About 3 million Singaporeans are about to see a little extra cash land in their bank accounts this December, but there's a deadline to hit if you want yours first. Getting across the Causeway is also set to get easier, with more licensed rides and 2 new names joining the scheme (though not everyone is celebrating). And if you thought gold was just for jewellery and personal portfolios, central banks around the world now have a new place to park theirs. Here's what you need to know this week.
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About 3 million Singaporeans to get S$100 to S$250 Assurance Package payouts in December
Early Christmas present, anyone? About 3 million adult Singaporeans will receive S$100 to S$250 in cash from 8 December 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance. This is the final payout under the enhanced Assurance Package (AP), announced at Budget 2023 to help households with living costs. Over 5 years, from 2022 to 2026, eligible Singaporeans would have received up to S$2,250.
You qualify if you're aged 21 and above in 2027. How much you get depends on your assessable income and how many properties you own:
Assessable income | Own 1 property or none | Own more than 1 property |
|---|---|---|
S$39,000 and below | S$250 | S$100 |
S$39,001 to S$100,000 | S$150 | S$100 |
Above S$100,000 | S$100 | S$100 |
Want your cash fastest? Link your NRIC to PayNow by 24 November 2026 and it'll land on 8 December. Banking with DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB but haven't linked PayNow? Submit your bank details at govbenefits.gov.sg by 30 November 2026 to receive it via GIRO by 17 December. You can check your eligibility on the same portal with Singpass.
ALSO READ: Singapore Government Payouts 2026: What's Left to Collect This Year
More cross-border taxis between Singapore and JB from 16 November
Heading to JB for the weekend? Catching a ride across the Causeway is about to get a little easier. Singapore and Malaysia will raise the cross-border taxi quota from 300 to 500 per country from 16 November 2026. That means up to 1,000 licensed cross-border taxis across both countries, up from 600 today. Here's what's changing:
- Quota: 500 taxis per country, up from 300
- New operators: Singapore's CDG Zig and Malaysia's Kumpool join GrabCar, bringing the total to 3 licensed ride-hailing operators
- Drop-offs: Since May 2026, passengers can be dropped off anywhere in Singapore and within designated areas in Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai, and Senai
- Pick-ups: Still limited to designated points in the other country
Not everyone is cheering, though. The National Taxi Association said drivers are worried about jobs and earnings after the quota rose twice this year, and it has asked the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to issue the new licences in phases. CDG Zig hasn't announced its fares yet.
Singapore opens gold vault to central banks and waives GST on wholesale gold services
It's not just retail investors piling into gold; central banks want in too. On 10 November 2026, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) launched a gold-vaulting service for central banks, alongside a GST waiver for wholesale gold activities. The gold will sit in Singapore's national currency vault, which can hold up to 500 tonnes. Here's what to know:
- Who can use the vault: Foreign central banks, sovereign entities, and multilateral organisations set up by governments or central banks
- GST waiver: No GST on services between institutional players, such as vaulting, refining, assaying, and broking, with more details at Budget 2027
- Gold clearing system: Ready by end-2026, with live trading from the first quarter of 2027
- SGX Gold Kilobar Futures: Targeted for the second quarter of 2027
To be clear, the GST waiver covers dealings between institutions, not your personal gold purchases. Still, it's a sign Singapore is serious about becoming a major gold hub, which is worth keeping an eye on if gold is part of your portfolio.
Also read: How to Invest in Gold in Singapore (2026)
That's it for this week! Stay tuned for next week's What's Happening This Week to keep up with the latest in finance, business, and beyond.
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