Singapore's Social Compacta quick introduction

What is a Social Compact?

A Social Compact is an implicit agreement between theGovernment and the people on the roles and responsibilitieseach plays, so that together we can shape the growth ofsociety in both the present and the future

Individual & FamilyIndividual self-effort

Family as key pillar ofsupport

CommunityDevelop strongersocial cohesion

Additional layer ofsocial support

GovernmentCreate conditions forgrowth & opportunity

Provide targetedsupport

1960s-1980s: Nation-building

Focus on survival as a nation:Viable economyDefence capabilitiesBasic educationHousing and healthcare

Basic provision of social assistance

There was a strong emphasis on self-reliance and individual responsibilityin improving one's livelihood

1990s-mid 2000s: "Many Helping Hands" approach

Shifts in global markets, technologyand labour mobility led to wideningincome gaps

Social Compact was broadened toencourage a greater sense ofcollective responsibility

Launch of ComCare in 2005Introduction of Edusave,MediFund and CPF HousingGrants

FIVE SHARED VALUESNation before community and society above selfFamily as basic unit of societyCommunity support and respect for individualsConsensus, not conflictRacial and religious harmony

Late 2000s-present: Our new way forward

Demographic changes such asshrinking family sizes and anageing population

There was a recognitionthat the Governmentand the communityneeded to play a biggerrole in social provisionwhen individual andfamily efforts weresometimes insufficient

More government initiatives were rolled out to:Improve social service delivery andaccessibilityForge stronger partnerships withthe communityExpand support in domains critical topersonal well-being

Whole-of-government approach to social assistanceThrough various institutions, the government provides multiple layers ofassistanceEach layer supports specific needs of the people in a targeted manner butcollectively comprehensive in support across various domainsComplements individual responsibility and family support while laying thefoundation for a caring community that helps needy members

Find out more about Singapore's Social Compact by accessing the e-course here:

Scan the QR Code or searchgo.gov.sg/socialcompact2 tosign up for a free account.

For civil servants, the e-coursecan be accessed throughLEARN.

Produced by MSF Office of the Director-General of Social Welfare | Oct 2020

Icon taken/adapted from photo3idea_studio &freepik from www.flaticon.com

01of 5

Singapore's Social CompactEducation and Employment Policies

What is the Government's role in the Social Compact?Creates conditions for growth and opportunity

Provides targeted support for the low-income, vulnerableand those with specif ic needs

Education

02of 5

by investing in various domains, such as

Employment RetirementHealthcare

These domains, alongside Social and Community Assistance, form the

SIX FOCUS AREAS OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROVISION IN SINGAPORE

Housing

FOCUS AREA #1: EDUCATIONEvery child should have access to quality education,

regardless of their background, to get off to a good start in life

To achieve this, major investments have been made in

PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATIONEarly childhood are significant yearsfor physical, language, cognitive andsocial development

Policies are hence focused on improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of preschooleducation

Examples of policies:Preschool Outreach Programme (2007)KidSTART (2016)

Which aim to reach out to and assistchildren from low-income families

NATIONAL SCHOOL SYSTEMA quality education experienceprovided by the national schoolsystem is key to the acquisition ofknowledge and skillsets

Examples of policies:Broad-based subsidies for all students

Additional financial support for low-income householdsNon-academic support (e.g. Learning &Behavioural support)Expanded pathways in HigherEducation landscape (e.g. SkillsFutureWork-Study programmes)

Beyond the schooling age, the government also encourages LIFELONG LEARNINGthrough subsidising training for skills-upgrading programmes like SkillsFuture

FOCUS AREA #2: EMPLOYMENTEmployment provides the best opportunity for individuals to 

uplift themselves and their families in the long run

To achieve this, the Government activelyencourages work and employment by

Find out more about the Singapore's Social Compact by accessing the e-course here:

Scan the QR Code or searchgo.gov.sg/socialcompact2 tosign up for a free account.

For civil servants, the e-coursecan be accessed throughLEARN. Produced by MSF Office of the Director-

General of Social Welfare | Nov 2020

KEEPING SINGAPOREANSEMPLOYED AND CONSISTENTLY

EMPLOYABLE

Adapt and Grow (A&G) initiativeBridge mismatches in skills, wages andjob expectations by providing supportfor workers to take up new jobs

Greater support for those older andunemployed for longer periods

Workfare Skills Support (WSS)Complements the WIS by supportinglow-wage workers to upgrade theirskills

SkillsFutureEmpowers workers to take ownershipof skills development so as to improvetheir employability

UPLIFTING WAGES FOR THE LOWERINCOME AND BROAD MIDDLE

For those earning a lower income:

Workfare Income SupplementScheme (WIS)

Tops up incomes of low-wage workersProvides CPF top-ups and cashsupplements to help them save forretirement

Progressive Wage ModelProvides  clear sector-specificprogression pathways for workers toprogress and earn higher wages asthey become more skills productiveand take on higher job functions

For those in the broad middle:Encouraging skills upgrading to boostthe value of each employee, which willbe reciprocated with higher wages

Singapore's Social CompactHealthcare and Housing Policies

What is the Government's role in the Social Compact?Creates conditions for growth and opportunity

Provides targeted support for the low-income, vulnerableand those with specif ic needs

Education

03of 5

by investing in various domains, such as

Employment RetirementHealthcare

These domains, alongside Social and Community Assistance, form the

SIX FOCUS AREAS OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROVISION IN SINGAPORE

FOCUS AREA #3: HEALTHCAREAn accessible and affordable healthcare system allows all Singaporeans to live a

healthier, longer and more fulfilling life without worrying about the costs.

