Singapore civil servants to get 1.3-month year-end bonus; junior officers to receive extra lump sum of $600

The latest payout, which follows “close consultation with public sector unions”, marks an increase from the 1.05-month year-end bonus given in 2024. Together with the mid-year payment of 0.4 months, civil servants will take home a total of 1.7 months in the full-year Annual Variable Component (AVC). Junior officers will receive total lump-sum payments of up to S$1,000 this year. 

The government said the decision reflects a more optimistic economic outlook. Singapore’s GDP is projected to grow by around 4% in 2025, an upgrade by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, supported by “better-than-expected performance of the Singapore economy in the first three quarters of the year, as well as the latest global and domestic economic situations”. 

Labour market conditions have also strengthened. According to the Ministry of Manpower’s latest Labour Market Advance Release, total employment expanded faster than in the previous quarter, while unemployment and retrenchment levels remained low and stable.

In line with National Wages Council (NWC) recommendations to uplift lower-wage workers, civil servants in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16, as well as those in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) will receive the additional S$600 one-time payment. 

The government reiterated its commitment to a fair and progressive wage structure, stating in the official release: “The Government will continue to adopt a progressive approach in determining the AVC for civil servants.” 

All civil servants will also continue to receive the Non-Pensionable Annual Allowance (NPAA), commonly known as the 13th-month bonus. 

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and public sector unions welcomed this year’s payout, describing it as one of the strongest in recent years. “Including the mid-year payments, the full-year AVC is one of the highest in recent years. 

This outcome comes after negotiations we have had with the PSD,” said Ms Cham Hui Fong, deputy secretary-general of NTUC. The Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE), which negotiated the payout alongside other unions, called it a fair recognition of civil servants' contributions. 

“The bonus is a fair recognition by the government for our civil servants’ work, in a rapidly evolving environment, as the economy stabilises amid ongoing uncertainties,” said Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari, general secretary of AUPE. 

“AUPE will continue to work closely with the government in upholding the interests of our civil servants, ensuring that they are adequately recognised for their dedication and contributions.” 

With the improved economic and labour market outlook, this year’s higher year-end bonus signals strengthened confidence in Singapore’s recovery and the public sector’s continued emphasis on supporting junior-grade and lower-wage workers. 

“Taken together with the mid-year payments, civil servants will receive a total of 1.7 months in full-year AVC,” the PSD stated in its release, affirming the government’s ongoing commitment to progressive wage support across the civil service. “with those in the more junior grades receiving additional total lump sum payments of up to $1,000 in 2025.”