Benefits for Singapore Citizens & Permanent Residents Education Subsidies & Scheme Subsidies & Schemes Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident School Fees payable per year in S$ Government Schools Primary Level Free S$42 Secondary Level S$60 S$72 Pre-University Level (e.g. Junior Colleges, Centralised Institute) S$72 S$84 Independent Schools Secondary Level S$1,800 S$3,060 S$2,160 S$3,672 1 Pre-University Level (only applicable for Junior Colleges) Others S$2,700 S$4,800 S$3,240 S$5,760 ITE S$164 S$496 S$180 S$546 Polytechnics S$2,100 S$2,310 1 Excluding fees for the Singapore Sports School which charges Singapore Permanent Residents three times the fees of Singapore Citizens. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 1
Subsidies & Schemes Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Universities (e.g. NUS, NTU, SMU) S$6,110 S$6,720 Edusave Scheme 2 Eligibility Government Schools Primary Level Not eligible Secondary Level Not eligible Pre-University Level (e.g. Junior Colleges, Centralised Institute) Independent Schools Not eligible Secondary Level Not eligible Pre-University Level (only applicable for Junior Colleges) Others Not eligible ITE Not eligible For more information on education matters, please visit the Ministry of Education s (MOE) website: http://www.moe.gov.sg. 2 Edusave Scheme helps to maximise opportunities for all Singaporean children. The Scheme rewards students who perform well or who make good progress in their academic and non-academic work, and provides students and schools with funds to pay for enrichment programmes or to purchase additional resources Information updated as at 1 May 2009 2
Benefits for Singapore Citizens & Permanent Residents Healthcare Subsidies & Schemes Subsidies & Schemes Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Subsidies for Public & Restructured Hospitals (% Subsidised ) Types of Ward Class Class B1 20% 10% Class B2 65% 55% Class C 80% 70% Types of Service Day Surgery 65% 55% Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC) 50% 40% Subsidies for Polyclinics Medical Consultation Charges (S$) Adult S$8.80 S$9.30 S$13.50 S$14.50 Information updated as at 1 May 2009 1
Subsidies & Schemes Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Child / Elderly 1 S$4.60 S$5.10 S$13.50 S$14.50 Healthcare Financing Schemes Medisave 2 (under CPF) 3 6.5-9% of monthly wage 6.5-9% of monthly wage Medishield 4 Medifund 5 Not eligible 1 Child subsidies are applicable to Singapore Citizens below 18 as well as those holding secondary school student passes. Elderly subsidies are applicable to Singapore Citizens age 65 and above. 2 Medisave is a national medical savings scheme which helps individuals put aside part of their income into their Medisave Accounts under the Central Provident Fund (CPF) to meet their future personal or immediate family's hospitalisation, day surgery and certain outpatient expenses. Under the scheme, every employee contributes 6.5-9% (depending on age group) of his/her monthly salary to a personal Medisave account. The savings can be withdrawn to pay the hospital bills of the account holder and his immediate family members 3 The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is a social security savings plan for both Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents in Singapore where both employer and employee make monthly contributions to this fund. The coverage for this fund includes retirement, healthcare, home ownership, family protection needs and asset enhancements. 4 MediShield is a low cost catastrophic illness insurance scheme that aims to help members meet medical expenses from major or prolonged illnesses, which could not be sufficiently covered by their Medisave balance. 5 Medifund is an endowment fund set up by the Government to help needy Singaporeans who are unable to pay for their medical expenses. The scheme acts as a safety net for those who cannot afford the subsidised bill charges, despite Medisave and MediShield coverage Information updated as at 1 May 2009 2
Subsidies & Schemes Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Eldershield 6 Interim Disability Assistance Programme for Not eligible the Elderly (IDAPE) 7 Primary Care Partnership Scheme 8 Not eligible For more information on healthcare issues, please visit the Ministry of Health (MOH) website: http://www.moh.gov.sg. For more information on Central Provident Fund (CPF) matters, please visit the CPF website: http://www.cpf.gov.sg. 6 ElderShield is an affordable severe disability insurance scheme which provides basic financial protection to those who need long-term care, especially during old age. It provides a monthly cash payout to help pay the out-of-pocket expenses for the care of a severely-disabled person. The Central Provident Fund (CPF) members ie. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with Medisave accounts are automatically covered under ElderShield at the age of 40. 7 Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE) is a government assistance scheme that provides financial help to needy and disabled elderly Singaporean who are not eligible for the Eldershield coverage because of their age or pre-existing disabilities 8 Primary Care Partnership Scheme refers to a scheme that provides affordable and convenient healthcare for needy elderly and disabled Singaporeans. Needy patients can receive subsidised outpatient medical treatments and basic dental services in participating private General Practitioners (GPs) and dental clinics near their homes. The scheme will cover treatments for 3 chronic diseases: Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Lipid Disorders (eg. high cholesterol). Information updated as at 1 May 2009 3
