ssa-gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2018-2019/asia/singapore.html
2025-02-19 12:17:21 -08:00

264 lines
No EOL
38 KiB
HTML

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en" class="no-js">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8" />
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
<title>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2018 - Singapore</title>
<meta name="DCTERMS:dateCreated" content="2019-03" />
<meta name="DCTERMS:contentOffice" content="ORDP:ORES" />
<meta name="DCTERMS:contentOwner" content="publications@ssa.gov" />
<meta name="DCTERMS:coderOffice" content="ORDP:ORES:OD" />
<meta name="DCTERMS:coder" content="op.webmaster@ssa.gov" />
<meta name="DCTERMS:dateCertified" content="2025-01-01" />
<meta name="description" content="Social Security Administration Research, Statistics, and Policy Analysis" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="Social Security Administration Research, Statistics, and Policy Analysis"/>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/policy/styles/doc.css" />
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/policy/styles/global.css" />
<!-- SSA INTERNET HEAD SCRIPTS -->
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.7.1.min.js" integrity="sha256-/JqT3SQfawRcv/BIHPThkBvs0OEvtFFmqPF/lYI/Cxo=" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<script src="/framework/js/ssa.internet.head.js"></script>
<script>(window.BOOMR_mq=window.BOOMR_mq||[]).push(["addVar",{"rua.upush":"false","rua.cpush":"false","rua.upre":"false","rua.cpre":"false","rua.uprl":"false","rua.cprl":"false","rua.cprf":"false","rua.trans":"SJ-3a3bb884-f513-47e3-a86c-84bab05e21dc","rua.cook":"true","rua.ims":"false","rua.ufprl":"false","rua.cfprl":"false","rua.isuxp":"false","rua.texp":"norulematch","rua.ceh":"false","rua.ueh":"false","rua.ieh.st":"0"}]);</script>
<script>!function(e){var n="https://s.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/";if("False"=="True")e.BOOMR_config=e.BOOMR_config||{},e.BOOMR_config.PageParams=e.BOOMR_config.PageParams||{},e.BOOMR_config.PageParams.pci=!0,n="https://s2.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/";if(window.BOOMR_API_key="LERZW-HECFS-R8H4E-23UQ7-ERMQB",function(){function e(){if(!o){var e=document.createElement("script");e.id="boomr-scr-as",e.src=window.BOOMR.url,e.async=!0,i.parentNode.appendChild(e),o=!0}}function t(e){o=!0;var n,t,a,r,d=document,O=window;if(window.BOOMR.snippetMethod=e?"if":"i",t=function(e,n){var t=d.createElement("script");t.id=n||"boomr-if-as",t.src=window.BOOMR.url,BOOMR_lstart=(new Date).getTime(),e=e||d.body,e.appendChild(t)},!window.addEventListener&&window.attachEvent&&navigator.userAgent.match(/MSIE [67]\./))return window.BOOMR.snippetMethod="s",void t(i.parentNode,"boomr-async");a=document.createElement("IFRAME"),a.src="about:blank",a.title="",a.role="presentation",a.loading="eager",r=(a.frameElement||a).style,r.width=0,r.height=0,r.border=0,r.display="none",i.parentNode.appendChild(a);try{O=a.contentWindow,d=O.document.open()}catch(_){n=document.domain,a.src="javascript:var d=document.open();d.domain='"+n+"';void(0);",O=a.contentWindow,d=O.document.open()}if(n)d._boomrl=function(){this.domain=n,t()},d.write("<bo"+"dy onload='document._boomrl();'>");else if(O._boomrl=function(){t()},O.addEventListener)O.addEventListener("load",O._boomrl,!1);else if(O.attachEvent)O.attachEvent("onload",O._boomrl);d.close()}function a(e){window.BOOMR_onload=e&&e.timeStamp||(new Date).getTime()}if(!window.BOOMR||!window.BOOMR.version&&!window.BOOMR.snippetExecuted){window.BOOMR=window.BOOMR||{},window.BOOMR.snippetStart=(new Date).getTime(),window.BOOMR.snippetExecuted=!0,window.BOOMR.snippetVersion=12,window.BOOMR.url=n+"LERZW-HECFS-R8H4E-23UQ7-ERMQB";var i=document.currentScript||document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0],o=!1,r=document.createElement("link");if(r.relList&&"function"==typeof r.relList.supports&&r.relList.supports("preload")&&"as"in r)window.BOOMR.snippetMethod="p",r.href=window.BOOMR.url,r.rel="preload",r.as="script",r.addEventListener("load",e),r.addEventListener("error",function(){t(!0)}),setTimeout(function(){if(!o)t(!0)},3e3),BOOMR_lstart=(new Date).getTime(),i.parentNode.appendChild(r);else t(!1);if(window.addEventListener)window.addEventListener("load",a,!1);else if(window.attachEvent)window.attachEvent("onload",a)}}(),"".length>0)if(e&&"performance"in e&&e.performance&&"function"==typeof e.performance.setResourceTimingBufferSize)e.performance.setResourceTimingBufferSize();!function(){if(BOOMR=e.BOOMR||{},BOOMR.plugins=BOOMR.plugins||{},!BOOMR.plugins.AK){var