What is ElderShield?
ElderShield was introduced in 2002 as a basic long-term care insurance scheme targeted at severe disability, especially during old age. When it was introduced, it provided payouts of $300/month for up to 5 years upon severe disability. It was subsequently reviewed in 2007 to provide better benefits of $400/month for up to 6 years.
The benefits you will receive depends on which scheme you joined.
Please note that the ElderShield scheme is no longer open for new applications.
Are you covered under ElderShield?
Until 2019, all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with MediSave Accounts were automatically enrolled in ElderShield at the age of 40, unless they opted out of the scheme. Coverage was provided by one of the three private insurers appointed by the Ministry of Health: Singlife, Great Eastern or Income Insurance.
From 2020, there will be no new auto-enrolments at age 40 into ElderShield. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who turn age 40 in 2020 will be enrolled into CareShield Life on 1st Oct 2020 or when you turn 30, whichever is later. The Government will also be taking over the administration of ElderShield from the insurers on 1 November 2021.
If you are born on 30 September 1932 or before, or had pre-existing disability as of 30 September 2002, you would not have been able to join ElderShield in 2002. Instead, you may be eligible for assistance under the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE) if you have developed severe disability.
How do you check if you are covered under ElderShield?
To find out if you are covered under ElderShield, you may check via CPF Board’s website. The steps are as follows:
- Go to the CPF website.
- Log in using your Singpass.
- Hover over "my cpf" and click on "Healthcare" under "My dashboards".
- Click on “Long-term care insurance” on the anchor links or scroll down to the “Long-term care insurance” section.
If you are not covered under CareShield Life/ElderShield, this section will inform you that you are not covered under CareShield Life/ElderShield.
What happens to your ElderShield policy if you decide to join CareShield Life?
Your ElderShield policy will be replaced by your CareShield Life policy. The ElderShield premiums which you have paid will be taken into consideration when computing your CareShield Life premiums.