Nine-day Budget debate - it's a wrap

The nine-day Budget debate wrapped up yesterday with a number of announcements by various ministries. Some key ones from this week include the retirement age going up from 63 to 64 in July 2026, along with the re-employment age similarly rising a year to 69; plans to expand MediShield Life coverage; and $300 worth of e-vouchers for Singaporeans living in Housing Board flats to buy more energy-efficient appliances.

There will also be new infrastructure developments on the horizon. Those who live in the east will soon have another transport option, with the opening of seven MRT stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line come June 23. Plans are afoot for more housing in Yishun and potentially the Gillman Barracks area in Alexandra. And even as Singaporeans are starting to recover from Taylor Swift fever, they can look forward to more world-class events with a new indoor arena that will be built and will replace the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

If you would like a closer look at the overall Budget numbers, here’s a breakdown for this year.

— Jaime Ho, Straits Times Editor

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