n="false"=="true"?1:0,t="cookiepresent",a="eyd7g6aaiaaamjqacqdfqaaaabt3mosd-f-0bb4172e4-clienttons-s.akamaihd.net",i="false"=="true"?2:1,o={"ak.v":"39","ak.cp":"1204614","ak.ai":parseInt("728289",10),"ak.ol":"0","ak.cr":3,"ak.ipv":6,"ak.proto":"h2","ak.rid":"954ada7","ak.r":19138,"ak.a2":n,"ak.m":"dsca","ak.n":"essl","ak.bpcip":"2607:f378:40:6::","ak.cport":40604,"ak.gh":"23.60.168.61","ak.quicv":"","ak.tlsv":"tls1.3","ak.0rtt":"","ak.0rtt.ed":"","ak.csrc":"-","ak.acc":"","ak.t":"1739995715","ak.ak":"hOBiQwZUYzCg5VSAfCLimQ==nmQIbkRAYHsB7vu7Jtpy4aTEaSqLLpDGICjct1yVMWvv4yEX51qaPSxbNEQPcyi6ha3/qPFPZAArSjC3Kqv4Ht2MT8/NsNeLsuWKSr5Hcqw9XMe+VMqHpEF82TD6XL0cemqL12wSsjwbbJwO/anSi5VNFU/q3nR0BR73/s0ueOLs25ER2XtV/mU81BeNgZBJa/KFRXhcpWJPkM/4tHxjHHTE/RdP8sqqus/fdG2lSY4kpJicM6Az0+ZvHmzlq+Bt9+0FqgUaSJj5fuTTsey7fzA+9VuUW+mEccTQUtwA61Q1OFjw1KNXySnWuKxqL2GXwHYdtE2jKAlczNlsDuIj8lXEGViaTGnoQY0A+vhtptmvjE4JJaGUckcN6lgDQfZCx7h5Tw4z/vB3mvC2obFVwF/5o5n7VvIERxITVT8hEQA=","ak.pv":"98","ak.dpoabenc":"","ak.tf":i};if(""!==t)o["ak.ruds"]=t;var r={i:!1,av:function(n){var t="http.initiator";if(n&&(!n[t]||"spa_hard"===n[t]))o["ak.feo"]=void 0!==e.aFeoApplied?1:0,BOOMR.addVar(o)},rv:function(){var e=["ak.bpcip","ak.cport","ak.cr","ak.csrc","ak.gh","ak.ipv","ak.m","ak.n","ak.ol","ak.proto","ak.quicv","ak.tlsv","ak.0rtt","ak.0rtt.ed","ak.r","ak.acc","ak.t","ak.tf"];BOOMR.removeVar(e)}};BOOMR.plugins.AK={akVars:o,akDNSPreFetchDomain:a,init:function(){if(!r.i){var e=BOOMR.subscribe;e("before_beacon",r.av,null,null),e("onbeacon",r.rv,null,null),r.i=!0}return this},is_complete:function(){return!0}}}}()}(window);</script></head>
<body class="ssptw">
<article>
<header>
<div id="hLogo"><a class="navLogo" href="/policy/index.html">Social Security</a><a class="navSearch" href="https://search.ssa.gov/search?affiliate=ssa">SEARCH</a></div>
<div id="hRedBar">
<div id="hDocInfo">
<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2018</h1>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<nav>
<div id="breadcrumbs" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList">You are here: <span itemprop="itemListElement" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"><a href="/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Social Security Administration</span></a>
<meta itemprop="position" content="1" />
</span> &gt; <span itemprop="itemListElement" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"><a href="/policy/index.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Research, Statistics &amp; Policy Analysis</span></a>
<meta itemprop="position" content="2" />
</span> &gt; <span itemprop="itemListElement" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"><a href="index.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2018</span></a>
<meta itemprop="position" content="3" />
</span></div>
<div id="rspaUtil"><ul><li id="mail"><a class="js-ga-event" href="#" rel="nofollow" data-event="outbound-link" data-event-action="click" data-event-label="email-this">Email</a></li><li id="print"><a href="#" rel="nofollow">Save/Print</a></li></ul></div>
</nav>
<div class="innards">
<h1>Singapore</h1>
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: <abbr class="spell">US</abbr>$1.00&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.36 Singapore dollars (S$).</div>
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1953 (provident fund), implemented in 1955.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 2001 (provident fund) and 2015 (income support program).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Provident fund and social assistance system.</p>
<p>Note: Central Provident Fund (<abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr>) provides four types of individual accounts for each member: an Ordinary Account (<abbr class="spell">OA</abbr>) to finance the purchase of a home, approved investments, life and mortgage insurance, and education; a Special Account (<abbr class="spell">SA</abbr>), principally for retirement (may invest in retirement-related financial products); a MediSave account (<abbr class="spell">MA</abbr>) for certain hospitalization and medical expenses (see Sickness and Maternity); and a Retirement Account (<abbr class="spell">RA</abbr>) set up at age&nbsp;55 to finance monthly payments at retirement.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Provident fund:</span> Employed persons, including most categories of public-sector employees; and self-employed persons with annual net income greater than S$6,000 (MA only).</p>
<p>Voluntary coverage for persons without mandatory coverage.</p>
<p>Special system for certain categories of public-sector employees, including administrative service staff.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Social assistance (Silver Support Scheme):</span> Needy, elderly citizens of Singapore.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Provident fund:</span> 20% of monthly earnings of at least S$750 if younger than age&nbsp;56, 13% if aged&nbsp;56 to 60, 7.5% if aged&nbsp;61 to 65, or 5% if aged&nbsp;66 or older. Insured persons earning at least S$500 but less than S$750 a month pay a flat monthly amount depending on age and earnings. Contribution rates are reduced for pensioners.</p>
