One recession-proof job that is always open to able-bodied Singaporeans is a career with the Singapore Army – one of the nation’s largest organisations.
Here’s how much in salary, sign-on bonuses, and other monetary incentives you can earn if you choose to sign on with the Singapore Army – either as a commissioned Officer, a Specialist (and eventual Warrant Officer) or a Military Expert.
Read Also: Complete NSF Allowance Guide: How Much Can You Earn As A Full-Time National Serviceman?
How Much Does A Singapore Army Officer Earn?
| Academic Qualification | Rank | Monthly Gross Starting |
| A-Level – Diploma | Officer Cadet Trainee | $2,620 – $3,360 |
| 2nd Lieutenant | $2,820 – $3,590 | |
| Lieutenant | $2,980 – $3,660 | |
| Degree – Military Officers | Officer Cadet Trainee | $4,640 – $5,840 |
| Lieutenant | $4,970 – $6,160 | |
| Captain | $5,400 – $6,940 | |
| Degree – Medical/Dental Officers | Officer Cadet Trainee | $5,880 – $7,160 |
| Lieutenant | $6,650 – $7,160 | |
| Captain | $5,880 – $7,160 |
Source: MINDEF
Those who sign on as an Army regular under the Specialist/Warrant Officer track can receive a one-time bonus of $20,000 (not applicable for those on educational sponsorship).
Depending on academic qualifications and vocation, officer cadet trainees will generally begin earning a monthly salary of between $2,620 to $5,840. Once they are commissioned as officers, they would be earning between $2,820 to $6,160 for the next few years of their careers up till the rank of Captain.
According to MINDEF, officers with “strong military and academic standings” will be accorded additional top-ups to the standard salaries. Commissioned officers may also be eligible for individual performance bonuses.
The Savings and Employee Retirement (SAVER) Plan was introduced in 1998 for SAF Officers, replacing the former pension, contract and Central Provident Fund (CPF) Plus schemes. SAVER is a scheme that provides regulars with financial security upon retirement from service.
Under the existing SAVER Plan, MINDEF contributes a certain percentage of an Officer’s salary into three accounts:
Savings Account: Officers receive contributions into their Savings Account in the first 10 years of service. From their 7th year in service onwards, Officers can withdraw an increasing percentage of their Savings Account monies.
CPF Top-Up Account: Officers are on a reduced CPF contribution arrangement. MINDEF tops up the difference between the full and reduced employer CPF contribution into the Officers’ CPF Top-Up Account to ensure they are on par with Singapore employees who receive full employer CPF contributions. The monies in the Officer’s CPF Top-Up Account will be transferred to their CPF Account when they leave the SAF.
Retirement Account: Officers receive contributions into their Retirement Account from the 7th year in service onwards until age 42 or 44, depending on their rank and vocation. This is to help them build up a financial reserve for their transition to a second career thereafter.
Furthermore, upon completion of the 6th year of service, officers will receive a SAVER bonus of 6-months of their gross monthly salary. There is also a 5-month SAVER Bonus at the end of your 10th SAVER year.
There will be changes to the SAVER plan from 1 July 2025 onwards, to ensure it remains market competitive and relevant in supporting military Officers’ life-cycle and career transition needs.
They will get more regular SAVER Bonus Payments. Officers between the ages of 25 and 34 will receive a SAVER Bonus payment in cash for every three years of service. This will better support their needs, such as marriage and housing, at this life stage. The new SAVER Bonuses will replace the existing Savings Account and existing SAVER Bonus payment.
They will also receive Full CPF Contributions in accordance to the prevailing CPF contribution rates. This will enable them to accumulate more CPF funds earlier in their careers, to better support their housing and healthcare needs. The existing CPF Top-Up Account will be phased out.
Officers will also receive increased Retirement Contributions, into the Retirement Account from the 1st year of service, (instead of starting from the 7th year of service), and at an increased rate. The increased contribution duration and rates will help Officers build up a larger reserve for their career transition upon retirement from the SAF. Perhaps logically, this existing Retirement Account (which shares the same name as the CPF Retirement Account) will also be renamed as the SAVER Account.
As members of the public service, Army officers are also enrolled into the MediSave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) medical benefits scheme, under which they will receive an additional 2% of their gross monthly salary into their CPF MediSave account. They will also be subsidised for 85% of their outpatient treatment at approved medical institutions, while dependents will be subsidised for 60% of their outpatient treatment, capped at $500 per year.
