National Service (NS) is a rite of passage for every guy in Singapore, and it comes with loads of benefits, even after your Operationally Ready Date (ORD). Here’s a recap of all the important benefits you get as an NSman that can help you save on education, housing, healthcare and more.    

IPPT awards

Staying fit has its benefits! Physical Employment Standard (PES) fit personnel can get up to S$500 every year by clearing their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) within the allotted window. Tip: You can retake the test multiple times during your IPPT window to try and earn a higher incentive. For example, if you got a Silver on your first attempt but get Gold on your re-test, you will get an additional S$200 on top of the S$300 you initially received.

MINDEF & MHA Group Insurance Voluntary Scheme

One of the best perks overlooked by service personnel is the MINDEF & MHA Group Insurance Voluntary Scheme. Not only does it provide protection both in and out of camp, it’s also priced at one of the lowest rates in the market for Term Life and Personal Injury plans. Get S$1 million in coverage for just S$0.83 per day for Group Term Life and just S$0.17 per day for Group Personal Injury. You can even add on Living Care and Living Care Plus riders for added  protection against critical illnesses. Best of all, you can get the same coverage at the same rate for your wife and kids, so they’re protected too.

That’s not all. In recognition of your service to the nation, Singlife offers all MINDEF and MHA personnel exclusive discounts on protection plans. Get discounts on travel, home, motor and other health insurance products you see below by clicking here. These discounts are stackable with any ongoing promotions too so be sure to check back often to see if we’re running any limited-time campaigns (there are usually vouchers up for grabs!).

Milestone awards

Dubbed the NS HOME awards¹, these are incentives that NSmen can receive for their housing, healthcare and education needs upon clearing specific milestones in their Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) Journey.

Top-ups to the Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) can be used for further studies after NS, while amounts credited into the CPF Ordinary Account (OA) and MediSave Account (MA) can help with the purchase of a home and healthcare needs respectively. The most enticing benefit might be the LifeSG credits you’ll receive since they can be used like cash at a wide range of physical and online stores.

As a non-commander at the end of 10 ORNS years, you can expect to receive a total of S$15,000 in benefits: S$3,000 in PSEA, S$6,000 in your CPF OA, S$4,000 in your CPF MA and S$2,000 in LifeSG credits.

Celebratory gifts when you start a family

Speaking of milestones, NSmen will also receive S$100 in LifeSG credits when they solemnise their marriage and each time they welcome a new child into the family. This benefit also applies to NSmen who adopt a child.

Tax reliefs

If you’re looking for ways to lower your annual income tax, you’ll be pleased to know that as an NSman, tax relief is automatically granted to your tax account every year. Your parents and spouse also benefit, with a tax relief of S$750 for supporting you as you serve the nation.

Islandwide access to sporting and leisure facilities

Looking for ways to have fun on weekends, public holidays and school holidays on a bargain? Why not sign up for access to the SAFRA or HomeTeamNS 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.

Once an NSman, always an NSman

Defending our nation is a lifelong commitment. The benefits listed above help to motivate NSmen during their training by providing ample support to their lives beyond National Service. While many of these perks are ongoing, there are sometimes one-off payments in recognition of NSmen’s contributions, like the S$200 in cash credits announced during Budget 2024. So, if you’re an NSman, remember to maximise these benefits.

^Notes

^{Source: One NS, What is the NS Home Award, accessed 15 July 2024}

^{Group Term Life}

^{This policy has no savings or investment feature, there is no cash value if the policy ends or if the policy is terminated prematurely.}

^{Group Personal Injury}

^{This product has no savings or investment feature, there is no cash value if the policy ends or if the policy is terminated prematurely. The benefits of a personal accident policy will only be payable upon an accident occurring. Before replacing an existing personal accident policy with a new one, you should consider whether the switch is detrimental as there may be potential disadvantages with switching. A penalty may be imposed for early termination and the new policy may cost more or have fewer benefits at the same costs. If you decide that the policy is not suitable after purchasing the policy, you may terminate the policy in accordance with the free-look provision, if any, and Singlife may recover from you any expense incurred by us in underwriting the policy.}

^{Living Care / Living Care Plus / Disability Income / Outpatient Medicare}

^{This product has no savings or investment feature, there is no cash value if the policy ends or if the policy is terminated prematurely. Buying a health insurance policy that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs.}

^{This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.}