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NS Pay, Benefits And Perks For Those Who Serve

Denise Bay

Denise Bay

Last updated 29 May, 2023

NS rank pay (think: NS allowance) and the various NS benefits available are important to those who serve.

Literally like “Ah Boys To Men”, male Singaporeans and PRs go through a rite of passage as they enlist and serve the nation for two whole years. Upon conscription, these young men officially become Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs). 

In recognition of their dedication to Singapore, NSFs earn a monthly allowance and have access to rewards and perks exclusive to those who live and breathe the Singaporean Bro Code. 

Starting from 1 July 2023, there will be a revision in National Service Allowance. The National Service (NS) allowance for all national servicemen in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will be raised by S$125 to S$200, depending on the individual's rank and vocation.


SAF NSF Pay

An SAF NSF’s allowance comprises the monthly rank allowance and vocation allowance (previously known as combat allowance). The higher your rank is, the higher your allowance, because of the need to bear more responsibilities as you work your way up. 

Both rank and vocation allowance are automatically credited into your bank account. Be sure to provide MINDEF with the correct bank account details! 

SAF NSF monthly rank allowance

Rank Starting Rank Allowance
Recruit or Private S$680
Lance Corporal S$700
Corporal S$750
Corporal First Class  S$790
Specialist Cadet S$770
Third Sergeant S$1,000
Second Sergeant S$1,175
First Sergeant S$1,170
Officer Cadet S$960
Second Lieutenant S$1,200
Lieutenant S$1,3800

Note: The monthly rank allowance excludes vocational allowances.

SAF NSF monthly vocational allowance

Vocations Monthly Vocation Allowance 
Service and Technical vocations S$75
All combatants except those under S/N 3 and 4 S$225
Aircrew

Armour, Guards, Infantry

Combat Medics, Specialists or Officers in the Medical Response Force or deployed on the Singapore Civil Defence Force ambulances

Seagoing
S$300
Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defence or Explosive Ordinance Disposal

Commando

Naval Diver
S$500

Source

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SCDF NSF Pay

An SCDF NSF’s allowance is dependent only on the rank they hold. However, you may receive an operation allowance ranging between S$100 and S$300 depending on your vocation and unit. This operation allowance is in addition to your monthly rank-based allowance.

On top of that, meal allowances will be provided for when you’re on duty for six hours or more but meals aren’t provided. 

SCDF NSF monthly rank allowance

Rank Monthly Allowance
Recruit or Private S$680
Lance Corporal S$700
Corporal S$750
Specialist Cadet S$770
Sergeant 1 S$1,000
Sergeant 2 S$1,100
Officer Cadet S$960
Second Lieutenant S$1,200
Lieutenant S$1,380

Note: The monthly rank allowance excludes vocational allowances.

SCDF NSF monthly vocational allowance

Vocations Monthly Vocation Allowance 
- All Recruits
- All Trainees and NSFs in Ops and Service Support Vocations except those in S/N 2, 3 and 4
S$75
- Fire & Rescue Officer in Staff Department/Division HQ
- K9-Handler in Search Platoon
- Emergency Medical Technician performing instructor role in Civil Defence Academy
- Provost
- Infocomm Operator
S$225
- Fire & Rescue Officer, Fire & Rescue Specialist and Fire Fighter performing instructor role in Civil Defence Academy/National Civil Defence Cadet Corps
- Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician in Fire Station
S$300
- Fire & Rescue Officer, Fire & Rescue Specialist, Fire Fighter in Fire Station and the Special Response Unit S$500

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SPF NSF Pay

Similar to the pay structure for SAF NSFs, an SPF NSF’s allowance comprises the monthly rank allowance and vocation allowance. Those in higher ranks will be given a higher allowance in recognition of their skills and heavier responsibilities. 

After graduating from the Home Team Academy, an SPF NSF will also receive a monthly meal allowance to cover their meals during duty hours. The meal allowance stands at S$100 for non-shift work and S$142 for shift work. 

SPF NSF monthly rank allowance

Rank Monthly Allowance
Trainee Special Constable (TSC) or Special Constable (SC) S$680
Special Constable 2 (SC 2) S$700
Corporal S$750
Sergeant 1 S$1,000
Sergeant 2 S$1,100
Officer Cadet S$960
National Service Probationary Inspector S$1,200
National Service Inspector S$1,380

Note: The monthly rank allowance excludes vocational allowances.

