Forum: Silver Support Scheme targets seniors with lower lifetime earnings
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We refer to the letter “Use CHAS card status as indicator of financial hardship to help seniors” by Mr Chun Shian Chew (March 2).
We thank Mr Chun for his feedback on how the Silver Support Scheme (SSS) can support seniors with lower retirement incomes.
Singapore has a comprehensive social support system. It comprises broad-based and targeted support measures to assist Singaporean seniors with their healthcare, retirement and housing needs, with more help offered to those who need greater assistance. As different schemes may be intended to serve different objectives and population segments, there may be differences in their respective eligibility criteria.
For Singaporeans who need help with healthcare costs, regardless of age, the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) enables them to receive subsidies for preventive, medical and/or dental care at participating general practitioner and dental clinics.
The SSS is a targeted support measure which provides a quarterly cash supplement to eligible Singaporean seniors aged 65 and above, who had lower incomes during their working years and now have little or no family support and resources in their retirement. This is why the scheme is targeted at seniors with a total CPF contribution of $140,000 and who own only a four-room or smaller HDB flat, among other eligibility criteria.
Seniors facing unique circumstances can appeal to the CPF Board. We will consider all appeals holistically on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances.
We have also progressively strengthened the CPF system to improve retirement adequacy, including through schemes like the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme and Matched Retirement Savings Scheme. The Government complements these measures with additional ad-hoc support such as the one-off cash payments for eligible Singaporeans, CDC Vouchers for all Singaporean households, and additional U-Save for eligible HDB households announced at Budget 2026.
Seniors facing immediate financial hardship can consider seeking financial assistance from their nearest Social Service Office, which can advise them accordingly.
We are committed in supporting our vulnerable seniors and will take Mr Chun’s feedback into consideration.
Lum Pooi-Fun
Director, Income Security Policy Division
Ministry of Manpower
