Singapore as a country with declining fertility rates and increasing life expectancies, is a nation with a large ageing population. With the end of their money-making years slowly coming to a halt as retirement sets in, senior citizens are left to deal with the rising costs. To support them financially while showing a small token of appreciation for the contributions made, the Singapore government and businesses have introduced senior citizen exclusive discounts and benefits.
An example would be the Merdeka and Pioneer Generation government healthcare packages offered. The Merdeka Generation Package offers Singaporean citizens who are between the ages of 64 to 74 (born in 1949-1959), healthcare benefits such as Medisave top ups, CareShield Life incentives and PAssion Silver Card – which is a transport concessionary card – top ups.
The Pioneer Generation Package differs slightly as it caters towards the older senior citizens ages 74 years and above (born before or in 1949). The benefits available are similar to that of the Merdeka Generation Package except that there is no PAssion Silver Card top-ups offered. Instead, there is a Pioneer Generation Disability Scheme which provides assistance for disabled senior citizens.
Besides these government packages, companies are also catering to the growing ageing as young as 55 years with exclusive discounts and benefits just about anywhere around Singapore.
From grocery retailers to movie theatres, here are some benefits and discounts senior citizens can look forward to stretch their dollars during their retirement years.
Note: For the purpose of this article, the term ‘senior citizen’ refers to elderly Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents aged 60 years and above unless otherwise stated.
Read Also: Why It Could Make Financial Sense For Seniors To Buy A BTO Flat During Their Retirement Years
#1 Pharmacy Retailers
As the saying goes, health before wealth. No amount of wealth can give you a second chance at life. With that, healthcare is the upmost priority for most senior citizens. You no longer have to feel the pinch of over spending on medicated oils, joint rubs and more with the discounts offered at pharmacy retailers.
Watsons
Watson’s Jubilee Card is a senior exclusive membership promotion which offers discounts on health and non-health products. A special discount is also provided during member’s birthday months.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Jubilee Card Membership | 10% birthday month discount off regular items 10% off regular- priced health items 5% off regular- priced non-health items |
50 years and above |
Senior members will simply have to present their physical or e-card and IC during in-store purchases. For online purchases, all senior members have to do is log in to their account to enjoy the discounts. The Jubilee card offer will take place five days after the membership card has been activated.
Unity
In conjunction with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Fairprice, Unity offers all senior citizens, Pioneer and Merdeka Generation card holders exclusive discounts on selected weekdays at a maximum purchase amount of $200.
Union and Link members are eligible to also earn Linkpoints with this discount. Do take note that cardholders have to be present for the discounts to be applied.
| Scheme Type | Details | Eligibility Criteria |
| Pioneer Discount Scheme | 3% discount on Monday and Wednesdays | Must be a Pioneer Generation cardholder |
| Merdeka Discount Scheme | 3% discount on Wednesdays | Must be a Merdeka Generation cardholder |
| Seniors Discount Scheme (NRIC must be presented) |
2% discount on Tuesdays | Senior citizens and Permanent Residents 60 years and above |
Guardian
Guardian’s Golden Senior rewards card offers seniors aged 50 years and above to regular and birthday month discounts. There are also products such as adult milk formula and wheelchairs that are further discounted for cardholders.
To apply for the card, a minimum spend of $20 is required after which an application form will need to be filled out before the card can activate four working days after the date of application.
This promotion excludes items such as infant formula, service items, items from airport stores and online purchases.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Golden Senior Card | 10% birthday month discount 5% discount |
50 years and above |
#2 Transportation
Take it slow and enjoy long peaceful bus rides with scenic views without the worry of your rising bus fares. With senior citizen exclusive concessionary fares, you also get to stroll while admiring the cars at crossing traffic junctions.
TransitLink
TransitLink’s Passion Silver Concession (PASC) Card and Hybrid Concession Pass (HCP) offers senior citizen exclusive concession fares with additional benefits. Eligible to only senior citizens 60 years and above, a PASC card application pack will be sent to senior citizens a month before their 60th birthdays. Card holders can then visit any SimplyGo ticketing offices to activate their cards. In addition to transportation benefits, the PAssion Silver Concession card programme, launched by the Ministry of Health, Transport and People’s association, allows senior citizens to access discounts and benefits from relevant retailers and merchants.
