Silver Support Scheme Act 2015

Silver Support Scheme Act 2015
Silver Support Scheme Act 2015
Parliament of Singapore
	Long title An Act to provide for a social security scheme called the Silver Support Scheme and for related matters. ;
Enacted by	Parliament of Singapore
Enacted	17 August 2015
Assented to	21 August 2015
Commenced	18 January 2016
Legislative history
Bill title	Silver Support Scheme Bill
	Status: In force

The Silver Support Scheme Act 2015 is a statute of the Parliament of Singapore that implements the social security Silver Support Scheme in Singapore. The law supplements the retirement savings of the needy elderly, to help them cope with their living expenses.

Overview

The Silver Support Scheme Act of 2015 is a law detailing the framework and penalties for the Silver Support Scheme.^[1] It caters for around 150,000 eligible Singaporeans who are at least 65 years of age to receive a quarterly government payout of between S$300 and S$750 from beginning 2016 onwards. The scheme in general is maintained by the Central Provident Fund Board of the Government of Singapore, which assesses a person's eligibility and thereby paying him or her. Qualifying factors may include lifetime wages, household support and housing type.^[2]

Singaporeans may opt out from this process. In contrast with the Pioneer Generation Programme which focuses solely on Singaporean pioneers that are Singaporean residents during national independence, the Silver Support Scheme looks after both current and future generations of elderly.^[3]

Uses of the Act

The Silver Support Scheme was introduced in August 2014 during the National Day Rally by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The overall aim is mitigating inequalities by supplementing incomes for the bottom 20-30% of elderly Singaporeans, who may have lesser means, in their retirement years.^[4]

In the case of those with private housing addresses but may require similar help, they may not automatically qualify for the scheme being 'marginal cases', however they may appeal to the Commissioner on a case-by-base basis.^[5]

References

^ "Silver Support Scheme". Government of Singapore. Ministry of Finance. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
^ Koh, Valerie (17 August 2015). "Laws for Silver Support Scheme passed in Parliament". Straits Times. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
^ Sim, Walter (18 August 2015). "Seniors to enjoy payouts from 2016". Straits Times. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
^ Lim, Swee Say. "Silver Support Scheme Bill, Second Reading Speech". Ministry for Manpower. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
^ "Parliament passes Silver Support Scheme Bill". CNA. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2016.

External links