MPs are
paid an allowance for the time and expenses incurred in serving in that
capacity. Our MPs serve dual roles – they have a community-based role, i.e.
looking after the needs of their constituents and raising their concerns in
Parliament, and also a legislative role in Parliament where they can influence
decisions on Government budgets, and enact or amend legislation, including the
Constitution.
As MPs play
a political role, their allowance should be pegged to that of the political
appointment holders. But since MPs do not have an executive role, MPs are given
only a monthly allowance, a 13th month bonus and AVC. Hence, an MP’s annual
allowance is 17.5% of the MR4 benchmark, i.e. a drop of 3% from the 2010
allowance. The annual MP allowance is $192,500.
Prior to 21 May
2011, only MPs elected before 1995 were eligible for pension. However, just
like the political appointment holders, the pensions of these MPs have been
frozen as at 20 May 2011. They will receive the frozen pension when they step
down from their MP positions.
NCMPs and
NMPs have smaller roles than MPs. They do not have a community role as they do
not have constituents. They also have a reduced legislative role in that they
cannot vote on government budgets and changes to the Constitution. Hence the
annual allowance of an NCMP / NMP is pegged to 15% of the MP’s annual allowance.
An NCMP/NMP’s annual allowance is $28,900, which is a drop of about 4% from the
2010 allowance.
MPs are on
the Medisave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) scheme. There are no other perks.
