Social welfare — Topics

5 Aug 2014

Erroneous Payment of Financial Assistance to Persons after Death

The Ministry of Health acknowledged an Auditor-General finding that $64,000 was erroneously paid to 99 deceased individuals under the IDAPE due to an IT system migration error, which has since been rectified with system enhancements and a requirement for the external administrator to reimburse the over-payments.
The Minister stated that MOH has instituted new operating procedures and Standard Operating Procedures to prevent similar mistakes, while also seeking to strengthen its overall outsourcing framework for compliance and governance.
In response to a supplementary question, the Minister noted that MOH outsources extensively, including hospital and nursing home services, but does not have the exact quantity on hand and agreed to continue improving the management of outsourced services.

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5 Aug 2014

Medisave for Home-based Healthcare

David Ong proposed allowing Medisave to be used for home-based healthcare for the elderly to reduce hospital congestion and ease caregivers' burdens, prompting the Ministry of Health to outline existing subsidies and cautious plans for gradual Medisave expansion while ensuring adequacy for future hospitalization needs.
The Ministry highlighted current support, including up to 80% subsidies for eligible home care, increased Medisave limits for home palliative care, and upcoming Flexi-Medisave for outpatient treatments, while emphasizing careful consideration to prevent premature depletion of Medisave savings.
David Ong raised concerns about quality and cost of private home care providers, suggesting extensions of CHAS and Medisave for hospice care, with the Ministry responding by detailing existing subsidy frameworks, quality guidelines in development, and clarifying that home palliative and hospice care are already eligible for Medisave.
Chia Shi-Lu asked about expanding Medifund criteria for those in financial need, and the Ministry affirmed that no one will be deprived of care, with providers using charity funds or alternative assistance for those unable to afford services after subsidies.

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4 Aug 2014

Extending Coverage under CPF Dependants' Protection Scheme to Statutory Retirement Limit

MPs Zaqy Mohamad and Zainal Sapari asked for DPS coverage to be extended from age 60 to 65, aligning it with housing loan limits and retirement age, with an inquiry on premium estimates for ages 64-65.
Minister Tan Chuan-Jin explained that DPS is a low-cost term insurance scheme, and its need declines as breadwinners near retirement since children become less dependent and CPF savings accumulate.
Extending DPS beyond 60 would involve significantly higher premiums due to increased mortality rates, with an estimated $3,500 cost over five years—equivalent to 35 years of prior premiums.
The Minister emphasized that setting the DPS limit at 60 balances providing dependant protection and retirement adequacy, and alternative coverage options like the Home Protection Scheme or private insurance exist for those needing protection beyond 60.

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4 Aug 2014

Take-up Rate of Special Needs Savings Scheme by Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked about the take-up rate of the Special Needs Savings Scheme since its 2012 launch, including the number of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) enrolled, their age ranges, and how many have begun receiving benefits after their parents' demise.
As of June 2014, 199 PwD are enrolled in the scheme, with 84% aged between one and 20 years old.
No enrollees have started receiving monthly disbursements from their parents' CPF savings yet, as this only occurs upon the parents' demise.

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4 Aug 2014

Lack of Bed Space in Government Community Hospitals for Patients from Acute Hospitals

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef raised concerns about patients unable to transfer from acute to community hospitals due to bed shortages or affordability issues with private options.
Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined plans to expand community hospital capacity with new facilities and additional beds from current hospitals, aiming to add over 1,600 beds by 2020.
The Ministry of Health has implemented transitional care programs, home-based support, and interim caregiver services to facilitate patient discharge and recovery without relying solely on community hospital beds.
Subsidies for home-based rehabilitation and services at Senior Care Centres are provided to make community care more affordable and accessible.

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4 Aug 2014

Relocation of Sungei Road Market

Ms Faizah Jamal requested an update on the relocation of Sungei Road market from the Minister for Environment and Water Resources.
The Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, stated that development plans for the area will be confirmed only after the completion of Jalan Besar MRT station in 2017, with advance notice given once the timeline is set.
The National Environment Agency has advised vendors to consider alternative plans, such as relocating to affordable hawker centre stalls.
The NEA, along with the Workforce Development Agency and Social Service Offices, will help extend work and financial assistance schemes to regular vendors who need support.