<p>An additional monthly premium, which varies by age, is paid for coverage under the Dependants' Protection Scheme (<abbr class="spell">DPS</abbr>). The premium ranges from S$36 (if younger than age&nbsp;35) to S$260 (if aged&nbsp;55 to 59). Premiums can be paid using the balance in the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr> or <abbr class="spell">SA</abbr>.</p>
<p>The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are S$500.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are S$6,000.</p>
<p>Of the combined insured person and employer contribution, 1% to 23% is allocated to the OA, 1% to 11.5% to the SA, and 8% to 10.5% to the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr>, depending on age, for insured persons with monthly earnings of at least S$750. The <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> covers the cost of hospitalization and medical expenses (see Sickness and Maternity). Funds from the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr> and the <abbr class="spell">SA</abbr> are transferred to the <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> at age&nbsp;55, up to a certain amount.</p>
<p>The maximum annual combined insured person and employer contribution is S$37,740.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Provident fund:</span> 4% to 10.5% (depending on age, earnings, and whether or not the self-employed person is a pensioner) of annual net trade income to the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> only. (Contribution rates for older insured persons, persons with higher annual net trade income, and nonpensioners are higher).</p>
<p>The maximum mandatory annual contribution to the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> is S$5,760 to S$7,560, depending on age, earnings, and whether or not the self-employed person is a pensioner.</p>
<p>Self-employed persons can make voluntary contributions to the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr> and <abbr class="spell">SA</abbr>.</p>
<p>An additional monthly premium, which varies by age, is paid for coverage under the Dependants' Protection Scheme (<abbr class="spell">DPS</abbr>). The premium ranges from S$36 (if younger than age&nbsp;35) to S$260 (if aged&nbsp;55 to 59). Premiums can be paid using the balance in the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr> or <abbr class="spell">SA</abbr>.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Provident fund:</span> 17% of monthly payroll greater than S$50 for employees aged&nbsp;55 or younger, 13% for employees aged&nbsp;56 to 60, 9% for employees aged&nbsp;61 to 65, or 7.5% for employees aged&nbsp;66 or older. Contribution rates are reduced for pensioners.</p>
<p>The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are S$50.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are S$6,000.</p>
<p>Of the combined insured person and employer contribution, 1% to 23% is allocated to the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr>. 1% to 11.5% to the <abbr class="spell">SA</abbr>, and 8% to 10.5% to the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr>, depending on age for insured persons with monthly earnings of at least S$750. Funds from the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr> and the <abbr class="spell">SA</abbr> are transferred to the <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> at age&nbsp;55, up to a certain limit.</p>
<p>The maximum annual combined insured person and employer contribution is S$37,740.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Provident fund:</span> Contributes as an employer for most categories of public-sector workers.</p>
<p>Under the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme (see Family Allowances), subsidizes 60% of up to S$3,600 a year, depending on the insured person's age and income, to the <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> accounts of lower-wage employees aged&nbsp;35 or older (aged&nbsp;13 or older if disabled) with gross monthly income up to S$2,000 (and gross average monthly income up to S$2,000 in the last 12&nbsp;months for employees); 90% of up to S$2,400 a year, depending on the insured person's age and income, to the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> of lower-wage self-employed persons; and tops up <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> accounts for insured persons on an ad&nbsp;hoc basis.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance:</span> The total cost.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age benefit (provident fund)</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Ordinary Account:</span> Funds can be withdrawn at age&nbsp;55, subject to certain conditions; at any age if the fund member is assessed with a serious medical condition or permanently leaves Singapore and West Malaysia.</p>
