In 2012, the salary of an entry-level Minister (i.e., job grade MR4) was benchmarked to the median income of the top 1,000 income earners who were Singapore citizens, with a 40 per cent discount to reflect the ethos of political service. The salary levels of other political appointment holders were determined based on their salary ratios to MR4 and reflected their roles and responsibilities. In 2017, the independent committee set up to review political salaries noted that the benchmark had increased since 2012, and recommended adjusting the salary levels of political appointment holders to match the benchmark. However, the Government decided not to make any changes and to keep the political salaries at the 2012 level, since the economy was still in transition. Political salaries have thus not been adjusted since 2012.