The priority of the scheme is to provide protection against severe disability during old age, when Singaporeans are most likely to need long-term care.

The reason why the starting age is being lowered from 40 to 30 is to allow a longer period for premiums to be paid, compared to the current ElderShield scheme in which insureds pay premiums from age 40 until age 65. A longer duration of premium payment allows insureds to spread premium payment over more years, so as to reduce annual premiums payable.

There are various support schemes for families who need support for their severely disabled loved ones who are younger than the starting age (of 30) for CareShield Life, e.g. subsidies for early intervention programmes under the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), and subsidies for therapy services at KK Hospital and the National University Hospital.

Government-funded safety nets such as MediFund or ComCare can provide further assistance to Singaporeans who are unable to pay for their care even after Government subsidies and other means of support.