The Silver Support (SS) Scheme is part of a wider suite of schemes (e.g. healthcare subsidies, GST voucher) that the Government has put in place in recent years to support elderly Singaporeans.

It provides a quarterly cash supplement to the bottom 20% of Singaporeans aged 65 and above. These are individuals who had low incomes through life and who now have little or no family support.

Elderly Singaporeans who qualify for SS will automatically receive their cash supplement. There is no need to apply.

Since the Scheme was implemented in 2016, about $1.3 billion of Silver Support payouts have been given to more than 180,000 elderly.

Enhancements to the Silver Support Scheme from 1 Jan 2021

The Government will enhance the Silver Support Scheme to strengthen support for seniors who had low incomes during their working years, and now have less in their retirement.

The enhanced Silver Support Scheme will benefit close to 250,000 Singaporeans aged 65 and above, up from 150,000 currently.

From 1 January 2021:

• Quarterly payouts will be increased by 20% for all flat types.
• Qualifying criterion for total CPF contributions by age 55 will be expanded from $70,000 to $140,000. Qualifying criterion of average annual net trade income of self-employed persons when they were aged 45 to 54 will be expanded from $22,800 to $27,600.
• Qualifying criterion for household monthly income per person will be expanded from $1,100 to $1,800.

There is no need to apply for Silver Support. All Singaporeans aged 65 and above in 2021 will be automatically assessed for eligibility. All who qualify for the enhanced Silver Support will be notified by CPF Board and receive their first payout in December 2020.

Learn more about the Silver Support enhancements in the Factsheet and FAQs.