Speech on Second Reading of Careshield Life and Long-term Care (Amendment) Bill by NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and MP for Jalan Kayu SMC on 15 October 2025

SPEECH ON SECOND READING OF THE CARESHIELD LIFE AND LONG-TERM CARE (AMENDMENT) BILL BY NG CHEE MENG, NTUC SECRETARY-GENERAL AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR JALAN KAYU SMC ON 15 OCTOBER 2025

Introduction

Mr Speaker, the enhancements to CareShield Life are timely as we approach a “super-aged” society in 2026.

As the Minister mentioned, one in two residents is expected to develop severe disability in their lifetime¹.

The caregiving needs will increase -

1. with smaller families shouldering the burden of caregiving;
2. with long-term care costs rising faster than general inflation.²

In Jalan Kayu and beyond, I’ve met families struggling to balance between caregiving, work and the costs of care:

1. Expenses for helpers or nursing homes can run into thousands per month.³ Even with subsidies, many middle-income households feel the strain.
2. Caregivers often worry about how long they can keep going – physically, emotionally and financially. They want their loved ones to be given the best care in the best way possible.

That’s why this Bill matters. We must ensure that CareShield Life gives real assurance to families — that when severe disability strikes, both the stricken person and their caregiver will have the support they need. 

Points of Clarification/Concern

Today, I like touch on three areas:

1. Payout adequacy;

    

2. Premium affordability; and

    

3. In conjunction to CareShield Life, refresh our “Caregiver Compact”, so that caregivers themselves are supported even as they care for their loved ones.
   
   

      (a) Payout Adequacy

First, on payout adequacy.

We know that long-term care costs are rising faster than general inflation. The move to double annual payout growth to 4% is welcome – but the key question remains: will payouts keep pace with actual costs of long-term care in the years ahead?

To help Singaporeans plan ahead with confidence, I suggest pegging payouts to cover at least a certain proportion of long-term care costs. In other words, for payout to be a certain percentage of estimated long-term care costs.

This would give families a clearer picture of what CareShield Life will cover, and will not cover, so they can plan early for the rest of care needs through other sources or supplementary plans.

I also seek clarity on stopping payout growth after age 67, or once a claim is made.

While the median duration of disability is around four years, three in ten Singaporeans could remain severely disabled for ten years or more. ⁴  

Without continued payout growth, CareShield Life can fall short just when families need it most – as inflation steadily chips away at the real value of payouts.

I hope the Minister can share how the Government will ensure payouts remain meaningful and adequate during the extended years when the payout is needed.

Because at its heart, this is not just about policy design. It’s about giving Singaporeans peace of mind — knowing that the years of premiums they paid will translate into real assurance when CareShield Life payouts is needed most.

(b) Affordability of Premiums

My second point is on affordability of premiums.

I’m heartened by the Government’s assurance that no one will lose coverage because they cannot afford their premiums. This assurance matters deeply.

But for many middle-income families, including those in Jalan Kayu who may not qualify for means-tested support, the worry is still real and remains. The 4% annual premium increase — especially after transitional subsidies taper off by 2030 — can add up and eat into MediSave balances.

To give families greater assurance, I suggest that premiums be capped at a fixed percentage of the median per-capita household income. This ensure premiums remain fair and sustainable in line with wage growth over longer periods of time.

It would also help if the Government could indicate what is the expected upper limit of premiums beyond 2030, so Singaporeans can plan their finances with greater certainty.

Pegging payouts and managing premiums in tandem would give Singaporeans a stronger sense of predictability and stability — knowing both what they can expect in support, and what premiums contribution is needed.

This clarity will go a long way in helping families plan responsibly, without the anxiety of being overwhelmed when care needs arise.

(c)  Refreshing our “Caregiver Compact”

Mr Speaker, in conjunction with CareShield Life, we must also refresh our “Caregiver Compact”. We must ensure that caregivers themselves are not left behind.

There are many areas of support we can and must strengthen. Today, I want to focus on one – helping caregivers build up their own retirement adequacy.

Many of our caregivers – often women – spend years caring for loved ones, especially those that become severely disabled.  Many make the difficult decision to leave the workforce.

As a result, they may have smaller CPF balances and savings. Later in life, they may struggle to afford the long-term care they need.

We must not let those who provided care in their younger years go without care in their old age.

I urge the Government to consider providing CPF top-ups to primary caregivers who lack retirement savings due to caregiving.

This would go some way in giving them assurance that even as they care for others, they too will be cared for in turn.

Mr Speaker, it is timely to review the Caregiver Support Action Plan which was launched 5 years ago. I hope the Government can refresh the Action Plan – to better recognise caregivers’ sacrifices, strengthen the ecosystem around them, and help them care for both their loved ones and, in time, for themselves.

Mr Speaker, in Chinese please.

我们身边的年长者，默默付出，把我们养育成人。如今我们已经成长， 更应该 饮水思源，守护他们的晚年。

终身护保计划是我国长期护理的重要支柱。

在强化这项计划的同时，我们也必须确保它真正惠及所需之人。

我们可以从三方面着手：

一，给付金额至少覆盖长期看护费用的一定比例，让家庭能提前规划，未雨绸缪；

二，保费 应该维持在可负担水平，例如，设定上限为人均家庭收入中 位数的一定比例，以确保公平和可持续；

三，看护者在照顾亲人的同时，也应该得到应有的支持。我恳请政府考虑为这些承担家庭看护责任的人提供公积金补贴。

许多看护者为了照顾亲人，牺牲了自己的事业，而没有退休积蓄。我们有义务，在他们需要的时候，照顾他们，成为他们的后盾。

Closing & Call to Action

Mr Speaker, CareShield Life is a key pillar of our nation’s approach to long-term care.

It rests on the promise that when one pays premiums faithfully through the working years, one can count on meaningful support when severe disability strikes.

As we strengthen the scheme, let’s make sure it really delivers that assurance:

1. That payouts cover at least a certain percentage of long-term care costs – giving families predictability to plan for their needs.

    

2. That premiums will remain within reach, by capping premiums at a fixed percentage of the median per-capita household income; and

    

3. That caregivers receive the support they need so that they will be cared for even as they care for their loved ones.
   
   

Mr Speaker, notwithstanding these suggestions, I support the Bill.