<p>Drawdown payment: Funds can be withdrawn before age&nbsp;55 to purchase a home or insurance <span class="nobr">(term-life</span> insurance scheme and a mortgage-reducing insurance program run by the <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> Board) or to pay for <span class="nobr">full-time</span> tertiary education at approved local institutions for the fund member, his or her spouse or children. Funds over S$20,000 can be withdrawn to make investments in approved instruments.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Special Account:</span> Funds can be withdrawn at age&nbsp;55, subject to certain conditions; at any age if the fund member has a serious medical condition or permanently leaves Singapore and West Malaysia.</p>
<p>Early withdrawal: Funds over S$40,000 can be withdrawn before age&nbsp;55 to make investments in approved instruments.</p>
<p><span class="h5">MediSave Account:</span> Funds can be partially withdrawn to pay for costs related to hospitalization, certain outpatient expenses, and healthcare insurance premiums. See Sickness and Maternity.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Retirement Account:</span> Funds can be partially withdrawn at age&nbsp;55, subject to certain conditions, or at any age if the fund member has a serious medical condition or permanently leaves Singapore and West Malaysia.</p>
<p>Fund members with at least S$60,000 in the RA at age&nbsp;65 are automatically enrolled in a life annuity program from the <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> Board (<abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> Lifelong Income For the Elderly [<abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> LIFE]). (Enrolment is voluntary for fund members with less than this amount.)</p>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age benefit (Silver Support Scheme, social assistance, income tested):</span> Age&nbsp;65 with total <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> contributions of up to S$70,000 by age&nbsp;55 and household per capita monthly income of up to S$1,100. Self-employed persons must have an average annual net trade income of up to S$22,800 from age&nbsp;45 to 54. Must live in public housing with less than seven rooms and must not own or be married to someone who owns a property with five or more rooms.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Disability benefit (Dependents' Protection Scheme, provident fund):</span> Must be aged&nbsp;21 to 60 and diagnosed with a serious medical condition, assessed with a permanent total incapacity for any work, or terminally ill.</p>
<p>The disability is assessed either by a registered doctor in any government hospital or by the Central Provident Fund Board's panel of doctors.</p>
<p>Fund members may opt out.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor benefit (provident fund):</span> Paid to one or more named survivors.</p>
<h3>Old-Age Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age benefit (provident fund)</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Ordinary and Special accounts:</span> A lump sum is paid of the account balance exceeding the minimum required balance in the <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr>, or S$5,000, whichever is greater.</p>
<p>The minimum required balance in the <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> varies depending on the age at which the insured reached age&nbsp;55: from S$80,000 (if reaching age&nbsp;55 from July&nbsp;1, 2003 to June&nbsp;30, 2004) to S$171,000 (if reaching age&nbsp;55 from January&nbsp;1, 2018 to December&nbsp;31, 2018).</p>
<p>Interest rate: The interest rate on the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr> is 2.5% or the average interest rate of major local banks over the last three months, whichever is higher. The interest rate on the <abbr class="spell">SA</abbr>, <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr>, and <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> is based on the current floor interest rate of 4% or the <span class="nobr">12-month</span> average yield of the <span class="nobr">10-year</span> Singapore Government Securities plus 1%, whichever is higher. The first S$60,000 of a member's combined savings (including up to S$20,000 from the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr>) earns an additional 1% a year. Members aged&nbsp;55 or older will also earn an additional 1% extra interest on the first S$30,000 of their combined savings (with up to S$20,000 from the <abbr class="spell">OA</abbr>). The <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> Board guarantees a legislated minimum interest rate of 2.5% a year on all accounts. Interest is computed monthly and compounded and credited annually.</p>
