Eligible Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation Seniors to Receive MediSave Top-Ups Amounting to $270 million in July 2019

1. Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors will receive their 2019 MediSave top-ups in July. They will receive a total of $270 million in MediSave top-ups under the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation Packages. 

2. Pioneers and Merdeka Generation seniors may use these MediSave top-ups to pay for their MediShield Life premiums and other MediSave-approved insurance plans, hospitalisation, day surgery, and approved outpatient treatments. 

MediSave Top-Ups for Pioneers

3. The Pioneer Generation Package was introduced in 2014 to thank and honour our Pioneers for their contributions in the early years of our nation. This is the sixth year that Pioneers are receiving their MediSave top-ups.

4. In the coming week, Pioneers will receive letters informing them of their Pioneer Generation MediSave top-ups for 2019, which will be credited in July. The letter will also inform Pioneers of other benefits that they are eligible for under the Pioneer Generation Package (see Annex A).

5. Every year, Pioneers receive between $200 to $800 in Pioneer Generation MediSave top-ups (see Table 1). This benefit is for life. The top-up is expected to cost about $170 million in 2019. 

Table 1: Amount of Annual Pioneer Generation MediSave Top-Up by Year of Birth

MediSave Top-Ups for Merdeka Generation Seniors

6. The Merdeka Generation Package, which was announced at the Budget this year, encourages seniors to stay active and healthy, and provides greater assurance with healthcare costs in their silver years. Merdeka Generation seniors will receive their MediSave top-ups for the first time this year.

7. Merdeka Generation seniors would have received their eligibility notification letters by early May 2019, informing them of the benefits that they are eligible for (see Annex B). These benefits include $200 in Merdeka Generation MediSave top-ups every year, from 2019 to 2023. The top-up is expected to cost about $100 million in 2019. 

8. The Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation MediSave top-ups are given on top of the MediSave top-ups for Singaporeans aged 65 and above in 2019 under the GST Voucher Scheme .

Contact Information

9. More details on the Pioneer Generation Package can be found at www.pioneers.sg, and additional information on the Merdeka Generation Package can be found at www.merdekageneration.sg. 

10. Those with queries on the Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation Packages can contact:

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

Issued by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health
Singapore
13 June 2019

[1] The 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.

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. To be eligible for the Pioneer Generation Package, Singaporeans have to meet two criteria:

a. Born on or earlier than 31 December 1949 (i.e. 70 years old and above in 2019); and
b. Became Singapore citizens 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. To be eligible for the Merdeka Generation Package, Singaporeans have to meet two criteria:

a. Born between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1959 (i.e. 60 to 69 years old in 2019); and
b. Became Singapore citizens on or before 31 December 1996.

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

a. Born on or earlier than 31 December 1949 (i.e. 70 years old and above in 2019); and
b. Became Singapore citizens by 31 December 1996; and
c. Do not receive the Pioneer Generation Package.

3. The Merdeka Generation Package comprises the following benefits:

a. One-off $100 top-up to PAssion Silver card.
b. Annual MediSave top-up of $200 for five years, from 2019 to 2023.
c. Special subsidies for outpatient care:

i. Additional 25% off subsidised services and medications at polyclinics and public Specialist Outpatient Clinics; and
ii. Special subsidies at General Practitioner (GP) and dental clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS).

d. 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.

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