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4 Aug 2014

Review of Enhancement for Active Seniors Programme

The Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme review has been completed, with the age criterion lowered from 70 to 65 years old, and further to 60–64 for those needing daily living assistance, expanding coverage to an additional 100,000 households.
The programme’s scope has been extended to include slip-resistant treatment and grab bars for a second toilet in eligible flats.
HDB will consider and approve requests from low-income families with special needs members who do not meet the age criteria if their needs are justified.

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4 Aug 2014

Enhancement of CPF LIFE Payout to Help Widows

Foo Mee Har asked how CPF LIFE can be improved to provide retirement income for widows relying on their husbands' CPF LIFE annuities.
Tan Chuan-Jin explained that upon a member's death, unused CPF LIFE savings are refunded to beneficiaries and can be transferred to their accounts for retirement payouts.
The government encourages family support through CPF top-ups, tax reliefs, and schemes like the Silver Housing Bonus and Lease Buyback Scheme.
Widows without family support or resources can seek help through social safety nets such as ComCare.

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4 Aug 2014

Government's Measure of Household Wealth Inequality

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked whether the Department of Statistics measures household wealth inequality and if there are plans to collect and publish such data.
The Department of Statistics does not currently measure household wealth inequality due to challenges in obtaining sensitive financial data protected by law and the tendency of individuals to under-report wealth in surveys.
The government will continue to monitor international developments and review the feasibility of compiling wealth statistics in Singapore if necessary.

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4 Aug 2014

Net Assets Enable Government to Meet CPF Obligations despite Market Cycles

The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the Government uses its net assets—specifically past reserves safeguarded by the Constitution—as a buffer to guarantee CPF savings and pay SSGS interest rates even when GIC’s returns are weak, ensuring CPF members receive promised rates regardless of market cycles.
GIC manages a combined pool of Government funds, including unencumbered assets, allowing it to take long-term investment risks; short-term fluctuations in returns due to market volatility are not considered a draw on past reserves, as the Constitution protects against systematic erosion rather than cyclical losses.
In response to supplementary questions, the Deputy Prime Minister clarified that GIC’s reported returns account for all assets it manages for the Government, that NIRC to the Budget is calculated after covering liabilities like SSGS, and that shortfalls in GIC returns relative to SSGS rates are absorbed by the Government’s net assets.

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9 Jul 2014

MediShield Life

Members unanimously supported MediShield Life for providing lifelong, universal coverage against large medical bills, emphasizing its role in strengthening Singapore's social safety net and offering peace of mind, especially for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
Key concerns raised included premium affordability for lower-income groups, pensioners, and young families, with calls for sustained subsidies and support beyond the transitional period to prevent anyone from dropping out due to financial hardship.
The debate highlighted the need for better public communication and education on the scheme's details, particularly for seniors, to ensure understanding and address misconceptions about coverage and premiums.
Several MPs stressed the importance of cost control and sustainability, urging prudent healthcare spending, regulated premium increases for Integrated Shield Plans, and incentives for employers to adopt portable medical benefits.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to funding MediShield Life with $4 billion in subsidies over five years, ensuring no one is left behind, and outlined ongoing outreach efforts to explain the scheme to all Singaporeans.

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8 Jul 2014

Impact of MediShield Life on Pensioners

As of June 2014, approximately 32,000 pensioners were distributed across older medical schemes, with 60% on the Fixed Amount on Ward (3%) and Co-Payment on Ward Scheme (57%), and 40% on the Comprehensive Co-Payment Scheme.
The Government announced on 4 July 2014 that measures would be taken to ensure pensioners would benefit from MediShield Life coverage and be no worse off compared to their existing medical benefits.
These measures were specifically designed to help pensioners under the various legacy medical schemes transition to MediShield Life without losing existing coverage or facing increased financial burden.

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8 Jul 2014

MediShield Life

The government has accepted all recommendations from the MediShield Life Review Committee to provide universal, lifelong coverage against large medical bills, with the scheme set to be implemented by the end of 2015.
Premiums will increase due to enhanced benefits and coverage for pre-existing conditions, but the government will provide subsidies and financial assistance to ensure affordability, with support lasting up to four years for all citizens and permanent subsidies for lower- to middle-income households.
The scheme aims to strengthen social safety nets and collective responsibility while managing healthcare costs through measures like co-payments and promoting healthy lifestyles to ensure long-term sustainability.

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8 Jul 2014

Investment of CPF Monies

Multiple MPs raised concerns about CPF interest rates, investment returns, and whether higher, risk-free options could be offered, with the Deputy Prime Minister explaining that CPF rates are pegged to market benchmarks and guaranteed by the government, while emphasizing the system's safety and sustainability.
The government clarified that CPF monies are invested in Special Singapore Government Securities, with proceeds managed by GIC as part of a larger government pool; this arrangement allows for long-term returns while shielding members from risk, unlike if CPF funds were managed separately.
MPs also called for more flexibility in CPF withdrawals, such as allowing lump sums or easier access for housing needs, but the Ministry of Manpower highlighted the trade-off between flexibility and retirement adequacy, noting case-by-case assistance is available for those facing difficulties.

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8 Jul 2014

CPF Minimum Sum Requirement and Singaporean's Retirement Adequacy

Ministers emphasized that CPF's Minimum Sum is cohort-specific and does not change for individuals once set, with adjustments made gradually to match projected retirement needs and longer life expectancies.
Key statistics revealed that about half of active CPF members meet their Minimum Sum, with some using property to pledge for half the amount, while a significant portion leaves excess funds for higher returns.
Flexibility is offered for housing loans after age 55 through case-by-case appeals, and measures like higher interest rates, Workfare, and CPF LIFE aim to enhance retirement adequacy.

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7 Jul 2014

Take-up Rates for Silver Housing Bonus and Lease Buyback Scheme

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef inquired about the take-up rates for the Silver Housing Bonus and Lease Buyback Scheme over the last two years, and how many seniors met the CPF Minimum Sum with the available top-up.
Since February 2013, 80 households received the Silver Housing Bonus, with 110 out of 120 seniors achieving the Minimum Sum after topping up their CPF Retirement Accounts.
Similarly, 312 households benefited from the enhanced Lease Buyback Scheme, with 399 out of 412 seniors meeting the Minimum Sum after using the proceeds for CPF top-ups.

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7 Jul 2014

Factors Considered in Means-testing for Community Health Assist Scheme

Mrs Lina Chiam asked if the means-testing for the Community Health Assist Scheme should consider other assets like bank deposits.
The Ministry of Health currently uses per capita monthly household income and Annual Value of residence to assess eligibility, aiming to balance precision with simplicity.
The Ministry noted that adding asset criteria could make the application process more onerous but will continue to regularly review the means-testing criteria.

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7 Jul 2014

Prices of Medicines Sold at Public Hospitals

Foo Mee Har questioned if medicines in Singapore’s public hospitals are more expensive than in Malaysia and Thailand and how to narrow the price gap for affordability.
The Ministry of Health explained that higher prices stem from factors like distribution costs, exchange rates, and supplier pricing, but bulk tendering by public institutions helps reduce costs.
Subsidies are available through the Standard Drugs List and Medication Assistance Fund, with plans to increase subsidies for lower- to middle-income patients and pioneers from 2015.
The government regularly reviews drug affordability and provides additional financial aid through Medifund for needy patients.

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7 Jul 2014

Funds from Dormant Accounts for Charity

Laurence Lien proposed introducing a law to transfer funds from dormant accounts to a fund for charitable and community projects.
The Minister acknowledged that account holders retain ownership of dormant funds and highlighted that MAS is working with financial institutions to trace claimants and will review the policy, considering practices in other jurisdictions.
Lien cited the UK’s Dormant Bank and Building Society Act as a successful example, where funds from accounts dormant for over 15 years are used for charitable causes while protecting the right to reclaim.
The Minister noted that dormant account laws are common in some developed jurisdictions, often transferring unclaimed funds to the national treasury, and agreed to study international experiences, including the UK model, as part of the policy review.

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7 Jul 2014

Take-up Rate and Profile of Beneficiaries of Child Development Co-savings Scheme

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked for data on the take-up rate and full co-matching of the Child Development Co-savings Scheme by housing type since 2001, and the reasons for differences, but the Ministry does not track this by housing or income level and instead focuses on supporting low-income families through community touchpoints and initiatives like the OCBC Starter Scheme.
The Minister highlighted challenges such as awareness and ability for lower-income families to participate, explaining that the scheme’s co-matching aims to encourage parental savings, with community efforts supplementing support but not replacing the core philosophy of shared responsibility.
Mr Yee proposed removing the co-matching requirement or using alternative incentives like higher interest rates to better assist low-income families, but the Minister maintained that the co-matching principle remains relevant to encourage family savings and that different policy tools are needed for different objectives.

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