$$$ Singapore Expat Package Allowances?

[expat2007]

I have been offered a job in Singapore and am now being asked what my salary package requirements are. This will be a 2 year contract. My wife and I have a new baby and could possibly continue to add to our family in the next 2 years.

With a base of around $300k pa, what are all of the other allowances on top of my base salary that I should ask for in my salary package? This is my first time as a "contractor" and I am unsure of all of the expenses I should consider.

We would prefer to live in newish 2 bedroom apartment/condo that is next to the MRT and central to shopping/etc. as my wife will be with the baby.

Coming from California, we are used to living quite comfortably, so I would like to aim high as I am sure the negotiations will only go down from here!

Please let me know what we should ask for in terms of our expenses/allowances!

Any suggestions on locations for condos would also be appreciated!

Salary = $275k pa (not inclusive of expenses)

+ Moving allowance = ?? (have been quoted $10k)
+ Temporary housing allowance = ?? (for a hotel when we first arrive? Not sure how long it will take to find a condo?)
+ Housing allowance = ??
+ Car allowance = ??
+ Food allowance = ??
+ Medical = ??
+ Life insurance = ??
+ Entertainment = ??
+ Travel allowance = ?? (perhaps 1 flyback per year?)
+ OTHERS = ??

THANKS for your help! I definitely do not want to forget to ask for something in the salary package or underestimate the cost of living!

[whoa]

i can understand the rest, but food and entertainment allowance?!?!

perhaps you mean during official business travel? but i doubt that comes into your contract.

[reply]

Thanks for your reply! I really have no idea what is allowed for in a "typical" expat package. I guess I am used to consulting engagements where that sort of stuff is included. That is helpful feedback.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[Car Allowance]

Car allowance - we had $4k a month for car allowance, but it may cost more these days to hire a good marque car. may be worth contacting the long term rental depts of big car renters here, like Hertz, Orix, Sans, SM MOtors (Volvo) for a quick idea of the monthly cost for a 2 year lease. Ask them what their higher end cars go for.

[House Allowance]

10k would have been a reasonable allowance a year or so ago, but rents have since doubled for the kind of places that US expats would want to live in. I would ask for an increase there.

[Temporary Housing]

Check on the websites for serviced apartments, such as Treetops, Shangri-La. They will be able to email you a quote for a 2 or 3  bedder to give you an idea of the rates. Higher than the long term rental rates usually. We paid 18k a month last year.

[Kiwi 2]

If you are thinking of adding to your family then a 2 bedroom place will not really meet your needs. Rental contracts here are generally for 2 years. Therefore you need to choose something that will work for your whole assignment.

Will you get a look see visit? Perhaps ask to be shown some places in your tentative housing budget and then continue negotiations?

[reply]

Good lord, I knew rental prices were high, but I never thought 10k would be necessary! Is there any way to get a US-like apartment for less? Or is that average?

Is it difficult to find a decent apartment? I would hate to think that we would be stuck in a hotel/temp. apartment for a long time with the baby.

Excellent suggestion about the look see visit - unfortunately, I don't think that is feasible given the time frame.

The company has asked me how much I need for the allowances, given the responses so far, my original thoughts about how much we need may have been way off base!

[open ended]

it's possible to get a 3-bedder for less than 10K. also temporary housing for much less. it's all about how you picture your lifestyle to be. best would be a look-see trip, really.

[Notayank]

I'm assuming your figures are Singapore dollars??

I don't think you mentioned whether your US tax will be taken care of, so look into that.I know nothing about this but many from the US mention it!
I get about your base salary in US$ and get

housing S$13,500pm

car: don't actually know how much for this as was bought so long ago and haven't bothered to renew.

utilities, maintenance, gardening etc c S$1,000pm

return business class flights once a year for whole family (4)

international education, you may not need this now but I thought I'd only be here 2 years and that was 9 years ago, if it wasn't part of the deal then it would not have been added later.

relocation both ways for whatever reason (incuding pets)

Medical and dental...including pregnancy, delivery and new born
(check this)

Pension and mortgage subsidy back home

Make sure you know what annual leave you'll get

Check about bonus

[Notayank]

Looked back at your post so adding

life and disability insurance and temporary accomodation for however long, is in package too.

[Kiwi 2]

Usually people budget to stay 1 month in a serviced apartment. Almost all find permanent housing in that time frame. It may also be wise to have the option to extend your stay there for another month just in case. If it takes longer than that either you are too fussy or your housing agent is crap!

I think to give you any real housing figure we need to know a little more about your expectations. How big do you want the place to be. Does it need to be brand new or is a much older place also an option? I know people who have found lovely places with housing budgets 7K-9K. I also know others who have struggled with much higher allowances. Sometimes its the luck of the draw. I have a different method to most for avoiding an agent talking me up. I give my actual budget and then refuse to look at anything more than $500 above that. You will know very quickly if you have a dud agent or not. If you do then cut your losses and change. The danger with giving a much lower budget is that you waste time looking at crap that doesn't meet your needs. Almost all available properties are advertised in the Straits Times newspaper. You can always look yourself and ask your agent to follow up for you.

[Truth]

If you're working as a contractor I'm assuming you're not getting any medical, dental, life, and other insurances from your company right now so I doubt they will be part of any expat package.  The typical expat here gets a housing allowance (size depends on seniority, type of firm, etc), school allowance for kids, relocation expenses, and 1 or 2 flights home per year for personal use.  Some get less, some get more.  Car allowances are given sometimes but usually not.  If the company offers to pay for your relocation and housing only they are not too far off of par for a typical company's expat program.  But since you're just a contractor don't be surprised if you don't even get a housing allowance.  I've known a number of people who don't get school allowances.  Singapore is not considered a "hardship" country to live in by most companies so typically won't give you the same benefits you'd get if you moved to a place like India or Indonesia.