The SRS is part of the Singapore government's multi-pronged strategy to address the financial needs of a greying population, which were highlighted in the Report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the Ageing Population, released in November 1999.
The SRS complements the Central Provident Fund (CPF). CPF savings are meant to provide for housing and medical needs and for basic living needs after retirement. Unlike the CPF scheme, participation in SRS is voluntary. Participants can contribute a varying amount to SRS (subject to a cap) at their own discretion. The contributions may be used to purchase various investment instruments.
With the SRS, the government hopes to encourage Singaporeans to save more for their old age, by means of voluntary contributions to their SRS accounts. The SRS will be effective from 1st April 2001. It will be operated by the private sector.
The SRS offers attractive tax benefits. Contributions to SRS are eligible for tax relief, investment returns are accumulated tax-free (with the exception of Singapore dividends), and only 50% of the withdrawals from SRS are taxable at retirement.
Source: Ministry of Finance
If you would like to find out more about SRS Scheme you can log on to the Ministry of Finance Website http://www.mof.gov.sg/ or contact any of the 3 SRS operators.