With over 2.3 million members, NTUC’s Plus! Rewards Programme is one of the most popular memberships in Singapore. 9 different types of cards are available for the membership, but only 3 cards are for NTUC members – NTUC Card, NTUC Link Visa Debit/Credit Card and NTUC Social Membership Card (a rider for existing NTUC members). Non-union members are eligible to apply for the Trust Link Credit/Debit card that also allows them to earn rebate points and redeem at partnering outlets. But what exactly does it mean to be an NTUC member and is it worth the annual subscription of $117?
We examine the monetary and non-monetary benefits that NTUC members get to enjoy to help you decide.
What Is An NTUC Membership?
The NTUC membership is administered by the National Trades Union Congress, a national confederation of trade unions, as well as a network of professional associations and partners across all sectors in Singapore.
There are two types of membership available – Ordinary Branch and General Branch. If the company you are employed under has a relationship with their respective union, you will become an ordinary member under the union.
The union will represent Ordinary Branch members in wage negotiations and workplace issues. On the other hand, General Branch members do not have such rights, but can still enjoy the same social benefits as Ordinary Branch members, such as NTUC FairPrice rebates, Plus! Rewards and NTUC Club facilities.
To be eligible for a membership, applicants need to be at least 16 years of age, and they must not be personnel from the Singapore Police Force, Singapore Prisons, Civil Defence, Singapore Armed Forces, Narcotics Service, Auxiliary Police Bodies, and foreign domestic workers. The monthly subscription is $9 a month, with the exception for the month of December, where the subscription is $18.
An NTUC membership grants you both monetary and non-monetary benefits.
Monetary Benefits
#1 Plus! Rewards Programme
Plus! members can earn LinkPoints by shopping at Plus! partners, both online and offline.
Besides NTUC FairPrice supermarkets and Unity Pharmacies, you can also earn LinkPoints while getting your retail and services done with popular brand such as Prism+, GetGo Carsharing and Krisflyer.
For example, you will receive 0.5 LinkPoints for every $1 spent at all NTUC FairPrice supermarkets. You get to earn 0.83 LinkPoints for every $1 spent if you meet a minimum monthly spend of $400 at FairPrice, Cheers, Unity or affiliated outlets, The bonus LinkPoints will be credited on the 1st of the following month if you have met the minimum spend, which you can use to offset future purchases at selected Plus! partners.
NTUC members are also eligible to sign up for the Trust Link credit card which provides additional perks, such as getting up to 20% of fuel savings at Caltex and up to 15% savings in Linkpoints on FairPrice Group grocery and food spend, on top of the usual NTUC membership benefits and privileges.
#2 Dividends And Cash Rebates From NTUC FairPrice
As an NTUC member, you are entitled to cash rebates (and dividends) from purchases made at NTUC FairPrice and Unity pharmacies. Cash rebates are based on a 2% rebate on purchases of up to $6,000 in the last financial year and are distributed annually along with dividends.
To be eligible for NTUC FairPrice Rebates and Dividends, you need to sign up as a NTUC FairPrice member. This can be done by subscribing to 20 NTUC FairPrice shares at $1 each and pay a one-time non-refundable entry fee of $3. There is also a “Join-Now-Pay-Later” scheme where you can pay for the 20 shares and entry fee ($23) with the rebates earned later on.
Dividends and rebates are subjected to approval at the respective Annual General Meetings each year.
#3 Membership Discounts And Privileges
NTUC members also get to enjoy discounts and privileges from over 1,000 outlet partners in dining, entertainment and lifestyle, as well as exclusive birthday treats. This includes 10% off Yole, 12% off Zalora with 5% cashback, discounted rates to attractions and exclusive coupons and vouchers on platforms such as Foodpanda and Tribecar. Signing up for insurance with MoneyOwl also allows for some rebates. These are easily accessible through the MyNTUC app on mobile.
Additionally, member also enjoy special member rates on NTUC’s social enterprises. This includes additional LinkPoints for enrolment in MyFirstSkool, up to 15% off NTUC Value Meals at NTUC FoodFare and special members’ rate for home care from NTUC Health.
#4 Complimentary Group Insurance
Union members and their spouses who are 65 years of age and below are automatically covered against death and total & permanent disability of up to $40,000, under the NTUC GIFT group insurance. Union leaders can get double the amount of sum assured. Eligible members aged 65 years and above may opt for extension of coverage with payment of a token fee (The token fee has been waived until 2026). In addition, members can also sign up for NTUC Income’s LUV Term Life Insurance at a preferential rate.
Read Also: Guide To How NTUC Income’s Care Secure Works Hand-In-Hand With CareShield Life
#5 Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
One of the training benefits for NTUC members is UTAP, which provides 50% unfunded course fee support under UTAP supported courses. The subsidy is capped at $250 each year. NTUC members who are 40 years old and above have a higher support cap of up to $500 per individual each year for courses attended between 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2025.
Do note that some criteria must be met in order to be eligible for UTAP subsidy, such as attaining a minimum attendance of the course duration, sitting for all prescribed examinations, and submitting the application within 6 months of course completion.
Read Also: Guide To Government Support Schemes For Singaporeans Who Are Retrenched In 2020
Non-Monetary Benefits
#1 Workplace Advisory & Representation
The NTUC Workplace Advisory is a free online service for union members to seek advice and assistance on workplace as well as employment-related matters.
Ordinary Branch members from unionised companies have access to workplace representation for wage negotiations and workplace issues. If you need any immediate assistance, you can visit TADM@NTUC at Jurong East to be served on the same day.
On the other hand, General Branch members from non-unionised companies can seek professional advice from a dedicated team of experienced industrial relations practitioners.
#2 Legal Clinics
NTUC members have access to free basic legal advice with volunteer lawyers via the Law Works initiative, a partnership between NTUC and the Law Society of Singapore. It provides a series of legal primer talks for targeted groups of working professionals and monthly legal clinics for general legal advice and guidance on personal matters such as wills and matrimonial issues.
Do note that only basic legal advice and information are provided at the legal clinic. There will be no drafting or vetting of documents and letters, and each session will not exceed 20 minutes.
#3 U PME Centre and Employment Support
Professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) members can also access the NTUC U PME Centre which aims to be a one-stop advisory centre for PMEs. The Centre integrates workplace, career and professional development advisory services into one platform. Members can book an appointment to meet a U PME Centre Consultant who can provide personalised individual advice.
NTUC provides also provides support to enhance employability and provide platforms to seek career opportunities. With the support from the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), members have access to career fairs, employability workshop, and career support programmes such as Career Conversion Programmes for mid-career professionals and Career Trial that provides a short-term stint with prospective employers.
#4 U Network
NTUC members can sign up to be a member of the U Network. It is a Labour Movement initiatives to enable professional development, training, job placement and networking opportunities for workers in different sectors, on top of traditional services such as protection and representation for the workers.
The U Network comprises affiliated unions and associations – U Associates, U PME, U SME, U FSE. Members of the U Network are able to interact with fellow associates and unions to exchange ideas, learn from various leadership, share best practices and more.
U Network members can also seek assistance from the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM), which provides walk-in advisory services to help resolve workplace issues.
Read Also: Guide To Understanding Singapore’s National Wages Council – And How They Affect Your Salary
This article was first published on 18 January 2019 and updated to reflect latest benefits.
The post [2023 Edition] NTUC Membership: Complete Guide To All The Benefits You Will Receive appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
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