SPF NSF monthly vocation allowance

Operation Vocations Monthly Vocation Allowance 
- Trainee Special Constables (TSC)
- Company Commander
- Training Development Officer
- Assistant Compliance Manager
- Assistant Manpower Officer
- Operations Officer
- Staff Officer to Head Ops
- Assistant Trainer
- Staff Assistant
- S&T Staff Assistant
- Bandsmen
S$75
- Officer Cadet Trainees
- Division Security Officer- Assistant Ops Officer
- Dog Handler
- Person-in-Custody Officer
- Ops Support Officer
- C3 Operation
- Community Engagement Officer
S$225
- Assistant Navigation Officer
- TransCom Deputy Team Leader
- ProCom DOC Trooper
- Checkpoint Security Officer
- Ground Response Force Officer
- Police Coast Guard Officer
- TransCom Officer- ProCom Officer
- Division Special Taskforce Officer
S$300
- Police Tactical Trooper (NSI)
- Police Tactical Trooper
S$500

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NSF medical benefits 

All NSFs are entitled to comprehensive medical benefits throughout their two years of service. 

Consultation Location Entitlement 
Your unit’s medical centre  Free 
Restructured hospitals (upon referral by SAF for follow-up treatment) Subsidised according to your medical benefits scheme 
Outpatient Care Location Entitlement
Restructured hospitals and polyclinics Full subsidy upon showing your SAF identity card
Private clinics and hospitals Maximum reimbursement of S$20 per visit, subject to a cap of S$350 per calendar year

Bear in mind you’ll have to pay the first consultation fee at restructured hospitals and polyclinics if you (i) don’t have a referral; (ii) were referred by a private doctor; or (iii) are referred to a consultant by name when you seek treatment

Prefer to seek outpatient treatment at Chinese Medical Halls run by physicians registered with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners’ Board? Keep in mind that these medical expenses incurred will not be reimbursed.

Hospitalisation benefits

Should there be a need for hospitalisation, NSFs are entitled to a 100% subsidy of the treatment charges (excluding non-subsidised items) and an 80% subsidy of the ward and meal charges at restructured hospitals for their eligible ward class.

Rank Ward Eligibility At National University Hospital Ward Eligibility At All Other Restructured Hospitals
Recruit to Lance Corporal Class C Class C
Corporal to First Sergeant 6-bed Class B2
Officer Cadet to Lieutenant 4-bed Class B1 and B2+

Servicemen who are married, their dependents (i.e. wife and children) are also covered for hospitalisation benefits in accordance with the same ward eligibility as the servicemen. 

The servicemen will have to produce the CS medical benefits card, which they can get from their unit’s S1. While their dependents will enjoy a 100% subsidy of the treatment charges (excluding non-subsidised items), take note that a 50% subsidy will apply for their ward and meal charges. 

Service injury compensation

In the case of service injury, MINDEF/SAF will offer fully subsidised medical treatment at restructured hospitals, up to your eligible ward. As a form of compensation, MINDEF/SAF will continue to cover the medical cost incurred for the treatment of your service injury even after your Operationally Ready Date (ORD).

Other things to note 

As the medical benefits offered by MINDEF/SAF are rather comprehensive, you’ll be pleased to know the above-mentioned are the only entitlements available to servicemen. Servicemen can opt to upgrade their wards and co-pay their treatment charges.  

Also, your hospitalisation charges will continue to be subsidised up until you are discharged from the public hospital should you be hospitalised for a non-service injury or illness at your ORD.

NSF dental benefits 

All NSFs are entitled to receive free dental treatment, including wisdom tooth surgery, at the SAF Dental Clinics. You will enjoy subsidies according to your dental benefits scheme should you be referred to a restructured hospital for follow-up treatment.

Under the SAF Dental Subsidy Scheme, NSFs are entitled to 85% reimbursement of dental treatment expenses incurred at private dental clinics, restructured hospitals or polyclinics, subject to a cap of S$120 each calendar year. 

Keep in mind that subsidies apply to all types of dental treatment procedures and materials, excluding precious metals such as gold. 


NSF Singlife insurance coverage

All NSFs are entitled to term insurance and personal accident insurance coverage provided by the MINDEF/SAF Group Insurance

As of 1 January 2023, Singlife is the official insurer for the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Group Insurance Scheme. It will provide life and personal accident insurance coverage for all MINDEF and MHA personnel. 

Key enhancements to the coverage include: 

  • S$300,000 (S$150,000 previously) in Group Term Life (GTL) cover
  • S$300,000 (S$150,000 previously) in Group Personal Injury (GPI) insurance cover  
  • For in-service personnel, the GPI cover is enhanced to more comprehensively cover conditions specific to MINDEF and MHA’s operating environment, such as noise-induced hearing damage or decompression sickness.
  • Under the voluntary scheme (available for all personnel to purchase on their own), there is also an increase in coverage for the GPI policy. Servicemen can now be covered for a maximum of S$1 million, up from the current maximum of S$600,000. They can also continue to purchase up to S$1 million in coverage under the GTL policy. 
  • Singlife is lowering rider premiums and enhancing coverage for all insured members. There are also extensive benefits for service personnel, including up to 57% discount and savings on a variety of motor, travel and home insurance policies, a dedicated customer service hotline, a dedicated claims team and additional value-added services from Singlife’s partner ecosystem.

