SINGAPORE - More than 270 merchants - from Krispy Kreme outlets and Paradise Group eateries to Golden Village cinemas and Fossil stores -will accept NS50 vouchers, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday (May 18).

In all, the vouchers can be used at more than 6,000 outlets across the island, including fashion retailers, shopping malls, grocery stores, telco outlets, cinemas and airlines.

The $100 worth of vouchers are part of the previously announced NS50 recognition packages - to be given to all former and current national servicemen - which also include one year's free membership for either Safra or HomeTeamNS clubhouses, as well as instructions on registering for a commemorative NS50 Passion Card with five years' membership.

On top of the one-year free membership, Safra and HomeTeamNS are offering an extra two years of membership, at no cost, to those who purchase another one year by June 30, 2018.

The moves are part of efforts to mark the 50th year of national service in Singapore.

The various merchants include 56 that did not participate in a previous round of vouchers given out for NS45, five years ago (2012). Some new merchants include Hush Puppies, Ted Baker, Tunglok Group, Singapore Airlines, JetStar and Switch by Timbre.

For the full merchant list, visit www.mindef.gov.sg/NS50/merchantlist.html

Packages are being posted from this month onwards. Those who have finished full-time national service but are not Safra or HomeTeamNS members will receive a letter by August with instructions on registering for their packages.

They will receive the package within two months of registration.

Registration will remain open until June 30, 2018, and the vouchers are valid until Dec 31, 2018.