The social security agreement between the United Kingdom and Singapore is an important bilateral agreement that affects the social security benefits of individuals living and working in both countries. The agreement was signed in 1981 and has been in effect since 1984.

This agreement aims to eliminate dual social security contributions and to protect the social security rights of individuals who have lived and worked in both countries. Under the agreement, individuals are only required to pay social security contributions in one country at a time. This means that if you are a UK citizen working in Singapore, you will only need to pay social security contributions in Singapore.

The agreement also covers the payment of certain social security benefits, including retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits. If you have lived and worked in both the UK and Singapore, your social security contributions will be taken into account when determining your eligibility for these benefits.

To be eligible for social security benefits under the agreement, you must have contributed to the social security system in both countries for a minimum period. In the UK, you must have made contributions for at least two years, while in Singapore, you must have contributed for at least ten years.

The social security agreement also provides for the portability of benefits. This means that if you have worked in both countries, you may be able to receive benefits from both countries. For example, if you have worked in the UK for two years and in Singapore for ten years, you may be eligible for social security benefits from both countries.

It is important to note that the social security agreement between the UK and Singapore only covers certain social security benefits. It does not cover healthcare benefits or other types of insurance. If you need healthcare coverage, you will need to obtain private health insurance or obtain coverage under the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

In conclusion, the social security agreement between the United Kingdom and Singapore is an important bilateral agreement that affects the social security benefits of individuals living and working in both countries. It aims to eliminate dual social security contributions and to protect the social security rights of individuals who have lived and worked in both countries. If you have lived and worked in both countries, it is important to understand your rights under the agreement and to take advantage of the available benefits.