Long-term care
ElderShield
The earlier national long-term-care scheme, still in force for Singaporeans born in 1979 or earlier, which pays a fixed monthly benefit for a limited number of years.
What it protects
The shock it absorbs.
ElderShield protects against the same risk as CareShield Life, severe disability that leaves you unable to care for yourself, but it is the older scheme that CareShield Life was built to replace. It still matters because a large group of older Singaporeans are covered under it rather than under the newer scheme.
Like CareShield Life, it pays a cash monthly benefit you can spend on any form of care, from a nursing home to a domestic helper to home modifications. The key difference is that the payout runs for a capped number of years rather than for life.
For a younger reader, ElderShield is mainly relevant as the cover their parents or older relatives are likely to hold, and as the baseline those relatives may want to top up.
How it works
In Singapore, in practice.
ElderShield was the national long-term-care scheme before CareShield Life. Singapore Citizens and PRs with MediSave were auto-enrolled at age 40 unless they opted out. It is closed to new sign-ups: anyone born in 1980 or later is on CareShield Life instead, and those born in 1979 or earlier stay on ElderShield unless they choose to switch in to CareShield Life.
A claim is triggered on inability to perform 3 or more of the 6 Activities of Daily Living, the same disability test as CareShield Life. The benefit is a fixed monthly amount that pays for a limited period rather than for life, and the exact terms depend on which version of the plan the person holds.
ElderShield was offered through a panel of private insurers appointed by the Government, and premiums were paid from MediSave. Policyholders can choose to upgrade to CareShield Life, which converts them to the newer lifelong scheme.
Where it sits
Its place in your protection stack.
Protection is built in layers. This is the role ElderShield plays, and the layers above and below it.
Whole life, personal accident, and general cover, added as priorities allow.
Term life sized to your dependants and outstanding debts.
Critical illness and income protection for your working years.
Integrated Shield Plans and riders for private or as-charged hospital cover.
What every Singaporean has by default: MediShield Life and CareShield Life.
The trade-offs
What it does well, and what to watch.
Good for
- Understanding the long-term-care cover an older relative most likely already holds
- A starting point for deciding whether to opt in to CareShield Life's lifelong payout
- A reminder to check existing ElderShield supplements before changing anything
Watch outs
- The benefit pays for a capped number of years, not for life, so it can run out while care is still needed
- It is closed to new enrolment; you cannot newly buy ElderShield today
- Switching from ElderShield to CareShield Life is generally one-way, so it is worth understanding the trade-offs, and some older supplements carry features that lapse if the base policy is cancelled
Who it's for
When this matters most.
- Singapore Citizens and PRs born in 1979 or earlier, who are likely on this scheme rather than CareShield Life
- Adult children helping parents review their long-term-care cover and decide whether to switch in to CareShield Life
- Anyone with an older ElderShield supplement who wants to understand what cancelling it would forfeit
In the market
What this looks like.
Real Singapore examples, shown to make the type concrete. These are illustrative, not endorsements.
How it connects
Cover that works with this.
CareShield Life
The national long-term-care insurance that pays a lifelong monthly cash payout if you become severely disabled.
Full breakdown Long-term careCareShield Life Supplements
Optional private top-ups that raise your long-term-care payout above the national CareShield Life floor and can add features like an easier claim trigger.
Full breakdown Long-term careMediSave for Long-Term-Care Premiums
The MediSave rule that lets you pay CareShield Life and ElderShield premiums, and part of a private supplement's premium, without touching your cash.
Full breakdownSources
Where the facts come from.
- ElderShield is the legacy national long-term-care scheme that preceded CareShield Life; Singaporeans and PRs were auto-enrolled at age 40, and those born in 1979 or earlier remain on it unless they opt in to CareShield Life.https://www.careshieldlife.gov.sg/eldershield/about-eldershield.html
- ElderShield uses the same 3-of-6 Activities of Daily Living disability trigger, but its benefit is paid for a limited period rather than for life.https://www.careshieldlife.gov.sg/eldershield/eldershield-benefits-and-premiums.html
- ElderShield premiums were payable from MediSave and the scheme was administered through a panel of appointed private insurers.https://www.careshieldlife.gov.sg/eldershield/eldershield-benefits-and-premiums.html
See where ElderShield fits your own plan.
This is educational, not advice. When you want a detailed look at whether this cover fits your situation, a licensed adviser will map it to your income, CPF, and goals.