Government long-term care insurance paying lifetime monthly cash payouts if you become severely disabled (cannot do ≥ 3 Activities of Daily Living).
CareShield Life is Singapore's national long-term care insurance scheme. It pays lifetime monthly cash payouts if you become severely disabled — defined as being unable to perform 3 or more of the 6 Activities of Daily Living (washing, dressing, feeding, toileting, mobility, transferring).
Launched in 2020, CareShield Life replaced and improved on the older ElderShield scheme. Coverage is universal for Singapore Citizens and PRs born in 1980 or later (and optional for those born earlier).
Monthly payout: starts at S$612/month (2025 figure) and increases each year by 2% to keep pace with inflation, up until age 67.
Paid for life — there's no payout cap.
Trigger: severe disability certified by an MOH-accredited assessor (typically losing the ability to do 3 of 6 ADLs).
Premiums start at around S$200 / year at age 30 and rise gradually with age. Premiums stop being charged once you turn 67 — coverage continues for life regardless.
Premiums are payable entirely from MediSave.
Subsidies of 20% – 30% for Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, and lower-income households.
CareShield Life base payouts cover essentials but not full care costs. A live-in caregiver in Singapore typically costs S$700 – S$1,500 / month; a nursing home is S$2,000 – S$5,000 / month.
Three insurers offer approved supplements: Singlife, NTUC Income, Great Eastern. Supplements increase your monthly payout (often to S$1,000 – S$2,500), some pay for milder disability (loss of 2 ADLs), and some offer lump-sum payouts.
Premiums for supplements can also be paid from MediSave (subject to an annual cap).
Singapore's universal long-term care insurance scheme. Pays a lifetime monthly cash payout if you become severely disabled — defined as being unable to perform 3 or more of the 6 Activities of Daily Living. Compulsory for Citizens and PRs born in 1980 or later.
Starts at S$612/month in 2025 and increases 2% each year (compounded) until age 67. Paid for life once you qualify, with no payout cap. Suitable as a baseline; for fuller care coverage, supplement with private long-term care insurance.
The 6 ADLs are washing, dressing, feeding, toileting, mobility (walking or moving around), and transferring (e.g. moving from bed to chair). You qualify for CareShield Life payout when you can't perform 3 or more, certified by an MOH-accredited assessor.
Yes. Premiums (around S$200/year at age 30, scaling with age) can be paid entirely from MediSave. Premiums stop at age 67 — coverage continues for life regardless.