation Packages

10. More information on the Pioneer Generation Package and Merdeka Generation Package is available at www.pioneers.sg and www.merdekageneration.sg respectively.

11. For clarifications, seniors may call or email:

a. 1800 2222 888 (payment matters); 1800 650 6060 (healthcare matters); or
b. contactus@pioneers.gov.sg / contactus@merdeka.gov.sg.

Issued by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health
Singapore
17 June 2020

^[1]

amount of GST Voucher – MediSave that a senior citizen can receive is dependent on age, Annual Value (AV) of place of residence, and the number of properties owned. More information can be found at https://www.gstvoucher.gov.sg.

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Annex A: About the Pioneer Generation Package

1. The Pioneer Generation Package was introduced to honour and thank our Pioneers for their hard work and dedication. This special cohort has made Singapore what it is today. Singaporean seniors who meet the following conditions are eligible for the Pioneer Generation Package:

a. Born on or earlier than 31 December 1949 (i.e. 71 years old and above in 2020); and

b. Became Singapore citizen on or before 31 December 1986.

2. The Pioneer Generation Package comprises the following lifetime benefits:

a. Annual MediSave top-ups of $200 to $800. The amount is based on the birth year. Pioneers born earlier receive higher top-ups as they typically have accumulated less savings.

b. Special subsidies for outpatient care:

i. Additional 50% off subsidised services and medications at polyclinics and public Specialist Outpatient Clinics;

ii. Special subsidies at General Practitioner (GP) and dental clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS); and

iii. Cash assistance of up to $1,200 a year for those with moderate to severe functional disabilities under the Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PGDAS).

c. Pioneer Generation premium subsidies of 40% - 60% for MediShield Life premiums.

d. Additional participation incentive of $1,500 if Pioneers join CareShield Life between 2021 and 2023. They will receive a total of $4,000 in participation incentives, which will be spread equally over ten years and used to offset the annual premium payable in that year.

Annex B: About the Merdeka Generation Package

1. The Merdeka Generation Package aims to encourage seniors to stay active and healthy, and provide greater assurance with healthcare costs in their silver years. Singaporean seniors who meet the following conditions are eligible for the Merdeka Generation Package:

   1. Born between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1959 (i.e. 61 to 70 years old in 2020); and

   2. Became Singapore citizens on or before 31 December 1996.

2. The Merdeka Generation Package is also extended to the following Singaporeans:

   1. Born on or earlier than 31 December 1949 (i.e. 71 years old and above in 2020); and

   2. Became Singapore citizens by 31 December 1996; and

   3. Do not receive the Pioneer Generation Package.

3. The Merdeka Generation Package comprises the following benefits:

   1. Annual MediSave top-up of $200 for five years, from 2019 to 2023.

   2. Additional subsidies for outpatient care:

      1. Additional 25% off subsidised services and medications at polyclinics and public Specialist Outpatient Clinics; and

      2. Special subsidies at General Practitioner (GP) and dental clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS).

   3. Additional 5% subsidy for MediShield Life premiums, increasing to 10% after age 75.

   4. One-time $100 top-up to PAssion Silver card.

4. Additional participation incentive of $1,500 if Merdeka Generation seniors join CareShield Life between 2021 and 2023. They will receive a total of $4,000 in participation incentives, which will be spread equally over ten years and used to offset the annual premium payable in that year.