To recognise the contribution of pioneer generation towards the making of Singapore, about SGD180 million in Medisave top-ups will be disbursed to eligible seniors this year as part of the Pioneer Generation Package (PGP), announced the Singapore Ministry of Finance (MOF) today.
Through a press release, MOF said, “In the coming week, Pioneers will receive letters informing them of their Pioneer Generation Medisave top-ups for 2017. This forms part of the Pioneer Generation Package to thank and honour our Pioneers for their hard work and dedication to make Singapore what it is today.”
Those eligible will receive between SGD200 and SGD800, depending on the year of their birth.
“The Pioneer Generation Medisave top-ups are in addition to the Medisave top-ups for Singaporeans aged 65 and above in 2017 under the GST Voucher Scheme. Both are permanent schemes disbursed yearly in July and August, respectively,” MOF said.
Giving an example, MOF said, “A pioneer who is 85 this year, lives in an HDB flat and does not own a second property will receive a total of SGD1,250 in Medisave top-ups this year – SGD800 from the Pioneer Generation Medisave top-up and SGD450 from the GST Voucher scheme.
The money disbursed to the seniors can be utilised for paying their Medishield Life premiums and other Medisave-approved insurance plans, hospitalisation, day surgery and certain approved outpatient treatment, including renal dialysis, chemotherapy, certain chronic diseases, scans, vaccinations, screening mammograms and colonoscopies.
To be eligible for the Pioneer Generation Package, a Singaporean has to have been aged 16 years and above in 1965, and must have obtained their Singapore citizenship on or before Dec 31, 1986.
Besides the annual Pioneer Generation Medisave top-ups, those eligible will also receive special subsidies for outpatient care, and Pioneer Generation premium subsidies of 40 per cent to 60 per cent for MediShield Life premiums, MOF said.