SINGAPORE — From October 2024, eligible civil servants will receive a S$500 annual benefit which they can use to support their health, growth and well-being.

Public officers will be able to use the benefit, called FlexiGrow, flexibly "based on their own needs, such as courses for personal development and fitness programmes", said the Public Service Division (PSD) on Wednesday (July 10).

This was announced by Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing in a speech during the opening of Public Service Week at ITE College Central on Wednesday.

In addition to the introduction of FlexiGrow, medical and dental benefits will also be enhanced for all civil servants from January 1, 2025, said Mr Chan, who is also Education Minister.

Civil servants are currently allowed to claim medical subsidies of up to S$500 a year, with subsidies for outpatient expenses at private clinics capped at S$20 per visit.

With the new benefits, the cap will be increased to S$50 per visit, said PSD.

"With this, officers eligible for HealthierSG can also better adhere to their personalised health plans with their registered HealthierSG clinic," PSD said.

Dental subsidies will also be increased to S$250 annually from the current S$120 to encourage civil servants to visit a dentist regularly and maintain dental health, PSD added.

The enhanced medical and dental benefits will also apply to re-employed officers and Statutory Board employees.

"To continue to do well for Singapore and Singaporeans, we must stay ahead of the changes in our environment and continue to stay ahead by innovating ... However, in an environment of constant change, we know it can be unsettling and even exhausting for our officers," said Mr Chan in his speech.

"We need to take care of ourselves; we need to take care of each other in this long journey ahead. And this is what our Public Service is committed to," he added. CNA