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PAssion NSF Concession Card

NSFs can apply for the all-in-one PAssion NSF Concession Card prior to enlisting. Besides concessionary fares on public transport, NSFs who hold this card can look forward to enjoying an array of PAssion Card benefits and privileges, such as discounts at over 2,000 PAssion Merchant outlets, Member’s Rate for all CCs’ courses, activities and facilities and more. 

In case you were wondering, NSFs holding this card will get to enjoy a complimentary PAssion Membership extension upon completion of their full-time National Service.


SAFRA benefits

SAFRA membership is open to NSFs, SAF NSmen, SAF regulars and their dependents. You may take a look at the ongoing membership promotion here

Here’s a quick look at some of the key benefits accompanying your SAFRA membership:

  • Up to 50% off F&B, grocery, leisure and other voucher deals on treats.safra.sg
  • Up to 16% fuel discount at Caltex
  • Movie treats
  • Exclusive access to SAFRA and other Clubs’ facilities
  • Exclusive benefits at over 1,800 merchant outlets
  • Redeem SAFRAPOINTS for exciting rewards
  • Earn 3% cash rebate on local MasterCard contactless transactions, 3% on online shopping, 3% on bus and train rides, and 0.3% on all other retail transactions with the DBS SAFRA Credit Card 
  • Earn 2% cash rebate on local MasterCard contactless transactions, 1% on online shopping, 2% on bus and train rides, and 0.3% on all other retail transactions with the DBS SAFRA Debit Card 

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Savings accounts, debit and credit cards for NSFs

Just as it’s time you get upgraded to a full-fledged, responsible adult with the help of National Service, you might want to consider upgrading your savings account to one that offers higher interest rates, such as the POSB Save As You Earn (SAYE) Account or DBS Multiplier Account

Like it or not, your supposedly trusty savings account from primary school that offers a paltry 0.05% interest per annum doesn’t cut it. 

An NSF like yourself should seriously think about opening a POSB SAYE Account simply because you can enrol in the POSB Save As You Serve (SAYS) programme

Besides letting you save conveniently each month when you set up a recurring savings action to transfer your indicated savings amount (e.g. S$50 or S$100 per month) from your POSB/DBS account into the POSB SAYE Account, you also stand to earn a bonus 2% p.a. interest on your monthly savings so long as you leave your savings in there to grow. 

Additionally, you can enjoy up to 2% cash rebate with no minimum spend with the DBS SAFRA Debit Card or HomeTeamNS-Passion-POSB Debit Card. Both debit cards give you access to SAFRA or HomeTeamNS Clubhouses & facilities, a curated selection of offers, and discounted passes to fun places like Universal Studios, Adventure Cove Waterpark and more.

DBS SAFRA Debit Card

DBS SAFRA Debit Card lets you earn 2% cash rebate on local Mastercard contactless transactions; 1% cash rebate on online transactions; and 0.3% cash rebate on all other retail transactions when you consolidate your expenses and spend a minimum of S$400 in a calendar month. Your cash rebates will be awarded in the form of SAFRA$, where SAFRA$1 is equivalent to S$1.

You will need to have a POSB Savings Account, DBS Savings Plus Account, DBS Autosave Account, or DBS Current Account to apply for the DBS SAFRA Debit Card.

PAssion POSB Debit Card

Doubling as a PAssion card with free PAssion membership, PAssion POSB Debit Card is another fantastic option to consider — especially if you love cooking and frequently shop for groceries. New cardmembers can enjoy a promotional 8% cash rebates with yuu Rewards Club, with applicable terms and conditions. 

Enjoy 1% cashback at Takashimaya, and a host of 1-for-1 deals on attractions and entertainment. Earn accelerated earn rates at yuu merchants like BreadTalk, Cold Storage, Singtel and many more.

You will need to have a POSB Savings Account, DBS Savings Plus Account, DBS Autosave Account, or DBS Current Account to apply for the PAssion POSB Debit Card.

DBS Live Fresh Student Credit Card

 

If you would like to take this time to get to know credit cards better and are at least 21, the DBS Live Fresh Student Credit Card is one to consider. This card lets you enjoy 5% cashback at eligible merchants and on sustainable spending, and 0.3% cashback on all other spends. 

There’s no minimum spend required in order to start racking up cashback, and you can earn up to S$50 cashback per calendar month. 

Although the credit limit is S$500, it doesn’t have any minimum income requirement. Also, you’ll enjoy a five-year annual fee waiver. 

 

Read these next:
PAssion POSB Debit Card: The Decisive Review Guide (2021)
Debit Cards Versus Credit Cards in Singapore: Which Should You Use?
5 Things to Know When Graduating From Debit to Credit Cards
If I Get COVID-19, What Will I Need To Pay?
Best Savings Accounts in Singapore to Park Your Money

 

While Denise has a thing for travel, K-dramas, 0% sugar bbt (with boba!), Japanese cuisine and flat white, her curious nature means all sorts of random tabs are open on her phone 24/7. She doesn’t like to pay full price for anything, too.

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