Nurses to get up to 100,000 in payouts under retention scheme

29,000 set to benefit from programme to shore up public healthcare system

- Joyce Teo Senior

About 29,000 nurses are set to receive up to $100,000 in payouts under a new long-term retention scheme for nurses working in the public healthcare system.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced this at an event at the National University Hospital (NUH) on Feb 20.

The Award for Nurses' Grace, Excellence and Loyalty (Angel) scheme starts in September.

Under the scheme, all new and in-service nurses below 46 years old who are working in public healthcare institutions will receive payouts every four to six years, with each payout ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.

Over the next 20 years of their career, they could receive a potential total payout of up to $100,000.

Foreign nurses who have been in continuous service for at least four years as at or after September 2024 will also be eligible for the same quantum and frequency of payouts.

Nurses aged 46 and above will each receive a one-off recognition payout of $5,000 to $15,000, depending on their years of service and whether they have been in service for at least five years, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a release.

Subsequently, their payouts will be on an accelerated schedule, and they will receive $15,000 every three years. The nurses keep receiving payouts until they reach the maximum of $100,000, or when they reach the prevailing retirement age, whichever is sooner, MOH added.