<p><span class="h5">MediSave Account:</span> See Sickness and Maternity.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Retirement Account:</span> Funds can be withdrawn to buy a life annuity from the <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> Board or approved insurers. Members with at least S$60,000 in their <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> at age&nbsp;65 must purchase the life annuity provided by the <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> Board (<abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> LIFE). Up to half the minimum required balance in the <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> can be withdrawn.</p>
<p>The minimum required balance in the <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> varies based on the age at which the insured reached age&nbsp;55: from S$80,000 (if reaching age&nbsp;55 from July&nbsp;1, 2003 to June&nbsp;30, 2004) to S$171,000 (if reaching age&nbsp;55 from January&nbsp;1, 2018 to December&nbsp;31, 2018).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age benefit (Silver Support Scheme, social assistance, income tested):</span> S$300 to S$750 a quarter is paid, depending on the beneficiary's place of residence.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Disability benefit (Dependents' Protection Scheme, provident fund):</span> Fund members are paid a lump sum of up to S$5,000 or the amount of the <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> balance exceeding a pro-rated minimum balance, whichever is greater.</p>
<p>A monthly benefit of the remaining balance in the <abbr class="spell">RA</abbr> is also paid.</p>
<p>The maximum combined disability benefit is S$46,000.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor benefit (provident fund, all accounts):</span> The benefit is the remaining balances in the deceased's accounts, any <span class="nobr">term-life</span> insurance payouts, and any death benefit from the <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> LIFE annuity scheme.</p>
<p>The fund member determines the proportion of benefit that different survivors receive. If there are no named survivors, the benefit is distributed by the Public Trustee according to law.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Manpower (<a href="https://www.mom.gov.sg/">https://www.mom.gov.sg/</a>) provides policy supervision through its Income Security Policy Division.</p>
<p>Central Provident Fund Board (<a href="https://www.cpf.gov.sg/">https://www.cpf.gov.sg/</a>), managed by a tripartite board and a chairman, administers the programs, including the custody of the fund, collection of contributions, and payment of benefits.</p>
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First laws:</span> 1953 (provident fund), implemented in 1955; 1968 (employment); and 1993 (medical endowment scheme).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 2000 (medical and elderly care), 2001 (provident fund), 2001 (child development co-savings), 2009 (employment), and 2015 (medical benefits).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance (medical benefits), provident fund (medical benefits), employer-liability (cash sickness and maternity benefits), employment-related (cash maternity benefit), and social assistance (medical benefits) system.</p>
<p>Note: Provident fund members have a MediSave account to pay for hospital treatment, selected outpatient medical treatment, and approved medical insurance.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Social insurance (MediShield Life, medical benefits):</span> Citizens and permanent residents of Singapore.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Provident fund (MediSave, medical benefits):</span> See coverage under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer liability (cash sickness and maternity benefits):</span> Employed persons.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Self-employed persons.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employment-related (cash maternity benefit):</span> Employed and self-employed persons.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Social assistance (MediFund, medical benefits):</span> Needy citizens of Singapore.