NSmen to receive IPPT rewards via PayNow from 2019
From 2019, operationally ready national servicemen who do well in their annual physical fitness tests will receive their cash rewards instantly via electronic-payment service PayNow.
SINGAPORE — From next year, operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) who do well in their annual physical fitness tests will receive their cash rewards instantly via electronic-payment service PayNow, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced on Thursday (Oct 4).
Those who take their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) at the fitness conditioning centre in Maju Camp will be the first to benefit, with the initiative to be rolled out there in early 2019, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said.
Among the four fitness conditioning centres, the Maju one sees the highest number of NSmen taking their IPPT.
The service will be offered at the other three centres — in Bedok, Khatib and Kranji — by the middle of next year.
The precise launch dates will be made public through the National Service (NS) Portal.
Right now, NSmen receive their IPPT incentives via inter-bank payment system Giro about two weeks after finishing their IPPT.
All NSmen have to pass their yearly IPPT within a 12-month period. They receive cash incentives of S$500 for a Gold award, S$300 for Silver, and S$200 for a Pass with Incentive.
As part of the latest initiative, NSmen who sign up for PayNow and link their accounts to their national registration identity card numbers will receive their incentives right after completing the fitness test.
The move to offer instant payment is in step with the Government’s efforts to promote more efficient payment methods, as the Republic strives to become a Smart Nation. It will also improve the NS experience, Mindef said.
Speaking at an award presentation ceremony and exhibition at Nanyang Polytechnic on Thursday, Dr Ng said NSmen will appreciate this “small idea”, which will make a big impact.
“As you (do) your 2.4km run and cross the finishing line, you can hear the ‘chink’. I exaggerate somewhat, but you get it on the same day, basically, as your IPPT,” he said.
The IPPT has three stations: Push-ups to gauge a soldier’s upper-body muscular strength and endurance, sit-ups to evaluate abdominal muscular strength and endurance, and a 2.4km run to test cardiovascular fitness and lower-limb muscular endurance.