Benefits for Singapore Citizens & Permanent Residents Residential Arrangements Types of Residence Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Private Residential Non-landed / Private Apartments (e.g. condominiums) Purchase Rental Private Residential Landed Property (e.g. bungalows, semi-detached house & terrace house) Purchase 1 Rental Public Housing (apartments developed by Housing & Development Board [HDB]) Purchase of subsidised new flats (2/3/4/5-rooms & Executive Flats) Purchase of subsidised new flats (Executive Condominiums) 2 3 Not eligible Not eligible 1 Prior approval from the Minister for Law is required for a foreign person to acquire or purchase restricted residential property ie. private landed property. The approval form can be downloaded from the Singapore Land Authority. 2 The main applicant must be a Singapore Citizen and at least 21 years old at time of application. The family nucleus must comprise a Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR). 3 The main applicant must be a Singapore Citizen and at least 21 years old at time of application. The family nucleus must comprise a Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR). Information updated as at 1 May 2009 1
Types of Residence Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Purchase of subsidised new flats (Studio Apartments) 4 Not eligible Purchase of resale flats (Subject to HDB s eligibility schemes) Rental of subsidised flats from HDB 5 Not eligible Rental of a room / flat from Home Owners Eligibility for Central Provident Fund 6 (CPF) housing grant Not eligible Main Upgrading Programme 7 (MUP) Eligibility for main upgrading subsidy 8 Not eligible 9 4 The main applicant must be Singapore Citizen and at least 55 years old at the time of application. If there are other applicants such as spouse, parents, siblings or children, they must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents and are of 21 years old at time of application. 5 The applicant must be a Singapore Citizen. At least one of the proposed occupiers listed in the application must be either a Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Resident. 6 The CPF is a social security savings plan for both Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents in Singapore where both employer and employee make monthly contributions to this fund. The coverage for this fund includes retirement, healthcare, home ownership, family protection needs and asset enhancements. 7 The Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) includes improvements that are made to the precinct, and within the blocks and flats. 8 The amount of subsidy depends on the flat type and whether the flat owner has previously enjoyed any upgrading subsidy under the MUP. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 2
Types of Residence Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Eligibility for HDB concessionary interest rate for payment for upgrading cost for MUP Not eligible 10 Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) Eligibility for lift upgrading subsidy Not eligible 11 Eligibility for HDB s concessionary interest rate for payment for upgrading cost by installment for LUP Not eligible 12 9 A Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) owner who has been billed for the full upgrading cost after the completion of MUP works can claim reimbursement of the upgrading subsidy provided the SPR owner obtains his or her Singapore Citizenship within one year from the date of billing of the upgrading cost, and the claim is made within one year of obtaining the citizenship. In addition, he or she must still be the owner of the flat at the time of the reimbursement. 10 Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households who wish to convert their interest scheme from the HDB market interest rate to concessionary interest rate if any of the SPR flat owner(s) obtains Singapore Citizenship (SC) must do so within one year from the date of billing of the upgrading cost. The interest rate on the outstanding upgrading cost will be converted to the prevailing HDB concessionary interest rate from the first day of the month following the date the SPR flat owner obtains SC. 11 HDB will reimburse Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households with the upgrading subsidy if any of the SPR flat owners obtain Singapore Citizenship within one year from the date of billing of the upgrading cost. The SPR flat owners must still be the owner of the flat at the time of the reimbursement. 