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Social insurance (MediShield Life, medical benefits):</span> An annual premium that varies depending on age and whether the insured is assessed with certain pre-existing conditions. Premiums can be paid in cash or using the balance in the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> provident fund account (see source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Provident fund (MediSave, medical benefits):</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employer liability (cash sickness and maternity benefits):</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employment-related (cash maternity benefit):</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance (MediFund, medical benefits):</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Social insurance (MediShield Life, medical benefits):</span> An annual premium that varies depending on age and whether the insured is assessed with certain pre-existing conditions. Premiums can be paid in cash or using the balance in the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> (see source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Provident fund (MediSave, medical benefits):</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employer liability (cash sickness and maternity benefits):</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employment-related (cash maternity benefit):</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance (MediFund, medical benefits):</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Social insurance (MediShield Life, medical benefits):</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Provident fund (MediSave, medical benefits):</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors. </p>
<p><span class="h5">Employer liability (cash sickness and maternity benefits):</span> The total cost.</p>
<p>Employers can seek a tax exemption for the two types of benefits (above) for medical expenses incurred up to a certain percentage of their wage costs.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employment-related (cash maternity benefit):</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance (MediFund, medical benefits):</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Social insurance (MediShield Life, medical benefits):</span> Provides means-tested premium subsidies.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Provident fund (MediSave, medical benefits):</span> Contributes as an employer. Opens and credits a certain amount to a <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> for newborn Singaporean citizens under the MediSave Grants for Newborns program. Provides regular and <span class="nobr">ad-hoc</span> top-ups to the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> of certain groups of Singaporean citizens including low-income and elderly persons.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employer liability (cash sickness and maternity benefits):</span> Contributes as an employer.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employment-related (cash maternity benefit):</span> The total cost.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Social assistance (MediFund, medical benefits):</span> Finances all or part of the cost of treatment in approved publicly funded institutions.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness benefit (employer liability):</span> Must have at least three months of employment. A registered doctor must provide medical certification.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Cash maternity benefit (employer liability and employment-related):</span> Must have at least three months of employment or self-employment immediately before childbirth and be married to the child's father.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits (MediShield Life, social insurance):</span> There is no minimum qualifying period.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits (MediSave, provident fund):</span> There is no minimum qualifying period. Withdrawal limits apply.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits (MediFund, social assistance, means tested):</span> Must satisfy a means test.</p>
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Sickness benefit (employer liability):</span> 100% of the employee's gross wages is paid for up to 14&nbsp;days a year (up to 60&nbsp;days if hospitalized).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity benefit (employer liability and employment-related):</span> 100% of the employee's gross wages is paid for up to 16&nbsp;weeks. For the first and second child, the employer pays for the first eight weeks and the government pays thereafter; for each subsequent child, the government pays for all 16&nbsp;weeks.</p>
<p>The maximum maternity benefit is S$10,000 for each <span class="nobr">four-week</span> period.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits (MediShield Life, social insurance):</span> Benefits include inpatient care, outpatient treatment, and prescribed medicine in approved hospitals and medical institutions after deduction of subsidies for citizens and permanent residents, subject to claim limits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits (MediSave, provident fund):</span> Funds can be withdrawn from the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> for medical treatments and to purchase MediShield Life and ElderShield, a severe disability <span class="nobr">long-term</span> care insurance plan, or ElderShield Supplements for a member or his or her dependents, subject to limits. Fund members may also use the <abbr class="spell">MA</abbr> to purchase Integrated Shield Plans from private insurers or withdraw funds to pay for childbirth and maternity care expenses.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits (MediFund, social assistance):</span> Provides financial aid for medical treatment in public healthcare institutions. The amount of financial aid provided depends on individual circumstances.</p>