Senior citizens and senior Permanent Residents with an existing Senior Citizen Concession Card can purchase the HCP for $58 which allows for one month of unlimited travel onboard basic buses and trains. The passes can be purchased online via the SimplyGo portal and app or at any SimplyGo Ticketing Office, Kiosk or Service Centre.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Passion Silver Concession (PASC) Card | 25% or more discount off adult concessionary fares and longer crossing times at respective pedestrian crossings | Singapore citizens 60 years and above or turning 60 in a month’s time. |
| Hybrid Concession Pass (HCP) | Unlimited travel on trains and basic bus services | Singapore citizens above 60 years old |
#3 Food Court
With the blazing weather nowadays, relaxing at the open aired coffee shops just won’t do. Think of Koufu as an airconditioned coffee shop and head down with your newspapers and for a peaceful tea break with a side of Kaya Butter Bun.
Koufu
Koufu welcomes all PAssion Silver Card holders to get their hands on a Kaya Butter Bun with Hot Kopi or Teh with a discount of up to one dollar. This discount is valid every Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5pm except during public holidays. The discount can also be claimed in Koufu’s other brand outlets located outside of hospitals and schools: Fork & Spoon, Gourmet Paradise and Cookhouse.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| PAssion Silver Card Promotion | Kaya Butter Bun with Hot Kopi or Teh at $2.20 (U.P $2.80 – $3.20) |
Must be a PAssion Silver Card holder |
#4 Grocery Retailers
Sick and tired of the younger generation always snatching up the best deals and offers online? Seniors, you don’t have stress about it with these exclusive senior citizen promotions available every week at popular supermarkets. Prepare your shopping trolleys and get ready to shop every Monday through Thursday with these discounted deals.
NTUC FairPrice
NTUC FairPrice offers senior citizens, senior Permanent Residents, Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation card holders with special in-store discounts off groceries from Monday to Thursday with a maximum purchase of $200.
Senior citizens who are also FairPrice members are eligible to earn Linkpoints in addition to their benefits and discounts. Do take note that cardholders have to be present for the discounts to be applied.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Pioneer Discount Scheme | 3% discount on Monday and Wednesdays | Must be a Pioneer Generation cardholder |
| Merdeka Discount Scheme | 3% discount on Wednesdays | Must be a Merdeka Generation cardholder |
| Seniors Discount Scheme (NRIC must be presented) |
2% discount on Tuesdays | Senior citizens and Permanent Residents 60 years and above |
Sheng Siong
Sheng Siong offers a special in-store discount off groceries to senior citizens, Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation cardholders every Tuesday and Wednesday. This discount is capped at a maximum spending of $200 per receipt.
There are limitations, as items such as infant formula milk powder, tobacco, alcohol and Sheng Siong vouchers are not valid for the discount.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Pioneer Generation cardholder | 4% discount on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
|
Must be a Pioneer Generation cardholder |
| Merdeka Generation cardholder | Must be a Merdeka Generation cardholder | |
| All Senior citizens and senior Permanent residents (NRIC must be presented) |
Senior citizens and Permanent Residents 60 years and above |
Cold Storage
Cold Storage’s senior citizen promotion offers all senior Permanent Residents and senior citizens with an in-store discount on Wednesdays. Users of the yuu app can also earn points and redeem rewards through this promotion.
The yuu app entitles PAssion card members to additional benefits and deals from over 1,000 retail stores islandwide under the Dairy Farm International (DFI) Retail Group. This includes supermarket chains such as Cold Storage, Giant, CS Fresh, convenient stores and pharmacy outlets. Users who link their PAssion cards to the yuu app get to earn points with every $1 spent.
Some excluded items include tobacco, cigarettes, infant milk powder, phone cards, DFI Retail Group Vouchers, lottery and purchases from concessionaires. Additionally, the discount will not be applicable on top of UOB Delight Cardmembers’ discount off house brands, corporate brands and Cold Storage Online.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Senior citizen promotion (NRIC must be presented) |
3% discount on Wednesdays
|
Senior citizens and Permanent Residents 60 years and above |
Giant
Giant’s senior citizens special promotion offers all senior citizens with in-store discounts every Tuesday. Users of the yuu app can also earn and redeem points with this discount. Excluded items from the discount include, tobacco, cigarettes, newspapers, magazines, infant milk powder, phone cards, Dairy Farm vouchers, lottery, purchases from concessionaires and online purchases.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Senior citizen special (NRIC must be presented) |
4% discount on Tuesdays | Senior citizens and Permanent Residents 60 years and above |
Prime Supermarket
Prime Supermarket’s Senior Citizen’s Discount Day offers all senior citizens and senior permanent residents with a special in-store discount off groceries on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is no minimum spending amount required.
