This article was written in collaboration with Singlife. All views expressed in this article are the independent opinion of DollarsAndSense.sg based on our research, are purely for informational purposes, and should not be relied upon as financial advice. DollarsAndSense.sg is not liable for any financial losses that may arise from any transactions, and readers are encouraged to do their own due diligence. You can view our full editorial policy here.
When Singaporeans turn 30, they are automatically enrolled in CareShield Life. Launched by the government in 2020, CareShield Life is a national long-term care insurance scheme – providing basic financial support for severe disability.
Severe disability is defined as being unable to carry out at least 3 of the 6 activities of daily living (ADLs). These are: washing, dressing, feeding, toileting, moving around, and transferring from a bed to a chair and vice versa. To qualify for CareShield Life payouts, you need to meet the definition of severe disability.
Source: Singlife
For those young and healthy, it’s easy to assume that you do not need coverage for long-term care. But, according to a 2019 study, 1 in 6 Singaporeans aged 55 and above will have at least 1 ADL disability in 2050. That’s 1 in 6 Singaporeans aged 30 and above today.
According to a new Singlife white paper on long-term care, their claims data shows that stroke is the leading cause of long-term care insurance claims, making up 50% of claims. Their youngest claimant for a stroke-related condition was just 33 years old while the longest claimant has been receiving payouts for 15 years and counting. Additionally, the average duration of long-term care needed for severe disability is 10 years.
Source: Singlife
CareShield Life Payouts May Not Fully Cover The Cost Of Long-Term Care
In 2025, CareShield Life payouts are currently about $662 per month. While this payout offers a valuable lifeline for those who suddenly become severely disabled, it may not be enough to cover their monthly expenses.
According to a Singlife survey, the total average cost of long-term care in 2024 was $2,952 per month, increasing at about 4% per year from $2,324 per month in 2018. These include ongoing expenses such as medication, specialised transportation, and personal care services.
Source: Singlife
Based on the expected cost of long-term care, it’s important to start financial planning earlier in life so that you will have enough savings should something unexpected happen to you or your loved ones.
Living with disabilities can be tough, not just for the individual but also for caregivers. Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) report showed that for those with physical disabilities, the main caregiver is usually their spouse or child. Good financial planning will allow you to be as self-sufficient as possible, so that the financial burden of care doesn’t also fall on your caregiver, on top of the emotional and mental cost of caregiving.
As young parents in the sandwiched generation, this burden may feel particularly heavy, as we try to look after our spouse and children as best as we can, while not forgetting the needs of our ageing parents. Should something happen to us, we want to make sure that our loved ones who are depending on us for their daily living expenses are also well looked after.
Read Also: Grants; Subsidies; And Self-Care: Guide To Being A First-Time Caregiver In Singapore
Complementing Mandatory Coverage With CareShield Life Supplementary Plans
That is why supplementing CareShield Life payouts with additional disability insurance can be so important. For example, Singlife CareShield Standard and CareShield Plus plans can provide more comprehensive disability support; yet, according to the Singlife Long-Term Care White Paper only one in three Singaporeans aged 30 and above has bought a supplementary plan.
Not only do these plans give you additional support when you’re severely disabled, but with Singlife CareShield Plus you can also start receiving Severe Disability Benefit payouts even before you qualify for CareShield Life’s payouts. That’s because Singlife CareShield Plus starts paying out once you’re unable to perform 1 ADLs.
Singlife’s CareShield Life supplement plans also include four additional benefits that are truly helpful for young parents with severe disabilities.
#1 Caregiver Relief Benefit
Singlife CareShield Standard and Plus pay out an additional 60% of the Severe Disability Benefit for up to 12 months as a Caregiver Relief Benefit. This is especially useful should the caregiver, who often tends to be the spouse or adult child, need to take unpaid leave from work in the initial months, when lifestyles often change most drastically. A Duke-NUS Medical School study found that primary informal caregivers spend an average of 33 hours a week providing care – equivalent to a four-day work week – while secondary caregivers contribute another eight hours a week.
It can also help to fund the cost of hiring an additional caregiver or turning to caregiving services.
#2 Dependant Care Benefit
Singlife CareShield Standard and Plus plans pay out an additional 20% of the Severe Disability Benefit for up to 36 months as a Dependant Care Benefit if a disabled individual has children under 22 years of age.
This will further help alleviate the financial burden of the disability on the family. In the event of severe disability, you may need additional help in the short-term to care for your children as they adjust to the new situation.
#3 Additional Lump-Sum Benefit
Singlife CareShield Standard and Plus also provide a one-time Lump Sum Benefit, equivalent to three times the first monthly payout of the Severe Disability Benefit. This upfront payment can help cover immediate expenses that often arise when severe disability first occurs – such as medical equipment, home modifications (like installing grab bars or ramps), or initial caregiving arrangements. Having this lump sum on hand gives families the flexibility to manage urgent costs without dipping into savings or scrambling for funds at a critical time.
#4 Support for your care journey
Customers and their loved ones can get help navigating long-term care through Singlife Care Collab, a one-stop health services hub that gives convenient access to preventive care, long-term care and other services with a wide range of trusted healthcare providers. Among the list of current providers are the Agency for Integrated Care, SG Assist, Homage and Singapore National Stroke Association.
Saving Even More On The Cost of Long-Term Care
In addition to the 4 Benefits we singled out above, both of Singlife CareShield Standard and Plus provide a waiver relief, which means you will not need to pay the policy premiums if you’re unable to perform at least 1 of the 6 ADLs.
Paying For Long-Term Care Insurance
Premiums for both Singlife CareShield Standard and Plus plans can be paid by MediSave or cash. You can withdraw up to $600 per calendar year from your MediSave account to pay the premiums. Customers who sign up for Singlife CareShield Standard or Singlife CareShield Plus and have an annual premium of at least $500 will qualify for a 20% lifetime premium discount.
Contact Singlife to get a quote for their CareShield Life supplement plans, or to get more information.
T&Cs apply. These policies are underwritten by Singapore Life Ltd. This material is published for general information only and does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person. Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of Singapore Life Ltd or its related corporation (where applicable) (collectively, the “Singlife Group”). The Singlife Group does not endorse any views, thoughts, or opinions expressed here and is not responsible for the contents here. You should read the Product Summary and seek advice from a financial adviser representative before making a commitment to purchase the product.
Buying a health insurance policy that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs. You need to have a CareShield Life (CSHL) or ElderShield (ESH) policy before you purchase Singlife CareShield Standard or Singlife CareShield Plus (“Supplements”). Supplements purchases by CSHL policyholders are regulated under the CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Act. Supplements purchased by ESH policyholders before the transfer of ESH to Government administration are considered ESH Supplements, which are regulated under the Central Provident Fund (Withdrawals for ElderShield Scheme) Regulations. After the transfer, they are considered CSHL Supplements, regulated under the CareShield Life and Long-term Care Act. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. Information is accurate as at 10 September 2025.
