I am born in 1979 or earlier. Can I opt out from the CareShield Life scheme after joining (e.g. if I cannot afford the premiums)?

To make joining CareShield Life more convenient, you have been auto-enrolled from 1 December 2021, if you are a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident born between 1970 and 1979, covered under the ElderShield 400 scheme and did not develop severe disability at the point of auto-enrolment.  You can choose to opt out by 31 December 2023 if you do not wish to join the scheme.

Those who are not auto-enrolled can choose to join CareShield Life. If you are in this group, you will have a 60-day free-look period from the commencement of your CareShield Life coverage, for you to consider your decision.

The Government will provide participation incentives of up to $2,500 ($250/year) to all Singapore Citizens born in 1979 or earlier who join CareShield Life by 31 December 2023. Additional participation incentives of $1,500 ($150/year) will also be provided to Merdeka and Pioneer Generation citizens who join CareShield Life by 31 December 2023. The participation incentives will be spread equally over 10 years and will be used to offset premiums payable for each year. 

To encourage more Singapore Citizens to join CareShield Life, those who join and are covered between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 will receive participation incentives of up to $1,875 ($187.50/year). Additional participation incentives of $1,125 ($112.50) will be provided to Merdeka and Pioneer Generation citizens. 

The Government will also provide means-tested premium subsidies and Additional Premium Support to those who join CareShield Life, to ensure that no one who joins the scheme loses coverage due to financial difficulties. For this reason, after the applicable free-look periods, you will not be able to opt out from the scheme.

For more information on the types of premium support available, you may refer to this page. For information on your personalised premiums and premium support, you may access the CareShield Life Premium Checker e-Service with your Singpass.

If you are a foreigner who become a Singapore Citizen or a Permanent Resident from 1 October 2020 onwards, are born in 1979 or earlier and do not develop severe disability, CareShield Life will be mandatory for you.

This information provided here is sourced from the MOH website.