Retirement

Successful ageing with purpose and dignity

Singaporeans are living and staying healthier for longer. The number of Singaporeans aged 65 years and older is expected to reach 900,000 by 2030, with the number of centenarians having doubled from 700 in June 2010 to 1,500 in June 2020.

Various engagements, through focus group discussions and surveys, found that Singaporeans generally had a positive outlook towards life. However, there remain some concerns as they age. These include areas on health, job and financial security, and social connections.

Most respondents indicated that it was important to know how to stay healthy, and that remaining active at work or in the community helped with a more positive perception towards ageing. Those who were employed or volunteering were less likely to describe themselves as old. Most seniors also expressed that they would like to continue working.

This calls for a holistic approach to build a Singapore that meets the needs of Singaporeans of all ages. This means individuals contributing meaningfully, at work or in the community, staying healthy, and building up resources for retirement.

Enabling a vibrant workforce

The employment rate of seniors rose at a faster pace in 2021 to above pre-pandemic levels, buoyed by continued efforts to raise their employability.

Employment rate of senior residents continues to rise (MOM)

The retirement and re-employment ages have been raised to 63 and 68 respectively since July 2022.
As at May 2022, more than $300 million of Senior Employment Credit has been disbursed, benefitting 93,000 employers and 430,000 senior workers.
As at July 2022, more than 5,400 firms have successfully applied for the Senior Worker Early Adopter Grant to implement retirement and re-employment ages above the prevailing statutory ages. This is expected to benefit more than 46,000 senior workers.
Similarly, more than 4,300 firms have successfully applied for the Part-time Re-employment Grant as at July 2022, committing them to offer part-time re-employment to eligible senior workers who request for it. This is expected to benefit over 38,000 senior workers.

Nonetheless, we recognise that age discrimination was the most common form of discrimination faced by employees according to the Fair Employment Practices Survey 2021. We have taken steps to nurture age-friendly workplaces. For example:

More than 7,000 companies have adopted the Tripartite Standard on Age-Friendly Workplace Practices as at September 2022, a three-fold increase from March 2020. This signifies more employers taking steps to be progressive and inclusive. The standard specifies desirable age-friendly workplace practices including treating all workers fairly regardless of age and providing senior workers with support in areas such as training and workplace health programmes.

Staying connected in the community

We want to support seniors to age in place, independently within their own homes, while staying connected to their loved ones and society through support networks that embody the kampung spirit.

Supporting seniors during the pandemic

Many seniors were acutely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The people, private, and public sectors all stepped forward to support them.

For example, in late February 2020 before the Circuit Breaker, the Silver Generation Office (SGO)’s ambassadors reached out to about 27,000 vulnerable seniors to help them cope with the situation. This included reminding them to stay home, educating them on precautionary measures, and connecting them with relevant support and services for their daily living needs.

When the Circuit Breaker began, food packs were distributed to more than 30,000 vulnerable seniors who lived alone, to help them avoid exposure to the virus. As safe management measures subsequently tightened, the office switched to tele-engagements to continue ensuring the well-being of about 21,000 vulnerable seniors.

Meaningful engagement with technology has become key to a person’s quality of life. Seniors need to be digitally literate so that they can access services, participate in the community, and stay connected with their loved ones.

Since the launch of SG Digital Office in 2020, Digital Ambassadors have trained more than 190,000 seniors in basic digital skills such as using a smartphone to access government services and to communicate and transact online.
The Mobile Access for Seniors scheme was introduced in June 2020 to support lower-income seniors who could not afford mobile digital access. More than 9,000 seniors have benefitted from subsidised smartphone and mobile plans as at September 2022.
The SG Cyber Safe Seniors Programme provides seniors with tips on good cyber hygiene practices to stay safe online. As at October 2022, more than 45,000 seniors have been engaged under the programme.
The Digital for Life movement was launched in 2021 to galvanise support from the people, private and public sectors on ground-up initiatives to help Singaporeans gain confidence in going digital. For example, at the Majestic Smart Seniors Applied Centre managed by RSVP Singapore, seniors learn to identify and avoid scams and protect their digital identity, through curated modules and webinars conducted in partnership with Google.
Seniors can also access an array of online resources in the four official languages.

Beyond these efforts, seniors who are unable or may need more time to transit to digital services can visit ServiceSG centres at various heartland locations.

A Digital Ambassador teaching a senior how to use mobile applications (IMDA)

Ageing well

Seniors today have different needs and aspirations. We are ensuring that there are sufficient opportunities and support to empower them to age well.

Based on Population Census 2020, 11.2% of seniors faced difficulty in performing basic activities and might require assistance to carry out everyday tasks. To cater to seniors’ healthcare needs, the capacity and range of eldercare services have expanded over the years.

Home care capacity has more than tripled, expanding from 3,800 places in 2011 to around 12,000 places in 2021.
Day care places have increased close to four-fold from 2,100 in 2011 to 8,300 in 2021.
Nursing home capacity has also expanded from about 9,600 beds in 2011 to 17,000 beds in 2021, an 80% increase.
As at June 2022, 119 Active Ageing Centres provide active ageing programmes, befriending and buddying, and referrals to care services for seniors in the community.