Government-Backed Scheme
Monthly Payout
$689+ (2026)
Payout Duration
Lifetime
Premium Payment
MediSave
CareShield Life is Singapore's national long-term care insurance scheme providing lifetime monthly payouts for severe disability. It replaced ElderShield in 2020 with enhanced benefits including lifetime coverage and annual payout increases.
CareShield Life is Singapore's national long-term care insurance scheme, mandatory for those born 1980 or later. It provides monthly cash payouts if you become severely disabled and need long-term care assistance.
Unlike health insurance which pays medical bills, CareShield Life provides monthly cash that you can use for any purpose - hiring caregivers, modifying your home, or covering daily living expenses when you can no longer perform basic activities independently.
To claim, you must be unable to perform at least 3 out of 6 ADLs:
2026 Starting Payout
$689/month
Payouts increase annually to keep pace with inflation. The amount you receive depends on when you start claiming.
Born 1980 or later: Automatically enrolled at age 30. Coverage is mandatory and you cannot opt out.
Born before 1980: Can voluntarily join CareShield Life if you're not already on ElderShield, or switch from ElderShield to CareShield Life.
If you're already on ElderShield, you can choose to stay or upgrade to CareShield Life. However, once you switch to CareShield Life, you cannot switch back to ElderShield.
While CareShield Life provides a foundation, the monthly payout may not cover actual long-term care costs in Singapore. Average care costs can range from $2,000 to $5,000+ per month depending on the level of care needed.
CareShield Life Payout
$689/month
Average Care Costs
$2,000-5,000/month
Gap: $1,300-4,300/month that you would need to fund from savings or family support.
Private insurers offer CareShield Life supplements that provide additional monthly benefits of $100 to $5,000+ on top of CareShield Life payouts. These supplements can help bridge the coverage gap and ensure you have adequate protection.
CareShield Life supplements are private insurance plans that enhance your basic CareShield Life coverage. They provide additional monthly payouts when you become severely disabled.
Compare CareShield Life supplements from major insurers:
Official MOH Comparison (Sep 2025)CareShield Life replaced ElderShield in October 2020 with significantly improved benefits. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | ElderShield | CareShield Life |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Payout | $400 | $689+ (2026) |
| Payout Duration | 5-6 years | Lifetime |
| Annual Increases | No | Yes |
| Claim Trigger | 3 out of 6 ADLs | 3 out of 6 ADLs |
| Enrollment | Opt-out scheme | Mandatory (born 1980+) |
CareShield Life is essentially "ElderShield 2.0" with better coverage. The main improvements are: higher payouts ($689+ vs $400), lifetime payouts (vs 5-6 years), and yearly payout increases to keep pace with inflation.
Understand your coverage gap and find the right CareShield Life supplement for your needs.
Common Belief
"CareShield Life will cover all long-term care costs"
Planning Reality
CareShield Life pays $689/month, but actual care costs range from $2,000 to $5,000+ monthly. You'll need supplements or savings to bridge the $1,300-4,300/month gap.
Common Belief
"I'm too young to worry about long-term care"
Planning Reality
Severe disability can happen at any age due to accidents or illness. Premiums are lowest when you're young, and early planning ensures adequate coverage when you need it most.