SSB issue
GX18120X
Issued 03 Dec 2018 · Matures 01 Dec 2028
Year 1 rate
1.89%
10-year average: 2.57%
Application window
01 Nov 2018 – 27 Nov 2018
Allotment: S$300M · Applied: S$321M 107% of allotment
SSB year-1 rate history
This issue in context
- Year-1 change: The 1.89% year-1 rate is 9 bp higher than the previous SSB issue (GX18110Z, 1.80% year 1).
- Trailing 12 months: Across the previous 11 SSB issues, year-1 rates ranged from 1.32% to 1.80%. This year-1 rate sits at the top of that range.
- Step-up profile: The 10-year average (2.57%) is 68 bp above the year-1 coupon — a steep step-up, with later-year coupons substantially exceeding year 1.
- Demand: Applications of S$321M were 107% of the S$300M allotment — oversubscribed, so MAS allotted by random ballot above the cutoff amount.
Descriptive observations from MAS issuance history — not forecasts or recommendations.
Coupon & return schedule
The coupon is the interest paid each year. The cumulative return is the effective average rate if you hold the bond for that many years and redeem.
| Year held | Coupon | Cumulative return |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 1.89% | 1.89% |
| Year 2 | 2.19% | 2.04% |
| Year 3 | 2.38% | 2.15% |
| Year 4 | 2.54% | 2.24% |
| Year 5 | 2.66% | 2.32% |
| Year 6 | 2.73% | 2.39% |
| Year 7 | 2.77% | 2.44% |
| Year 8 | 2.82% | 2.48% |
| Year 9 | 2.90% | 2.52% |
| Year 10 | 3.04% | 2.57% |
Frequently asked questions
- When does the application window close for GX18120X?
- Applications for GX18120X close on 27 Nov 2018 at 9pm Singapore time. Allotment results are published a few business days later via MAS and your bank.
- When does GX18120X mature?
- GX18120X matures on 01 Dec 2028 — a 10-year tenor from issue date. SSBs can also be redeemed in any month before maturity at face value plus accrued interest.
- How does GX18120X's year-1 rate compare to recent SSB issues?
- GX18120X's year-1 rate of 1.89% is up 9 bp from the prior issue. Recent year-1 rates: 1.80% (GX18110Z, Nov 2018), 1.74% (GX18100V, Oct 2018), 1.75% (GX18090T, Sept 2018). Twelve-month trough was 1.32% (GX18010X).
- How does GX18120X's year-1 rate compare to the current 6-month T-bill?
- GX18120X pays 1.89% in year 1, 44 bp higher than the latest 6-month T-bill cutoff of 1.45% (BS26110S, auctioned 21 May 2026). T-bills lock funds for 6 months; SSB is redeemable any month at face value, with a 10-year step-up coupon schedule.
- Can I redeem GX18120X before maturity?
- Yes. SSBs can be redeemed in any month at face value plus accrued interest, with no penalty. Redemption requests open on the 1st of each month and close at 9pm on the 4th business day before month-end. Funds are credited on the 2nd business day of the following month.
- How is the SSB year-1 rate calculated?
- MAS computes each issue's coupon schedule from the average SGS yields in the reference month preceding the announcement (year-1 from the 1-year average, year-10 from the 10-year average, intermediate years interpolated). The full method is documented at /learn/how-ssb-works/.
Learn more
- How SSB works — step-up coupons, monthly issuance, the S$200K cap.
- Holding to maturity vs early redemption — what changes, what doesn't, and the S$2 redemption fee.
- SSB vs T-bill — a decision framework when both look attractive.
- CPF OA vs SSB — which wins for retirement savings, with the real opportunity-cost math.