Are you a past or present national serviceman or have you signed on with SAF or the Home Team? Have you spent your entire career as a public servant or are you contemplating a switch to the government sector? If you answered yes, lucky you! This is one job that comes with unique perks.

 

 

Much to gain from employee benefits

 

A good salary and position are important in a job, but they’re not everything. As an NSman or government employee, you get to make a difference in improving living standards and conditions for citizens. Many public servants we know tell us that there’s something profoundly meaningful in serving millions of people daily.

 

That’s not all, however. The job also brings perks that can add significant value to your life – we’re talking about support for your health, family, and financial future. While it may not be immediately apparent, certain government job perks can benefit you financially, too. For example:

 

• Fitness perks: Keep you physically and mentally healthy which means fewer bouts of sickness and lower medical bills
• Self-improvement courses: Increase your career prospects and potential earnings
• Exclusive partner discounts: Translate into cash savings on items you need 

 

The trouble is that non-monetary employee benefits are often unused or forgotten until it’s too late. How many times have you kicked yourself for not using an eye-popping staff discount before it expired?

 

 

Government job perks you shouldn’t miss

 

If you think that letting your NSman or government job perks go unused isn’t a big deal, we’ve got news: you’re actually missing out on a lot. Non-monetary job perks can support your physical and emotional wellbeing, your personal development, as well as your family. They can also go a long way to help you financially.

 

We’ve rounded up some great ways to put your exclusive government employee perks to good use, including suggested dates for using them so you can set calendar reminders for yourself – say goodbye to regrets.

 

 

#1 Chill out at attractive prices

 

When to use: School holidays, public holidays, celebrations

 

We’re always looking for ways to have fun on weekends, public holidays and school holidays – at a bargain. If you’re an NSman who is currently serving or has served in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) or any of the Home Team Agencies under MHA, you and your dependants can enjoy the club lifestyle at SAFRA or HomeTeamNS (depending on which force you’re with) clubhouses.

 

Whether you’re into sporting activities like tennis, kayaking, abseiling or airsoft shooting, you have a taste for wining and dining, or you’re looking for family excitement over karaoke or vertical maze challenges, you’ll find it all here. You can even check into one of the villas which are perfect for staycations and sunset barbecues by the pool. All you’ll need is a club membership to enjoy the services at members’ prices. With fees as low as S$27 per year for a 10-year SAFRA membership and S$15 per year for a 10-year HomeTeamNS membership, it’s your essential passport to leisure time thrills. Depending on the plan you choose, there may also be welcome gifts like gift vouchers. So, what are you waiting for?

 

 

#2 Add a new qualification to your CV (at least, get started on it)

 

When to use: Beginning of the year

 

“Upskilling” is a buzzword in today’s working world and as an NSman or public servant, you have all the help you need to tick it off your annual resolutions list.

 

As a public servant, you’re encouraged to develop yourself professionally, and there are numerous and easily accessible options for this. For instance, public officers have a set number of training hours every year, which you could use to enrol in that course you’ve always dreamed of doing. You may also enjoy things like unrecorded leave or sponsorship of course fees.

 

If you’re with MINDEF, you can take up courses at various institutes of higher learning with sponsored tuition fees. There’s also the SAF polytechnic scholarship which covers all tuition and compulsory fees. You’ll also receive a monthly allowance while you study as well as a cash bonus if you pass all your semester courses on your first try. It’s your chance to potentially save tens of thousands of dollars on education.

 

Whether you opt for further training or a degree programme, the personal satisfaction you’ll get from adding a new feather to your cap will be immense. Plus, the new skills and deeper expertise will add value to the work you do and help you serve the country to higher standards.

#3 Added protection for your loved ones

 

When to use: End of the year

 

For many people, year-ends are about taking stock of life and gifting. For others, there’s no time like the present to do what feels right. This year, why not give yourself and your loved ones something meaningful which will be treasured for a long time to come?

 

Insurance gives you and your loved ones the assurance that should anything unexpected happen during your coverage period, such as death, severe illness, or disability, no one will have to worry about money – neither the affected individual nor the other family members.

 

If you’re a MINDEF or MHA personnel or a public officer, you can purchase MINDEF & MHA Group Insurance at affordable prices under the Voluntary Scheme – this is on top of the complimentary insurance coverage you receive from the government.

 

Get S$1,000,000 in term life coverage at just S$0.83^* per day and S$1,000,000 personal injury coverage at S$0.17^{^} per day.

 

Your spouse and dependants can also get coverage at the same rates. It’s affordable peace of mind while you’re out there doing your duty for the nation. Check out our full guide to the Voluntary Scheme here.

 

Now that you’ve got a refresher on some of the perks of being a public servant, it’s time to use them to enhance your wellbeing – and maybe even make some financial gains.

^Notes

^{*Premium shown is based on monthly rate (rounding­ to the nearest cent) for an Insured Person, aged 65 and below at next birthday.}

^{^Premium shown is based on monthly rate (rounding­ to the nearest cent) for an Insured Person, aged 70 and below at next birthday.}