Pioneers to get Medisave top-ups next month

The Pioneer Generation will be getting their letters from the Government this week, informing them of the benefits they will receive from the Pioneer Generation Package, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement on Sunday.

The letters will include information on Medisave top-ups, which the Pioneer Generation will receive next month.

The ministry also said that an Appeals Panel has been set up to "look into appeals from those who marginally miss out on the criteria for the Pioneer Generation".

sinsh@sph.com.sg

Ministry of Finance's statement:

Pioneers to get Medisave Top-Ups from July

1. Members of the Pioneer Generation will receive letters from the Government starting this week, informing them of the lifetime benefits that they will receive from the Pioneer Generation Package. This includes information on their Medisave top-ups, which they will receive in July. This is the first benefit under the Pioneer Generation Package to be implemented.

2. The letters will also inform Pioneers of their eligibility for the Pioneer Generation Package which comprises the following lifetime benefits:
a. Medisave top-ups of $200 - $800 annually
b. Special subsidies for outpatient care:
   i. Additional 50 per cent off subsidised treatments at polyclinics and Specialist Outpatient Clinics;
   ii. Special subsidies at General Practitioner (GP) clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS); and
   iii. Cash of $1,200 a year for those with moderate to severe functional disabilities under the Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme.
c. MediShield Life premium subsidies of 40 per cent - 60 per cent

3. This year, about $210 million in Medisave top-ups will be disbursed to our Pioneers.

4. Pioneers will receive their Pioneer Generation cards by September. From 1 September 2014, they can use their cards to enjoy the special outpatient subsidies at CHAS clinics, polyclinics and Specialist Outpatient Clinics.

5. The MediShield Life premium subsidies will begin when MediShield Life is introduced in end-2015. Please see Annex A for the timeline of the Pioneer Generation benefits. Appeals Panel

6. An Appeals Panel has been formed to look into appeals from those who marginally miss out on the criteria for the Pioneer Generation. The Appeals Panel will be chaired by Mr Timothy James De Souza, with Mr James Koh Cher Siang as Deputy Chairman.

7. The Appeals Panel will focus its efforts on those who marginally miss out on the citizenship attainment criterion (i.e. to have obtained citizenship by 31 December 1986) but who have lived in Singapore since the early years and demonstrated clear efforts to sink roots here. With regard to the age criterion, the Government has already adopted an inclusive approach by setting the age threshold at those who were 16 years old and above in 1965, younger than adulthood.

8. Mr De Souza, Chairman of the Panel, said, "The Panel pledges to be fair and consistent in our assessment of appeals. As our members come from different backgrounds, and have a diversity of experiences, we will be able to consider different perspectives for each appeal."

9. To find out more details about the Pioneer Generation Package and appeals panel, Pioneers and their family members can visit www.pioneers.sg, email contactus@pioneers.gov.sg, or call the Pioneer Generation hotline at 1800-2222-888. About the Pioneer Generation Package

10. The Pioneer Generation Package was introduced to honour and thank our pioneers for their hard work and dedication. They have made Singapore what it is today. To be eligible for the Pioneer Generation Package, living Singapore citizens need to meet 2 criteria:
a. Aged 16 years and above in 1965 (born on or before 31 December 1949, i.e. aged 65 years and above in 2014), and
b. Received their citizenship by 31 December 1986.