New FlexiGrow initiative aims to enhance health, wellness, and professional growth for public officers.
Starting in October 2024, eligible civil servants in Singapore will receive an annual S$500 benefit under the new FlexiGrow initiative, designed to support their well-being, personal development, and long-term growth. This program, announced by the Public Service Division (PSD), is part of a broader effort to ensure civil servants maintain their health and professional fulfillment.
Additionally, from January 1, 2025, public officers will benefit from enhanced medical and dental subsidies. Medical subsidies at private clinics will increase from S$20 to up to S$50 per visit, while dental subsidies will rise from S$120 to up to S$250 per year. These improvements follow consultations with unions and apply to statutory board employees and re-employed officers as well.
Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing, introduced these initiatives during the opening of Public Service Week at ITE College Central. He emphasized the need for public officers to be well-supported, particularly in an ever-changing work environment. “We need to take care of ourselves and each other in this long journey,” he stated.
FlexiGrow allows officers to use their benefits according to their individual needs, whether for fitness programs, personal development courses, or wellness activities. The initiative aligns with Singapore’s broader focus on preventive healthcare and lifelong learning.
Singapore’s public service employs 152,000 officers across 16 ministries and over 50 statutory boards, with the civil service comprising approximately 86,000 of these officers. As part of ongoing workforce support measures, the government will also extend the retirement age to 64 and the re-employment age to 69 from July 1, 2025, one year ahead of the national schedule.
Public officers have welcomed these changes, recognizing the value of employer-supported health and development benefits. Aaron Ong, a workforce development manager at PSD, noted that the new package reflects the civil service’s commitment to its employees.
“It’s great to see our feedback being taken into account,” Ong said. “I’m looking forward to using FlexiGrow for wellness activities like yoga or to invest in books that support career growth.”
While statutory board employees are not eligible for FlexiGrow, they already receive separate allowances for learning and personal development. Muhammad Al-Fateh Mohamed Shafi, a correctional unit officer with the Singapore Prison Service, shared that he uses his existing S$700 allowance to fund his gym membership.
For many public officers, the enhanced medical and dental benefits will be particularly valuable. Haikal, a State Courts officer, highlighted the rising costs of healthcare and how these subsidies will provide meaningful support for those with dependents.
“These benefits may seem small, but they make a big difference in making the public service more attractive and sustainable for officers in the long run,” he said.
