Starting from July 1, 2023, national servicemen serving in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will experience an increase in their National Service (NS) allowance.
The increment will vary depending on their rank and vocation, with a minimum addition of S$125 and going up to S$200.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on May 29 that this modification will result in an increment ranging from 10.9% to 21.7% for national servicemen, supporting their basic personal needs during their full-time service.
The statement released by MINDEF and MHA emphasized the regular review and adjustment of the NS allowance to ensure its adequacy.
Over the past decade, three adjustments have been implemented, including the most recent one in March 2020, which saw an increase of at least S$70.
To comprehend the current increase, let’s consider the example of a recruit or trainee holding the rank of an NSF. Their monthly NS allowance will rise from the existing amount of S$630 to S$755, signifying a difference of S$125.
Similarly, a corporal serving as an SAF NSF naval diver, SPF NSF Police Tactical Trooper, or SCDF NSF firefighter will experience an increase in their monthly NS allowance from S$1,050 to S$1,250.
MINDEF’s press release
From 1 July 2023, all national servicemen in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will receive a $125 to $200 increase in their National Service (NS) allowance, depending on their rank and vocation.
With this adjustment, national servicemen will see their NS allowances increase by between 10.9% to 21.7%. The NS allowance, which supports full-time national servicemen (NSFs) in their basic personal upkeep, is reviewed and adjusted periodically to ensure that it remains adequate. Three adjustments have been made over the last ten years, the most recent being in March 2020 when allowances were increased by $70 to $120.
As an example, with this revision, an NSF holding the rank of Recruit/Trainee will receive a monthly NS allowance of $755, up from the current $630.
An SAF NSF naval diver or SPF NSF Police Tactical Trooper or SCDF NSF firefighter holding the rank of Corporal will receive a monthly NS allowance of $1,250, up from the current $1,050. Table 1 provides a comparison between the current and revised monthly NS allowance.
Table 1: Current and Revised Monthly NS Allowance (per month)
Notes.
1. The revised NS allowance reflected above includes a minimum vocation allowance of $75. Additional vocation allowance paid to national servicemen in selected vocations (e.g. combat vocations) are excluded from this table.
2. NSFs receive a 5% increment for every 12 months that they serve in that rank. NSmen receive a 5 to 10 % increment if they satisfactorily complete an NS activity in the preceding work year.