General

Who is ElderShield for?
All CPF Members (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs)) who reach the age of 40 will be covered automatically. As it is an auto-cover scheme, you do not have to sign up to join ElderShield.

What are the benefits of ElderShield?
If your policy commenced before 29 September 2007 and you did not choose to upgrade, you will receive a monthly cash payout of $300, for up to a maximum of 60 months should you become "disabled". If your policy commenced after 29 September 2007 or if you have successfully upgraded your policy, the monthly cash payout will be $400, for up to a maximum of 72 months. You can use the money to help you pay for a type of care that is suitable for your needs (e.g. home nursing services, day rehabilitation, nursing homes, etc).

For someone who recovers but becomes "disabled" again, he will still get the cash payout as long as the total payout period is not more than 60 or 72 months.

Why should I join ElderShield now?
If you opt out when the scheme is implemented, or upon turning 40 when you first qualify to join ElderShield, you will risk being denied coverage later because of your medical problems. Even if you have some illnesses now, you are automatically covered unless you are already "disabled".

What does "disabled" means?
For ElderShield purposes, "disabled" means unable to do at least 3 of these activities - washing, dressing, feeding, toileting, mobility, and transferring. See Annex A for details of what "disabled" means.

How are premiums paid?
You can use your Medisave to pay for your ElderShield premiums. If you do not have enough Medisave savings, you may also use the Medisave Accounts of your spouse, parents, children or grandchildren. You may also pay by cash.

Do I have to continue paying my premiums if I become disabled?
The insurance company will start paying you if you become "disabled" and you can stop paying the premiums. If you recover, the insurance payout will stop, and you will have to continue paying the premiums, if you are paying by yearly premiums.

Can I choose my ElderShield insurer?
With effect from September 2007, Aviva Ltd is the third insurer appointed by the Ministry of Health (MOH), in addition to Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited and NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited. You will be randomly assigned to either one of the insurers. If you wish to switch to the other insurer, you can do so before policy commencement date with no penalty.

If you change insurer after the policy commencement date, you will lose the premiums already paid and will be regarded as an opt-in application by the second insurer. In addition, you may also be subjected to medical assessment by the second insurer.

What happens if I don't have enough money to pay until end of payment term?
ElderShield scheme has a Non-Forfeiture feature. This means that after a minimum number of premium payments are made, the ElderShield policy will not lapse even if subsequent premiums are not paid. Instead, you will continue to be covered for life but at a reduced monthly benefit. It is therefore important to ensure that the minimum number of premium payments is made.

The monthly reduced benefit depends on the number of premiums you have made before stopping the premium payments and it ranges from $100 to $372. You may refer to the Paid-up Values tables in your ElderShield Policy Document or the paid-up tables in this website to see the minimum number of premium payments required and the corresponding reduced monthly benefit.

If you wish to change your premium payment method to the use of the Medisave savings of your immediate family members to make payment, please complete the Change of Payment Method form and return to us before your next policy renewal date.