1.7m S'poreans to get S$1b in GST vouchers, Medisave top-ups

Singapore

ABOUT 1.7 million Singaporeans will benefit from S$1 billion in goods and services tax (GST) vouchers and Medisave top-ups in the coming months.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said that eligible Singaporeans will receive text messages or letters by July 5 to inform them of their benefits.

They will receive the benefits between July and November.

Those belonging to the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation will receive their benefits in July, while about 1.4 million Singaporeans will receive GST vouchers, in cash, of up to S$300 each in August.

About 520,000 Singaporeans aged 65 and above in 2019 will receive up to S$450 each in GST vouchers in August as well.

Those born on or before Dec 31, 1969 - or those aged 50 and above this year - and who do not receive benefits for the Pioneer or Merdeka Generations will each get an annual S$100 top-up to their Medisave from 2019 to 2023.

This will be credited into their Medisave accounts in August, and is part of the five-year Medisave top-up scheme announced at this year's Budget.

From November, 1.4 million people will also get an additional cash payment of up to S$300 each as a Bicentennial Payment GST voucher, under the Bicentennial Bonus package announced in this year's Budget.

The package includes top-ups to Edusave accounts or post-secondary education accounts of Singaporeans aged seven to 20 - which will be made by the end of this month - and a personal income tax rebate.

It also includes a Workfare cash bonus for lower-wage workers who received Workfare Income Supplement payouts for the 2018 work year, and a Central Provident Fund top-up for lower-income Singaporeans with low balances. Both will paid to citizens by the end of this year.

Singaporeans can check their GST voucher benefits online at www.gstvoucher.gov.sgusing their SingPass.