Budget 2025: EASE scheme for seniors to be expanded to private properties; Matched MediSave scheme to be introduced
Enhancements to long-term care subsidies and grants expected to cost around S$300 million in FY2026
MORE support will be provided to seniors as the government reviews and updates its approach to retirement, healthcare and caregiving, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 18).
In his Budget 2025 speech, PM Wong said that the government will expand the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme for three years, up to 2028, to private property households.
Currently, EASE provides subsidised senior-friendly fittings and installations to households living in Housing and Development Board flats.
PM Wong said that the government will also introduce a five-year Matched MediSave scheme to eligible lower-income seniors. Under this, the government will provide a dollar-for-dollar grant of up to S$1,000 per year to match seniors’ voluntary MediSave account top-ups.
To qualify, seniors must be aged between 55 and 70, own no more than one property, and have a MediSave account balance that is less than half the prevailing basic healthcare sum.
They will also need to have a residential annual value of not more than S$21,000 and an average monthly income of not more than S$4,000. About 184,000 Central Provident Fund members are expected to be eligible for the Matched MediSave scheme.
Support for seniors who require long-term care will also be bolstered.
PM Wong said that subsidies for residential long-term care services will be increased by up to 15 percentage points; the maximum qualifying per capita household income will also be raised to S$4,800.
Those born in 1969 or earlier will receive additional subsidies of five percentage points.
Seniors will also benefit from enhancements to existing subsidies for long-term care services in the home and community. These subsidies will be increased by up to 10 percentage points, and the maximum qualifying per capita household income raised to S$4,800.
Meanwhile, there will also be an increase in subsidies provided under the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund to cover the rising costs of home healthcare items, as well as more categories of such items.
The government will raise the quantum for the Home Caregiving Grant as well, said PM Wong. The maximum amount will increase to S$600 per month, from S$400 per month currently.
The maximum qualifying per capita household income for the grant will also be raised to S$4,800.
The enhancements to these grants and subsidies are expected to cost around S$300 million in financial year 2026, and more in the future as the population ages, PM Wong said.
“With a rapidly ageing population, we have to work hard to manage the increases in long-term care costs, and ensure a good mix of funding support between individual co-payment, government subsidies and insurance,” he said.
He added that the Ministry for Health will share more details at its Committee of Supply.
For more Budget stories, visit businesstimes.com.sg/singapore-budget-2025
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