Singaporean citizens belonging to the Pioneer and Merdeka generations will receive MediSave top-ups in July, ranging from $200 to $1,100. In a joint statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health announced that the government’s expenditure on these top-ups will amount to $254 million, which is lower than the $270 million allocated in 2022.
The MediSave top-ups can be utilized for various purposes, including the payment of premiums for MediShield Life and CareShield Life, as well as other approved insurance plans, hospitalization, day surgery, and outpatient treatments.
The specific amount of MediSave top-up for each Pioneer individual varies, ranging from $250 to $900 annually. Singaporeans born between 1945 and 1949 will receive $250, those born between 1940 and 1944 will receive $500, individuals born between 1935 and 1939 will be granted $700, and those born in 1934 or earlier will receive $900.
To alleviate the financial burden caused by higher MediShield Life premiums, Singaporeans aged 84 and above in 2023, who also have serious pre-existing conditions, will receive an additional annual sum of $50 (for individuals aged 84 to 88) or $200 (for those aged 88 and above) until 2025.
The Pioneer Generation Package, introduced in 2014, serves as a gesture of gratitude towards Singaporeans who made significant contributions during the nation’s early years. This year, the top-ups for the Pioneer Generation will total approximately $160 million. The amount allocated will completely cover the MediShield premiums for individuals aged 89 and above in 2023, while younger pioneers will have around two-thirds of their premiums covered.
The Merdeka Generation Package, launched in 2019, aims to encourage active and healthy lifestyles among seniors born between 1950 and 1959, offering them greater assurance regarding healthcare costs. Eligible recipients of this package will receive $200 in annual MediSave top-ups for five years, from 2019 to 2023. The top-ups for the Merdeka generation this year will exceed $94 million.
Seniors who qualify for these benefits and have downloaded and set up their Singpass (a digital identity app for Singaporeans) will receive notifications regarding their top-up amounts by June 20. Individuals without the app, but who have registered their mobile numbers with Singpass before Sunday, will receive an SMS by June 20 informing them of their eligibility. The remaining seniors will receive letters by the end of June.
To prevent scams, the SMS notifications will solely provide information about the benefits and will not request a response or any personal details. The ministries have emphasized that messages regarding the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation packages will not be sent via WhatsApp or other messaging platforms. They further stated that approximately 950,000 seniors have already benefited from MediSave top-ups since the launch of the Pioneer and Merdeka generation packages.
In addition to the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation MediSave top-ups, Singaporeans aged 65 and above also receive annual MediSave top-ups under the GST Voucher Scheme.
For more detailed information on the Pioneer Generation Package, individuals can visit the following website: [website link]. Similarly, information on the Merdeka Generation Package can be found at this website: [website link].
For any inquiries, individuals can contact 1800-222-2888 or 1800-650-6060. Alternatively, they can send an email to [email protected]