The Government adopts a multi-tiered approach to healthcare financing toensure that no Singaporean will be denied access to basic and appropriate

healthcare due to financial difficulties

Housing

The "S+3Ms"

GENERAL HEALTHCARE SCHEMES

Means-testedOffset healthcarecosts across allpublic healthcaresettings

SUBSIDIES MEDISAVENational savingsschemeHelp save forfuture healthcareexpenses

MEDISHIELD LIFEBasic healthinsurance planagainst largehospitalisationbills for life

MEDIFUNDGovernment-funded safety netfor needySingaporeans'medical expenses

Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)Subsidies for specialist outpatient andprimary care and dental careCHAS schemes are tiered so that moretargeted and appropriate assistance isprovided where needed

GENERATIONAL PACKAGES

For those bornbefore 1950

Outpatientcare

subsidies?

MediSavetop-ups?

MediShieldLife premium

subsidies?Disability

assistance?

For those bornbetween1950-1959

ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS

ElderShield

For all elderly individuals withsevere disabilitiesOffered up till 2020Monthly cash payouts

CareShield Life

For all individuals with severedisabilitiesOffered up till 2020Monthly cash payouts

FOCUS AREA #4: HOUSINGProviding affordable homes for everyone to lead comfortable, dignified lives,

and form close-knit relationships within families and communities

To achieve this, housing opportunities are keptaffordable and accessible through

SUBSIDISED RENTAL HOUSING SCHEMES

Public Rental SchemeOffering 1-room and 2-room rental flats for low-income citizen households without otherhousing options or family support

Interim Rental Housing Scheme

Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

BROAD-BASED AND PROGRESSIVE SUBSIDIES

Enhanced CPF Housing GrantGrant of up to $80,000 provided to first-timehomeowners who have been continuously employed inthe 12 months prior to application, and earn up to$9000 a month

CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats

Proximity Housing Grant for Resale Flats

Fresh Start Housing Scheme

Allows 2nd-timer families with youngchildren living in public rental flats tobuy a 2-room flexi flat on shorter leases,along with concessions and support

HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES FOR FAMILIESLIVING IN PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS

Enhanced Step-Up CPFHousing GrantAllows existing owners of subsidised2-room rental flats to upgrade to a 3-room flat

Fresh Start Housing Scheme

Allows 2nd-timer families with youngchildren living in public rental flats tobuy a 2-room flexi flat on shorter leases,along with concessions and support

Enhanced Step-Up CPFHousing GrantAllows existing owners of subsidised2-room rental flats to upgrade to a 3-room flat

PRIORITY SCHEMES FOR VARIOUS NEEDS

FACE-TO-FACE SUPPORT ON HOME OWNERSHIP

Home Ownership Support Team

A dedicated team in HDB to provide guidanceand support to rental households who areready for home ownership by helping themnavigate the flat purchase process

Housing CounsellorsCounsellors who help divorcing partiesunderstand their post-divorce housingoptions.

HDB offers many more grants, schemes and subsidies to allow all Singaporeans access toaffordable housing.

Find out more at the HDB website [www.hdb.gov.sg], or our e-course!

Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS)For 1st-time buyers who are married and expecting achild, or have at least one child aged 18 years oryounger

Assistance Scheme for 2nd-timers(Widowed/Divorce)

Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)

Tenants' Priority Scheme (TPS)

Find out more about the Singapore's Social Compact by accessing the e-course here:

Scan the QR Code or searchgo.gov.sg/socialcompact2 tosign up for a free account.

For civil servants, the e-coursecan be accessed throughLEARN. Produced by MSF Office of the Director-

General of Social Welfare | Nov 2020

Singapore's Social CompactRetirement Agency & Social and Community Assistance

What is the Government's role in the Social Compact?Creates conditions for growth and opportunity

Provides targeted support for the low-income, vulnerableand those with specif ic needs

Education

04of 5

by investing in various domains, such as

Employment RetirementHealthcare

These domains, alongside  Social and Community Assistance,  form the

SIX FOCUS AREAS OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROVISION IN SINGAPORE

Housing

FOCUS AREA #5: RETIREMENT AGENCYProviding all retirees with retirement agency allows them to enjoy their retirement

by ageing with dignity and vitality without financial worries.

