Sign Up For Progress Package Starts 1 April

From 1 April 2006, adult Singaporeans can sign up for the Progress Package so as to receive it on 1 May 2006.

2.3 Million Adult Singaporeans Qualify for Growth Dividends

2. There are four payouts to individuals in the Progress Package. They are the Growth Dividends, the Workfare Bonus, the 40th Anniversary National Service Bonus, and the CPF top-ups to the Special/Retirement and Medisave Accounts.

3. The Growth Dividends will benefit 2.3 million adult Singaporeans. Among these, 875,000 older Singaporeans aged 50 and above will also receive CPF top-ups to their Special/Retirement Accounts. To date, 260,000 workers have qualified for the Workfare Bonus. Over 700,000 Singaporeans who have or are serving National Service will also receive the National Service Bonus.

Easy Sign-Up Via ATMs and Internet

4. All Singaporeans aged 21 and above as of 31 December 2005 should have received a letter from the CPF Board informing them of their Progress Package amount and how to sign up.

5. From 1 April 2006, they can sign up at any DBS/POSB/UOB/OCBC ATMs or through the Progress Package website at www.progress.gov.sg for the money to be credited directly into their bank accounts. They need to do so by 25 April 2006 for the money to be credited on 1 May 2006. Those who wish to donate their Progress Package to a charity of their choice can do so via the Progress Package website, which has a direct link to the National Council of Social Services' Online Donation Portal.

Help for Low-Income and Elderly Singaporeans to Sign Up

6. Those who do not have a bank account can request for a cheque by filling up a form PP/1 available at any SingPost office, Community Centre/Community Development Council or CPF Service Centre. They must send the form to the CPF Board by 15 April 2006 to get their cheque by 1 May 2006.

7. The Ministry of Finance will help low-income and older Singaporeans sign up for the Progress Package. From 1 April till 15 April 2006, Progress Package Help Desks are set up at Community Centres and Community Development Councils to help them understand the Progress Package and fill up the forms. The Ministry is also enlisting the help of grassroots leaders to visit residents in 1- and 2- room HDB flats to help them sign up. The Ministry has also briefed Voluntary Welfare Organisations which will conduct their own outreach efforts. It is also working with the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Health, the Singapore Prison Service and Voluntary Welfare Organisations to conduct organised Progress Package Sign-Up Sessions in community hospitals, welfare and nursing homes and prisons.

Public Enquiries

8. For more information on the Progress Package, the public can visit the Progress Package website at www.progress.gov.sg or call the CPF Board at 1800-2222-888.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE