Social welfare — Topics

3 Oct 2023

Number of Singaporeans Aged 55 Unable to Attain Basic Retirement Sum with CPF Savings and Strategies to Enhance Retirement Adequacy

The Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) remains a relevant indicator for basic retirement adequacy as it is regularly adjusted for inflation and household expenditure, and members can set aside up to the Enhanced Retirement Sum for higher payouts.
In 2022, about 12,400 CPF members aged 55 did not meet the cohort BRS, with 5,400 being male and 7,000 female; all active CPF members have positive balances and will receive some CPF LIFE payout, with those meeting BRS expecting at least around $850 monthly from age 65.
Strategies to enhance retirement adequacy include ensuring a competitive economy and good jobs, supporting lower-wage workers through Workfare and Progressive Wage moves, and providing targeted support through schemes like the Silver Support Scheme and family top-ups matched by the government.
Older generations aged 65 and above benefit from Pioneer and Merdeka Generation Packages, while those aged 50–64 receive support from the Majulah Package; younger Singaporeans below 50 save more due to wage growth and have longer to benefit from CPF enhancements.
Future enhancements to the Workfare Income Supplement, Silver Support Scheme, and Matched Retirement Savings Scheme will be detailed next year to further protect retirement adequacy.

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3 Oct 2023

Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill

The Senior Minister of State for Manpower introduced the Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill to amend the Central Provident Fund Act 1953.
The bill was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting.
The parliamentary sitting was suspended at 4.43 pm and resumed at 5.00 pm with the Deputy Speaker in the chair.

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3 Oct 2023

Inpatient Hospice Patients who have Sought ElderShield Claims

Between January 2022 and June 2023, about 20 inpatient hospice patients sought ElderShield claims, all of which were approved following severe disability assessments by MOH-accredited assessors, with a median processing time of 10 working days.
The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) proactively prioritizes claims from patients with limited life expectancy, and MOH is working with AIC to improve access to severe disability assessors for hospices, including linking them with available assessors and expanding the pool of house-call assessors.
MOH is addressing the challenge of assessments for terminally ill hospice patients, acknowledging the inapplicability of requiring two Resident Assessment Forms six months apart, and is exploring enhancements like tele-assessments to improve accessibility for less mobile patients.

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3 Oct 2023

Adults with Special Needs who are Financially-dependent on Retired Parents

The Ministry does not track how many adults with special needs are financially dependent on retired parents, but employment rates for persons with disabilities have increased steadily, with support programs like the Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit aiding job placement and retention.
Future plans include launching Enabling Business Hubs to bring employment services closer to communities and expanding into new sectors like logistics, while aiming for a 40% employment rate by 2030 through a whole-of-society approach.
Parliament members emphasized the need for better data tracking on financial dependency, segmentation of adults with disabilities by work capability, and accelerated investments to ensure long-term self-sufficiency and integration.

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3 Oct 2023

Redefining "Basic Needs" in Social Policies Given Need to Foster Sense of Belonging, Income Inequality Gap and Other Challenges

The Minister explained that basic needs now include socio-psychological elements like social connections, with support for lower-income families provided through schemes like ComCare, which regularly reviews covered items such as digital access.
The government collaborates with community stakeholders to offer holistic support, including healthcare, education, and social bonding initiatives, while addressing income inequality through programs like ComLink to level opportunities and strengthen social compacts.
Mr. Yip questioned how often basic needs are reviewed and whether the process involves resident input, including their willingness to pay higher taxes to support others.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary responded that reviews occur periodically, with the last in August 2022, and focus on ensuring support adequacy without detailing survey methods or tax willingness questions.

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3 Oct 2023

Impact of Deferring Public Transport Fare Increments

The Public Transport Council approved a 7% fare increase for 2023, far below the maximum allowable 22.6% under the fare formula, deferring the remaining 15.6 percentage points to future years while the government provides $300 million in additional subsidies to cover the funding gap.
Officials argued that expunging the deferred fare increases or freezing future fares is not sustainable, as it would require higher permanent government subsidies funded by taxpayers or strain the financial sustainability of transport operators, affecting service reliability.
To ease the impact on vulnerable groups, the government will reduce prices for hybrid monthly concession passes and introduce a new discounted pass for Workfare Transport Concession Scheme users, benefiting about 60,000 commuters, while Public Transport Vouchers will be increased from $30 to $50.

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19 Sep 2023

Profile of Projected Number of Singaporeans Eligible for Retirement Savings Bonus

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked for a breakdown by age bands and gender of Singaporeans projected to be eligible for the Retirement Savings Bonus.
The query seeks specific data on the profile of eligible individuals under the Retirement Savings Bonus scheme.
Tan See Leng, representing MOM and MOF, stated that details of the Majulah Package, including eligibility for the bonus, are still being finalised.
Further information will be announced during Budget 2024, indicating no current figures are available.
The response highlights that the ministries are still working on the specifics before releasing any projections.

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19 Sep 2023

Persons with Disabilities Employed by Small and Medium Enterprises

Ong Hua Han asked for data on persons with disabilities employed by small enterprises with fewer than 25 employees under the Enabling Employment Credit, including numbers from 2020 to 2022, average employment length, and disability group breakdown.
Tan See Leng stated that about 3,000 persons with disabilities were supported annually in 2021 and 2022 by enterprises with fewer than 25 employees under the EEC, representing one-third of all EEC-supported individuals.
The majority of these employees had intellectual or sensory impairments, with others including physical disabilities and autism.
The Ministry does not track the average length of employment for these employees.
The EEC was introduced in 2021, so 2020 data was not available under this scheme.

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19 Sep 2023

Data on Caregiver Grants and CPF Top-ups Received by Stay-at-home Parents

Hazel Poa asked the Ministry for Social and Family Development for data on stay-at-home parents, including how many received caregiver grants and CPF top-ups, and the median CPF top-up amount.
The Minister responded that there is no official definition of stay-at-home parents, and suggested using a proxy of residents not in the labor force due to caring for children under 12.
Data on this proxy group is available in the annual Labour Force in Singapore report from the Ministry of Manpower.
The Government does not have further information on how many of these individuals received caregiver grants or CPF top-ups from loved ones.
No median CPF top-up amount was provided due to the lack of detailed data.

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19 Sep 2023

Support for Social Service Agencies to Increase Number of Special Student Care Centres

The Ministry of Social and Family Development has plans to support Social Service Agencies in increasing the number of Special Student Care Centres (SSCCs) to meet growing demand, especially for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Two new SSCCs with 100 places for children with autism were launched in July this year, and more SSCCs will be set up in tandem with the Ministry of Education’s plans to build more Special Education schools.
The Ministry will continue to engage stakeholders, including parents and caregivers, to improve the accessibility and placement of SSCCs across diverse locations in Singapore.

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19 Sep 2023

Projection of FY2023 Tax Revenue Growth and Impact on Additional Help for Singaporeans to Deal with Inflationary Costs

Mr Ang Wei Neng asked whether the tax revenue growth trend is expected to continue and if the government will provide additional monetary payouts to combat inflation before the next Budget.
The Senior Minister of State for Finance replied that tax revenue growth is linked to GDP and economic recovery post-COVID, but the trend's continuation is uncertain due to global economic uncertainties. The government has enhanced the Assurance Package to $9.6 billion and is studying further enhancements to provide more support.
Mr Ang Wei Neng sought clarification on Q1 FY2023 tax revenue comparisons and whether the enhanced Assurance Package would be in the form of cash or vouchers, noting the economic impact of each.
The Senior Minister of State reiterated that tax collections reflect past economic activity and the global outlook remains challenging. The government is considering how to best enhance the Assurance Package, including the mix of cash, vouchers, and other assistance, to maximize impact.

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19 Sep 2023

Income Criteria for Blue and Orange CHAS Cards in View of Inflation

The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed it regularly reviews CHAS income criteria and subsidy levels, with the last review in 2019, and noted that three in four of the 14,000 appeals for card upgrades over the past two years were successful.
MOH indicated it will consider the MP's suggestions to incorporate inflation or wage indices into future reviews of CHAS income criteria and subsidies, taking into account post-pandemic changes and the holistic circumstances of applicants.
The discussion highlighted that CHAS cardholders will benefit from the Healthier SG Chronic Tier from early next year if they enrol with a Healthier SG GP clinic, which is part of the ongoing healthcare support framework.

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19 Sep 2023

Proposal to Review CPF Withdrawal Limit for Singaporeans who Have Not Met Full Retirement Sums in View of Inflation

Leong Mun Wai proposed increasing the $5,000 CPF withdrawal limit to match inflation, arguing it is too small for Singaporeans to meet aspirations and cope with rising costs.
The Minister for Manpower rejected the increase, stating it would reduce future retirement payouts and that the government’s priority is long-term retirement adequacy through the CPF system.
The Minister emphasized that other government measures, such as the Assurance Package and U-Save rebates, are designed to provide immediate support for cost-of-living pressures instead of altering CPF withdrawal limits.

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19 Sep 2023

Proposal for Age-based Only Benefits Irrespective of Income and Housing Type in Majulah Package

Edward Chia and Denise Phua proposed that the Majulah Package include benefits based solely on age, without considering income or housing type, and the Ministry of Finance will consider these suggestions as it finalizes the package details.
The Majulah Package is designed to support Singapore Citizens born on or before 31 December 1973, focusing on younger seniors with lower incomes and less wealth to boost retirement and healthcare adequacy.
Denise Phua suggested learning from the inclusive design of the Merdeka and Pioneer Packages, which offered broad benefits like cash payouts and health screenings, to make the Majulah Package more comprehensive and age-focused.

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18 Sep 2023

Extension of Earn and Save Bonus Component of Majulah Package to Self-employed Seniors

Murali Pillai asked whether the Earn and Save Bonus will be extended to self-employed seniors and how false claims will be prevented.
Tan See Leng confirmed that details on eligibility are being finalised by the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Finance.
The government will announce more information on the Majulah Package in Budget 2024.

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18 Sep 2023

Applications to Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit Providing Employment-related Support to Persons with Disabilities

The Ministry of Manpower reported that all applications to the Open Door Programme from January 2022 to August 2023 were successful, with around 500 persons with disabilities placed into jobs annually from 2020 to 2022.
The Enabling Employment Credit, which is automatically disbursed, supported about 10,300 persons with disabilities in 2022, an increase from 9,700 in 2021.
Both schemes have been enhanced, with the Open Door Programme improved in 2020 for better training support and the Enabling Employment Credit enhanced in 2023 to strengthen wage support, particularly for those not working for at least six months prior to hire.
The average employment rate for persons with disabilities aged 15 to 64 rose from 29% in 2020-2021 to 31.4% in 2021-2022, and the government will continue reviewing employment support schemes to ensure effectiveness under the Enabling Masterplan 2030.

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18 Sep 2023

Policies to Allow and Enable Persons with Disabilities to Work from Home

Christopher de Souza proposed policies to enable persons with disabilities to work from home, including rights, software and hardware support, and digital literacy training.
Tan See Leng emphasized that flexible work arrangements should be voluntary to avoid affecting employability, but committed to a Tripartite Advisory for workplace accommodations.
Support for remote work includes assistance from SG Enable, a grant covering up to 90% of telecommuting setup costs, and subsidised digital literacy programs.

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18 Sep 2023

Plans to Build More Senior-Friendly Features in Mature HDB Estates and Access to Additional Benefits under EASE 2.0

Members asked about plans for senior-friendly features in mature HDB estates and whether HDB flat owners who previously installed fittings under the original EASE can access new benefits under EASE 2.0.
The government is working across ministries to support ageing-in-place by upgrading HDB homes and precincts with more senior-friendly features.
EASE 2.0 will expand the range of fittings available for seniors, with full details to be announced when ready.

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18 Sep 2023

Adequacy of MediSave Withdrawal Limit for Outpatient Care for Patients with Complex Chronic Conditions

The current MediSave withdrawal limit for outpatient care under the MediSave500/700 scheme allows up to $500 or $700 annually for 23 chronic conditions, with an additional $300 for those aged 60 and above, which MOH states meets the needs of nine in 10 patients.
From early 2024, Healthier SG enrollees can use MediSave to fully cover their chronic condition treatments at Healthier SG clinics without co-payment, and financial assistance is available for those facing difficulties.
MOH regularly reviews the MediSave limits and chronic disease list to balance affordability and preservation of funds, and encourages reporting of cases needing additional assistance.

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18 Sep 2023

Help to Prompt Caregivers of Persons with Disabilities to Apply for Activation of Payouts under CareShield Life and ElderShield Schemes

The Ministry of Health partners with the Silver Generation Office, nursing homes, healthcare institutions, home care providers, and social service agencies to conduct outreach and prompt caregivers to apply for disability payouts under CareShield Life and ElderShield.
Automatic payout disbursement is not implemented to prevent payouts to ineligible individuals, which could raise premiums for all, and checks are maintained through existing outreach and application processes.
Individuals born before 1980 can voluntarily join CareShield Life with incentives, and MOH encourages enrollment while community organizations are asked to support outreach efforts.

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