12 Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households will be charged the HDB market interest rate. They can convert their interest scheme from the HDB market interest rate to the concessionary interest rate if any of the SPR flat owner(s) obtains Singapore Citizenship (SC) within one year from the date of billing of the upgrading cost. The interest rate on the outstanding upgrading cost will be converted from the HDB market interest rate to the prevailing HDB concessionary interest rate from the first day of the month immediately following the date which the SPR flat owner obtains his or her SC. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 3
Types of Residence Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Mortgage Loans Eligibility for mortgage loans from HDB (at a concessionary interest rate pegged at 0.1% above CPF Ordinary Account interest rate) (Subject to eligibility conditions set by HDB) Not eligible 13 Eligibility for mortgage loans from financial institutions / banks For more information on private residential arrangements, visit the Singapore Land Authority website: http://www.sla.gov.sg. For more information on Central Provident Fund (CPF), visit the CPF website: http://www.cpf.gov.sg. For more information on public housing issues, visit the Housing Development Board website: http://www.hdb.gov.sg. 13 SPR flat owners who have refinanced their HDB loan with the bank (as well as those SPR flat owners who had taken bank loans upfront for the purchase of their flat), cannot refinance that bank loan with HDB after they have obtained Singapore Citizenship even if they are eligible for an HDB concessionary loan. Instead, they can enjoy the HDB concessionary loan when they next purchase an HDB flat, subject to their loan eligibility at the point of application. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 4
Benefits for Singapore Citizens & Singapore Permanent Residents Childcare Subsidies & Scheme Subsidies & Schemes Singapore Citizen Child Singapore Permanent Resident Child Child(ren) Development Co-Savings (Baby Bonus) Scheme Baby bonus 1 Not eligible Centre-Based Child Care Subsidy for Children 2 for Working Mothers 3 Full day centre-based child care S$300 S$0 Half-day centre-based child care S$150 S$0 Flexible hours centre-based child care Pro-rated based on hours of care S$0 Centre-Based Child Care Subsidy for Children for Non-Working Mothers Full day centre-based child care S$150 S$0 1 Certain conditions apply. For more information on baby bonus, visit http://www.babybonus.gov.sg 2 Singapore Citizen (SC) children are eligible for childcare subsidy if they are above 18 months to below 7 years old of age of any birth order. They must be enrolled in childcare centre licensed with the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports (MCYS). 3 Working mothers must have worked for at least 56 hours per month. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 1
Subsidies & Schemes Singapore Citizen Child Singapore Permanent Resident Child Half-day centre-based child care S$150 S$0 Flexible hours centre-based child care Pro-rated based on hours of care S$0 Centre-Based Infant Care Subsidy for Infants 4 for Working Mothers ^ Full day centre-based infant care S$600 S$0 Half-day centre-based infant care S$300 S$0 Flexible hours centre-based infant care Pro-rated based on hours of care S$0 Centre-Based Infant Care Subsidy for Infants for Non-Working Mothers Full day centre-based infant care S$150 S$0 Half-day centre-based infant care S$150 S$0 Flexible hours centre-based infant care Pro-rated based on hours of care S$0 4 Singapore Citizen (SC) infants are eligible for infant care subsidy if he or she is aged 2 to 18 months of any birth order. They must be enrolled in infant care centres licensed with MCYS. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 2
Subsidies & Schemes Singapore Citizen Child Singapore Permanent Resident Child Centre-Based Financial Assistance Scheme For Child Care (CFAC) 5 Subsidy Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) 6 Subsidy For more information on infant care, childcare and student care matters, visit http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg or the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports website: http://www.mcys.gov.sg. 5 Certain conditions apply. Children who are permanent residents of Singapore (PR) can apply if at least one member of their immediate family is a Singapore Citizen among other conditions. For more information on CFAC, visit http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg. 6 Certain conditions apply. Children who are permanent residents of Singapore (PR) can apply if at least one member of their immediate family is a Singapore Citizen. The child must be aged between 7 and 14 years of age and is attending a MOE-registered school among other conditions. For more information on SCFA, visit http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 3
