Singapore’s Silver Support Scheme (SSS) is a permanent pillar of retirement support for seniors who earned lower wages in their working years and now have less in retirement. Instead of a one-off grant, it pays a quarterly cash supplement directly into bank accounts. From 2025, the Government enhanced the scheme so that the maximum payout is $1,080 per quarter for the most vulnerable seniors, with calibrated amounts for others based on household income and housing profile.
The design principle is simple: provide modest, regular income to help with day-to-day expenses such as meals, transport, utilities, and routine medical needs alongside (not in place of) CPF LIFE, MediSave and other programmes. There is no application for most seniors: assessment is automatic using Government data, and eligible seniors are notified and paid every quarter.
$1,080 Singapore Silver Support Scheme Quick Summary
Item |
Details |
|---|---|
What it is |
Quarterly cash supplement for seniors with lesser means |
Who gets assessed |
Singapore Citizens aged 65+ (automatic assessment; no application needed) |
Core criteria (high level) |
Low lifetime CPF (≤ $140,000 by age 55) or, for SEPs/platform workers, net trade income ≤ $27,600 (ages 45–54); HDB 1–5-room living profile; do not own (nor have a spouse who owns) a large HDB/private/multiple properties; household monthly income per person ≤ $2,300 |
Payout tiers (from 2025) |
Up to $1,080 per quarter for the lowest-income 1–2-room HDB seniors; calibrated amounts for 3-, 4- and 5-room (live-in) profiles and for those in the $1,500–$2,300 income-per-person band |
Payment frequency |
Quarterly (cash credited direct to bank) |
When paid |
Each quarter of the year (you start from the quarter you turn 65) |
Official site |
cpf.gov.sg/sss (scheme details), msf.gov.sg (policy). Also Read
|
Sources: CPF Board scheme page and articles; MOM/official criteria summary; Budget 2024 enhancements taking effect from 2025.
Who Qualifies: The Four Lenses Used to Assess Eligibility
Silver Support targets seniors with lesser means by combining several indicators. You must meet all the scheme’s conditions (summarised here; see links for full details):
- Age & Citizenship
You are a Singapore Citizen aged 65 and above. Assessment is automatic no need to apply. - Lifetime Earnings / CPF Savings
- Total CPF contributions by age 55 ≤ $140,000; and for self-employed/platform workers, average annual net trade income ≤ $27,600 between ages 45 and 54.
- Housing Profile
- You live in a 1- to 5-room HDB flat; you and your spouse do not own a 5-room or larger HDB flat, any private property, or multiple properties. (You may live in a 5-room HDB flat without owning it.)
- Household Income Per Person
- Household monthly income per person ≤ $2,300 (threshold raised from $1,800 with effect from 2025).
These criteria ensure support reaches seniors with low lifetime wages, modest housing, and limited family resources.
How Much You Will Receive: The 2025 Payout Matrix
From 2025, payouts rose by about 20%, with calibrated amounts by HDB flat type and household income per person. As a reference:
- Income per person ≤ $1,500
- 1–2-room HDB: $1,080 per quarter
- 3-room HDB: $860 per quarter
- 4-room HDB: $650 per quarter
- 5-room HDB (live-in, not owned): $430 per quarter
- Income per person > $1,500 to ≤ $2,300
- 1–2-room HDB: $540 per quarter
- 3-room HDB: $430 per quarter
- 4-room HDB: $325 per quarter
- 5-room HDB (live-in, not owned): $215 per quarter
These are illustrative tiers published by the CPF Board; your actual tier is based on data-matching and continued eligibility.
When You Are Paid: The Quarterly Schedule
Silver Support is paid once every quarter, and you begin receiving payments in the quarter you turn 65. While public summaries often describe deposits in the first week of January, April, July, and October, the authoritative position is that SS is paid every quarter (the exact credit date is confirmed in your CPF notice/SMS). Always refer to CPF Board notifications and bank credit advice for the precise date for your payout.
How to Check or Update Your Status (No Application Needed)
- Assessment & notification: The Government automatically assesses eligibility using administrative data. Those who qualify are notified by CPF Board.
- Banking details: Ensure your bank account details with CPF/Government e-services are up to date so funds can be credited smoothly.
- Changed circumstances: If your household income, housing, or marital status changes materially, your tier may be adjusted in subsequent reviews. You can check scheme details and FAQs on the CPF site.
Why Silver Support Matters (Alongside CPF LIFE and Healthcare Schemes)
Silver Support does not replace retirement or healthcare schemes; it sits alongside them to top up incomes for seniors with lesser means. The intent is to reduce hardship, promote dignity and peace of mind, and recognise a lifetime of contribution especially for seniors who worked in lower-wage or informal roles, or who shouldered caregiving and accumulated lower CPF balances. Enhancements announced in Budget 2024 (effective 2025) underscore a continued national commitment to seniors as costs rise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Do I need to apply for Silver Support?
No. Assessment is automatic for Singapore Citizens aged 65 and above. If you qualify, CPF Board will notify you and credit the payment every quarter.
2) How is the exact amount decided?
Your household monthly income per person, HDB flat type, CPF contributions by 55, and property ownership are used to assign you to a payout tier. From 2025, the top tier is $1,080 per quarter for 1–2-room HDB seniors at the lowest income band.
3) When will I receive the money?
Silver Support is paid quarterly. You start in the quarter you turn 65; subsequent payouts follow each quarter. CPF notices/SMS and your bank statement reflect the credit date.
4) What if my income or housing changes?
Your eligibility may be reviewed and the payout revised up or down. Keep your details updated and refer to CPF communications for changes.
5) Can PRs or non-citizens qualify?
No. The Silver Support Scheme is for Singapore Citizens aged 65 and above.
