Number of Government Pensioners and Amount Paid Out

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Prime Minister (a) how many pensioners are currently covered under the Pensions Act; (b) in the last 10 years, how much was spent annually on Government pensioners; and (c) whether the Government will consider raising the gross pension ceiling of $1,190 for pensioners with low pensions.

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There are approximately 33,000 pensioners drawing a pension from the Government as at 30 June 2012.

The following table shows the amount paid out to Government pensioners for the 10 years, extracted from the Government Financial Statement from FY2002 to FY2011, rounded up to the nearest million:

Since 1974, there have been nine revisions to the gross pension ceiling with the latest revision made on 1 April 2011. In the latest revision, the gross monthly pension ceiling, was revised to $1,190.

The Government will continue to carry out regular reviews of the gross pension ceiling and revise it when necessary.

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