Officers are also eligible for the Army’s Flexible Benefits Scheme (FLEX) of between $600 and $1,000 per year based on their reckonable length of service, which they can use to pay for their insurance, vacations, and education needs.
Read Also: Complete Guide To Financial Planning For National Servicemen (NSFs)
How Much Does A Singapore Army Specialist/Warrant Officer Earn?
| Academic Qualification | Rank | Monthly Gross Starting |
| N-Level – Diploma | Recruit | $1,860 – $2,950 |
| Lance Corporal | $1,900 – $2,970 | |
| Corporal | $1,940 – $3,010 | |
| Specialist Cadet | $1,960 – $3,060 | |
| 3rd Sergeant | $2,090 – $3,260 | |
| 2nd Sergeant | $2,150 – $3,330 |
Source: MINDEF
Those who sign on as an Army regular under the Specialist/Warrant Officer track can receive a one-time bonus of $35,000 (not applicable for those on educational sponsorship).
As trainees undergo training to become Army Specialists (and eventual Warrant Officers), they could earn between $1,860 and $3,260 (as Specialist Cadets and 3rd Sergeants). Eventually, as they are promoted to the rank of 2nd Sergeant, they can earn between $2,150 and $3,330.
Unlike their commissioned officer counterparts, Specialists/Warrant Officers who have attained the rank of 3WO will have a monthly contribution equivalent to 10% of the monthly salary into a Career and Retirement Endowment Account (CARE). Specialists/Warrant Officers will also receive a premium bonus (PrB), based on their last drawn salary, upon completing their 3rd, 6th and 12th year of service.
- 3 Years – up to 10 months PrB
- 6 Years – up to 6 months PrB
- 12 Years – up to 22 months PrB
Like their commissioned officer counterparts, regular Specialists/Warrant Officers are also enrolled into the MediSave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) medical benefits scheme as well as receiving benefits under the Army’s Flexible Benefits Scheme (FLEX).
Read Also: Why Singapore’s Largest Employer (The Public Service) Does Not Encourage Moonlighting?
How Much Does A Singapore Army Military Expert Earn?
Another career track that uniformed Army personnel can join is that of the Military Expert (ME), who provides valuable subject matter expertise to troops in the field, in areas such as in Engineering, Medical and Music.
|
Army Engineer / Army Engineer (Ammo) |
 |
|
Military Medical Expert |
 |
|
Military Musician |
 |
Source: MINDEF
A one-time signing bonus of $26,000 to $36,000 is given (not applicable to sponsorship recipients and ME4 and above).
As you can see, N Level and Diploma holders enrolled as Military Musicians start to earn between $2,090 to $3,260, while those in the Engineer or Medical track earn between $1,900 to $3,260, depending on qualifications.
MEs who perform well can receive performance bonuses, annual merit increments, as well as promotion increments upon advancing in rank or grade.
To encourage MEs to stay with the Army, attractive MDES Experts Continuous Engagement and Learning (EXCEL) bonuses are given out at ages 28 (up to 4-months bonus), 32 (up to 8-months bonus), 40 (up to 8-months bonus), and 50 (up to 8-months bonus). For the first bonus at ages 28 and 32, specific criteria (such as service length) must be met, or the bonus might be pro-rated.
MEs are not enrolled in SAVER, and instead, receive full CPF contributions like private sector employees. But MEs are public officers, so they too will be enrolled in the MediSave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) medical benefits scheme and also receive benefits under the Army’s Flexible Benefits Scheme (FLEX).
Read Also: 22 Useful Items You Can Buy From The SAF eMart – That You Can Use In Your Civilian Life
An Exciting And Rewarding Career In A Premier Organisation
Amidst a challenging job market, a career in the Army provides one with financial stability, a clear career progression, and the opportunity to serve and lead in one of the nation’s premier organisations – one that has produced leaders of the highest calibre who have gone on to take on top positions in the private, public and political spheres.
You can also consider shorter 2- and 3-year Contract Service stints, as Officers or Warrant Officers, while keeping your longer term career options open.
If you ever considered a career in the Army, perhaps now is as good a time as any to seriously explore that possibility.
Read Also: Complete Guide To SAFRA Memberships: How Much They Cost And What Benefits You Enjoy
This article was originally posted on 8 October 2020 and has been updated to provide the latest information.
Listen to our podcast, where we have in-depth discussions on finance topics that matter to you.