<p>Discretionary subsidies are also available at approved intermediate and <span class="nobr">long-term</span> care institutions.</p>
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Medical benefits for dependents are the same as those for the insured.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Manpower (<a href="https://www.mom.gov.sg/">https://www.mom.gov.sg/</a>) provides general supervision for the employer-liability and programs and enforces the law through its Labour Relations and Workplaces Division.</p>
<p>Ministry of Manpower (<a href="https://www.mom.gov.sg/">https://www.mom.gov.sg/</a>) provides policy supervision for the provident fund program through its Income Security Policy Division.</p>
<p>Central Provident Fund Board (<a href="https://www.cpf.gov.sg/">https://www.cpf.gov.sg/</a>), managed by a tripartite board and a chairman, administers the provident fund program, including custody of the fund, collection of contributions, and payment of benefits, in accordance with the Central Provident Fund Act and relevant subsidiary legislation.</p>
<p>Ministry of Health (<a href="https://www.moh.gov.sg/">https://www.moh.gov.sg/</a>) regulates medical services provided by government hospitals and private providers. It also oversees the funding of the healthcare sector, subsidies, and MediFund, and provides policy direction for MediSave, MediShield Life, and ElderShield.</p>
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1933 (workmen's compensation).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 2009 (work injury compensation).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Employer-liability system through a private carrier.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Manual employees (regardless of earnings) and non-manual employees with monthly earnings of S$1,600 or less (unless exempt).</p>
<p>The Ministry of Manpower may waive the compulsory insurance requirement for any employer or class of employers.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Self-employed persons, household workers, military, police, civil defense force, central narcotics bureau, and prison service personnel.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> The total cost (provides benefits directly to employees or pays insurance premiums).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> None; contributes as an employer.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p>Must be assessed with a work injury or occupational disease. There is no minimum qualifying period, but claims must be made within one year of the date of the accident or when the disability began.</p>
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>100% of the insured's average monthly earnings in the 12&nbsp;months before the disability began is paid for up to 14&nbsp;days if not hospitalized (up to 60&nbsp;days if hospitalized). Thereafter, 66.7% of the insured's average monthly earnings in the 12&nbsp;months before the disability began is paid.</p>
<p>The benefit is paid from the first day of incapacity for the duration of incapacity, up to one year.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability benefit:</span> For an assessed total (100%) disability, a lump sum is paid that varies depending on the insured's age when the disability began and the average monthly earnings in the 12&nbsp;months before the disability began.</p>
<p>The lump sum ranges from 72&nbsp;times the insured's average monthly earnings in the 12&nbsp;months before the disability began (if aged&nbsp;66 or older) to 181&nbsp;times the insured's average monthly earnings in the 12&nbsp;months before the disability began (if aged&nbsp;14 or younger).</p>
<p>The minimum permanent disability benefit is S$88,000.</p>
<p>The maximum permanent disability benefit is S$262,000.</p>
<p>Partial disability: For an assessed degree of disability of less than 100%, a percentage of the full permanent disability benefit is paid based on the assessed degree of disability and a schedule in law.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Additional disability benefit:</span> If the insured is assessed with a total (100%) disability, an additional 25% of the permanent disability benefit is paid. A registered doctor must provide medical certification.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Treatment at approved hospitals is provided.</p>