Items such as tobacco, alcohol, Stage 1 and 2 milk powder, Big Sweep, Prime gift vouchers, magazines and newspapers are not applicable to the discount. Additionally, Prime members are not entitled to earn FRESH points with purchases made with the discount. One FRESH point is earned with every dollar spent at a minimum spend of $10 per receipt. The more points accumulated, there are entitled redemptions offered.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Senior Citizen’s Discount Day (NRIC must be presented) |
4% discount on Tuesdays and Thursdays
|
Senior citizens and Permanent Residents 60 years and above |
#5 Cinemas
A movie is always a good and fun way to pass time. What makes it more enjoyable are the discounted senior rates going as low as $4.00. So, grab your sweet and salted popcorn and catch a movie at your nearest theatre without having to worry about peak hour prices or crowded places.
Golden Village
Golden Village’s (GV) Senior Citizens Concession Rates offers 2D and 3D movie tickets at discounted prices for sessions before 6pm on Mondays to Fridays.
Movie-goers will have to present their identification cards physically at respective counters or kiosks to redeem their Senior Citizen Concession tickets. The discount is not valid for online or group bookings, any Hindi or Tamil films and special movie events.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Senior Citizens Concession Rates (NRIC must be presented) |
Standard ticket (2D): From $5 Standard ticket (3D): From $12 |
Senior citizens 60 years and above |
Cathay Cineplexes
Cathay Cineplexes offers three types of senior discounts.
First, Merdeka and Pioneer Generation cardholders get to top up a dollar to enjoy a hot cup of coffee along with a discounted ticket price all day on Tuesdays and for Monday to Friday before 6pm. Second, for non-generation card holders, there is a general senior citizen ticket discount. Lastly, PAssion Silver Card holders can enjoy an exclusive movie package which includes a movie ticket and a food and beverage voucher. Prices for the package vary across weekday and weekends.
This particular promotion will not be valid until after two weeks of the release of a selected blockbuster titles and is limited to five redemptions per card. The discount is valid for standard 2D tickets and not for any Hindi or Tamil movies and special movie events.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Merdeka and Pioneer Generation Privileges | Standard ticket (2D): $4 + $1 for a cup of hot coffee all day on Tuesdays (including eve of and public holidays) |
Must be a Merdeka or Pioneer Generation cardholder |
| Senior Privileges (NRIC must be presented) |
Standard ticket (2D): $5 + $1 for a cup of hot coffee from Monday to Friday before 6pm | Senior citizens 55 years and above |
| PAssion Silver Card Exclusive Movie Package | Standard ticket (2D): $14 + $5 F&B voucher from Monday to Thursday Standard ticket (2D): $17 + $5 F&B voucher from Friday to Sunday (including eve of and public holidays) |
Must be PAssion Silver cardholder |
FilmGarde
FilmGarde offers a discounted ticket price for senior citizens. The discount is not valid for official sneak peaks, 3D movies, premium halls, vouchers and passes. Do take note that this only applies for same-day ticket purchases.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Senior Citizen Movie Tickets (NRIC must be presented) |
Standard ticket (2D): $5 from Monday to Friday before 6pm
|
Senior citizens 55 years and above |
WE Cinemas
WE Cinemas offers senior citizens with discounted standard and premium movie tickets.
Seniors can also choose to add-on food and drink combos. Besides popcorn, Hawaiian pizzas and Spaghetti Bolognese are available options as well. All tickets are not valid for online bookings, eves of and public holidays and for 3D movies or special film events.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Senior Citizen Promotion (NRIC must be presented) |
Standard ticket (2D): $4.50 from Monday to Friday before 6pm 2D Atmos ticket: $6.50 from Monday to Friday before 6pm First Class ticket: $32 |
Senior citizens 55 years and above |
| Senior Citizen Food and Beverage Combo from Monday to Friday before 6pm (NRIC must be presented) |
Hot tea or coffee: $2 Small Popcorn Combo: $4 + $0.50 for hot tea or coffee Nuggets Combo: $4 + $0.50 for hot tea or coffee Hawaiian Pizza: $8 Spaghetti Bolognese: $8 |
The Projector
The Projector offers a discounted price for their Senior Club Membership.
The 12-month membership includes a further discount on top of senior concession fares, free ticket redemption and discounts off food and beverage bills. Senior Club members have to present their e-ticket reflecting their membership to be able to enjoy the benefits and discounts. Membership discounts and ticket redemptions are not valid for special film events.
| Details | Eligibility Criteria | |
| Senior Concession Fares (NRIC must be presented) |
Standard weekday ticket: $8.50 from Monday to Thursday Standard weekend ticket: $13 |
Senior citizens 55 years and above |
| Senior Club Membership | 12 months membership: $55 Benefits: Standard weekday ticket: $6.50 Standard weekend ticket: $11 4 free ticket redemption 10% off total F&B bill |
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