Rights, Privileges & Obligations of Singapore Citizens & Permanent Residents Rights Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Elections Right to vote in parliamentary elections Not eligible Right to stand for election and become a Member of Parliament (MP) Not eligible Tax Matters Privileges & Obligations Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Tax incentives for parenthood specifically: Parenthood Tax Rebate Working Mother s Child Relief Grandparent Caregiver Relief Qualifying Child Relief Handicapped Child Relief Foreign Maid Levy Relief Not eligible For more information on tax matters, please visit the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) website: http://www.iras.gov.sg. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 1
Privileges & Obligations Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Tax deferral for contributions to Supplementary Retirement Scheme Tax relief for Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions For more information on tax matters, please visit the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) website: http://www.iras.gov.sg. For more information on tax matters, please visit the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore s (IRAS) website: http://www.iras.gov.sg. For matters relating to the Central Provident Fund (CPF), please visit the CPF website: http://www.cpf.gov.sg. All other personal reliefs except: Relief for Wife/Widow of National Service men (Wife must be Singapore Citizen) Relief for parent of National Service men (Parent must be Singapore Citizen) For more information on tax matters, please visit the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) website: http://www.iras.gov.sg. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 2
Privileges & Obligations Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Central Provident Fund (CPF) 1 Matters Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions Required Contribution to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) is required once the foreign employee obtains Permanent Resident status. Permanent Residents will contribute a smaller rate to their CPF accounts on a graduated rate for the first two years, and the same rates as those for Singapore Citizens from the third year onwards. For more information, please visit the Central Provident Fund (CPF) website: http://www.cpf.gov.sg. Special Transfers Central Provident Fund (CPF) top-up Medisave top-up New Singapore Shares (NSS) Economic Restructuring Shares (ERS) Progress Package Not eligible For more information on related matters, please visit the Central Provident Fund (CPF) website: http://www.cpf.gov.sg. Medisave contributions Required Required 1 The CPF is a social security savings plan for both citizens and permanent residents in Singapore where both employer and employee make monthly contributions to this fund. The coverage for this fund includes retirement, healthcare, home ownership and family protection needs. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 3
Privileges & Obligations Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident For more information, please visit the Central Provident Fund (CPF) website: http://www.cpf.gov.sg. Others National Service (NS) 2 Male Singapore Citizens must serve National Service Second generation male Permanent Residents must serve National Service whereas first generation male PRs are not required to serve National Service. Second generation Permanent Residents refer to those who become Singapore Permanent Residents under the sponsorship of another person, for example, their parents or spouse. First generation Permanent Residents refer to those who can contribute effectively to Singapore immediately upon the grant of Permanent Resident status, for example, those who became Permanent Residents under the Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled 2 All male Singapore Citizens and second generation male Permanent Residents must shoulder the responsibility of protecting and safeguarding the nation. They would need to enlist for National Service (NS) upon reaching 16½ years of age. They will serve 2 years of full-time NS at 18 years of age. Thereafter, they serve intermittent duty as citizen-soldiers for a cycle of 10 years. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 4
Privileges & Obligations Singapore Citizen Singapore Permanent Resident Financial grants on infant care / childcare Not eligible Workers (PTS) Scheme. Travelling on Singapore Passport Not eligible For more information on National Service, please visit the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) website: http://www.mindef.gov.sg. For more information on childcare and infant care matters, please visit the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) website: http://www.mcys.gov.sg. Information updated as at 1 May 2009 5