<p>The employer pays for medical expenses up to a maximum amount of S$36,000 or for up to one year after the date of the accident, whichever occurs first.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p>A lump sum, which varies depending on the insured's age at the time of death and average monthly earnings, is split among eligible survivors.</p>
<p>The lump sum ranges from 48&nbsp;times the deceased's average monthly earnings in the 12&nbsp;months before death (if the deceased was aged&nbsp;66 or older) to 136&nbsp;times the deceased's average monthly earnings in the 12&nbsp;months before death (if the deceased was aged&nbsp;14 or younger).</p>
<p>Eligible survivors include a spouse, parents, grandparents, stepparents, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and brothers and sisters.</p>
<p>The minimum survivor benefit is S$69,000.</p>
<p>The maximum survivor benefit is S$204,000.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Manpower (<a href="https://www.mom.gov.sg/">https://www.mom.gov.sg/</a>) provides general supervision through its Work Injury Compensation Department, Occupational Safety, and Health Division.</p>
<p>The Commissioner for Labour, as appointed under the Employment Act, and his appointed Assistant Commissioners assess and distribute compensation, conduct hearings, and investigate and enforce the Work Injury Compensation Act.</p>
<h2>Unemployment</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p>The Workfare Training Support Scheme provides subsidized employment training, including a training allowance of up to S$4.50 an hour of training completed, to persons who qualify for the Workfare Income Support Scheme (see Family Allowances).</p>
<h2>Family Allowances</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1953 (provident fund), implemented in 1955.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 2001 (provident fund).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social assistance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Needy employed and self-employed citizens of Singapore.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> The total cost.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Income supplement (Workfare Income Supplement Scheme, means tested):</span> Age&nbsp;35 (at any age if disabled).</p>
<p>Means test: Gross average monthly income in the last 12&nbsp;months (employees) and gross monthly income in the last month (employees and self-employed persons) must not exceed S$2,000. Must not live in a property with a gross annual rental value exceeding S$13,000 in the previous year or own two or more properties (including the spouse's properties). The spouse's income must not exceed S$70,000 in the previous year.</p>
<h3>Family Allowance Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Income supplement (Workfare Income Supplement Scheme, means tested):</span> Up to S$3,600 a year (S$2,400 if self-employed) is paid depending on the worker's age.</p>
<p>40% of the supplement is paid as a cash benefit (10% if self-employed) and 60% is paid to the <abbr class="spell">CPF</abbr> account (90% to the MediSave account if self-employed).</p>
<p>Schedule of payments: The benefit is paid monthly (annually if self-employed).</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Manpower (<a href="https://www.mom.gov.sg/">https://www.mom.gov.sg/</a>) provides policy supervision through its Income Security Policy Division.</p>
<p>Central Provident Fund Board (<a href="https://www.cpf.gov.sg/">http://www.cpf.gov.sg/</a>) administers the program and pays benefits.</p>
</div>
</article>
<nav>
<div class="docNav"><a class="previous" href="saudi-arabia.html">Previous: Saudi Arabia</a>&nbsp;<a class="toTop" href="#hLogo">Top of page</a>&nbsp;<a class="toTOC" href="index.html#fileList">Table of contents</a>&nbsp;<a class="next" href="solomon-islands.html">Next: Solomon Islands</a></div>
</nav>
<footer><div id="footer">
<div class="important-info"><h4>Important Information:</h4>
<ul><li><a href="/agency/">About Us</a></li>
<li><a href="/accessibility/">Accessibility</a></li>
<li><a href="/foia/">FOIA</a></li>
<li><a href="/open/">Open Government</a></li>
<li><a href="/agency/glossary/">Glossary</a></li>
<li><a href="/privacy/">Privacy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oig.ssa.gov/report/">Report Fraud, Waste or Abuse</a></li>
<li><a href="/agency/websitepolicies.html">Website Policies</a></li></ul>
</div>
<p class="align-center margin-top">This website is produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense.</p>
</div></footer>
<!-- SSA INTERNET BODY SCRIPTS -->
<script src="/policy/js/rspa.doc.js"></script>
<script src="/policy/js/rspa-shared.js"></script>
<script src="/framework/js/ssa.internet.body.js"></script>
</body></html>