Do I lose my AWS if I resign before December?

Question

My company pays AWS (13th month) in December. I got an offer starting October. Will I forfeit the whole thing or is it prorated? Don't want to leave 2 months of bonus on the table.

SMU Grad Xinyi · Accepted Answer

It depends entirely on your contract, read the exact wording. Many SG companies prorate AWS based on months worked in the calendar year and pay it in your final salary, but some have a clause that you must be employed on the payout date to receive anything. Check your employment letter and staff handbook now. If it says "must be in service on 31 Dec", you'd forfeit by leaving in Oct. If it's silent or says prorated, you're entitled to Jan to Sep portion under MOM guidelines for contractual AWS. My move: negotiate a sign-on bonus with the new company to cover the gap, they do this all the time to poach. Also time your last day to your advantage if the contract allows.

Property Sis Cheryl · Answer

One trick: if you can push your start date to January, you keep the full AWS and start fresh. Ask the new employer if they can wait, 3 months notice plus a bit is common. Depends how badly they want you.

Auntie Lay Hoon Wet Market · Answer

AWS is contractual not mandatory in SG, so it's 100% down to your terms. If prorated, you get 9/12 of a month. If service-date-gated, you get zero. Screenshot the clause and confirm with HR in writing before you sign anything.

Insurance Sis Priya · Answer

Been there. My old company had the "must be employed on payout date" clause so I lost it. New company gave me a 2 month sign-on to compensate when I raised it. Ask lah, worst case they say no. Never assume the bonus is guaranteed.

Do I lose my AWS if I resign before December?

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