To achieve this, different sources of retirement income are provided

CPF RETIREMENT INCOMEProvides for a stream of income in retirement to support day-to-day living expenses

CPF Lifelong Incomefor Elderly

Provides members withmonthly payouts for life

Retirement SumIncome

Provides members with amonthly income up to 90years old

Progressive risk-freeinterest rates

2.5% for Ordinary Account4% for Special, MediSaveand Retirement Accounts

FOCUS AREA #6: SOCIAL & COMMUNITY ASSISTANCESynergy and alignment between various social service organisations is

essential to better uplift the lives of the people we serve together.

ADDITIONAL RETIREMENT SUPPORT

Workfare Income SupplementScheme

Provides up to $4000 in cash and CPFtop-ups yearly for older lower-wageworkers earning up to $2300/month

*the above provisions are with effect from Jan 2020

Silver Support SchemeQuarterly cash payouts of $300-$750 tothose aged 65 and aboveMust have earned a low incomethroughout their working lives and havelittle or no family support.

To achieve this, the social service sector aims to work closely togetherto promote inclusivity, through

THREE-PRONGED APPROACHtowards social service provision for the low-income and vulnerable

COMPREHENSIVEThe various challenges

clients face are addressedholistically

Example:ComLink, which providesproactive and drivensupport for families stayingin rental flats

CONVENIENTAdministrative load andbarriers to accessing and

receiving help are reduced

Examples:Streamlined AssessmentProtocols with agenciesIntegration of multipleservices at all Social ServiceOffices

COORDINATEDServices are delivered in aclient-centric, rather thanagency-centric manner

Examples:Case Master Action PlanningFrontline officers whoconnect clients to relevanthelpSG Cares CommunityNetwork Sessions

A key component of our Social Safety Net, ComCare is an umbrella term for variousforms of social assistance provided at different levels

Long-termassistance

Short-to-mediumterm assistance

Assistance forchildren

Interimassistance

Support for personswho arepermanentlyunable to work dueto old age, illness ordisability, and havelittle to no means ofincome, savingsand family support

Temporary financialsupport for low-income families andindividuals to tideover difficult timesand regain stability

Additional financialassistance for childrenat preschools andstudent care centresto support thedevelopmental andcare needs of childrenfrom low-incomefamilies

Immediate financialassistance forindividuals andfamilies with urgentneeds throughcommunity touchpoints

Depending on clients' needs, assistance can extend to:Cash assistance for basic living expensesAssistance with houshold billsMedical assistanceEmployment assistanceReferrals to other agencies

EMPOWERING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIESExtra efforts to improve social and community assistance in the 

disability sector 

ENABLING MASTERPLAN 3 (EMP3)Rolled out in 2017, the EMP3 is the third 5-year roadmap for Singapore to nurture a moreinclusive society where persons with disabilities are empowered to achieve their fullest

potential and participate fully as integral and contributing members of society.

"Whole-of-Life Approach" to empowerment

Preschool(0-6 years old)

Schooling Age(7-18 years old)

Adulthood(18 years old and above)

Find out more about the Singapore's Social Compact by accessing the e-course here:

Scan the QR Code or searchgo.gov.sg/socialcompact2 tosign up for a free account.

For civil servants, the e-coursecan be accessed throughLEARN. Produced by MSF Office of the Director-

General of Social Welfare | Nov 2020

Early InterventionProgramme for Infantsand Children

Compulsory EducationFramework

Early detection andintervention

Educational support Employment support

Open Door Programme

Care and support services

Public TransportConcession 

Integrated Child CareProgrammePilot for PrivateIntervention Providers

Special Education Schools

Community IntegrationSupport in mainstreamschoolsSpecial Student CareCentres

Workfare IncomeSupplement

Day Activity Centres

*For more policies covered under the EMP3, do visit our e-module at LearningCloud.sg!

Singapore's Social CompactKey Challenges to our Social Compact

05of 5

Even as Singapore's Social Compact has adapted to changesover the years, it faces three key challenges:

Future trends

CHALLENGE #1: FUTURE TRENDSThere are three main future trends that Singapore has to contend with

DEMOGRAPHICCHANGES

What is a Social Compact?A Social Compact is an implicit agreement between theGovernment and the people on the roles and responsibilitieseach plays, so that together we can shape the growth ofsociety in both the present and the future

Sustainability Balancing needs

HEALTHCAREECONOMIC

TRANSFORMATION

CHALLENGE #2: SUSTAINABILITYAll government spending, including social spending, is financed through

taxation and borrowing

Ageing populationSmaller familiesIncreasing life expectancy

If social spending is financed through borrowing, it burdens the nextgeneration as they will have to pay the debts

Reduction in tax revenue due toshrinking workforce

CHALLENGE #3: BALANCING NEEDS

Which leads to:Reduction in manpowerIncrease in dependencyratio

Increase in chronicdisease burden amongthe young and old

Expected increase inincidence and diagnosisof mental health issuesChanging profile ofPersons with Disabilities

Changing structure ofeconomy and nature ofwork

Growth in gig and sharingeconomyFiscal constraints whichaffect resource allocation

provide increasedcommunity and statesupport for vulnerable

members in society

address more complexmedical needs

limit the diminishing ofour people’s workcapacity, and spursocial mobility to

mitigate inequality

Hence, the only responsible way to pay for social spending is throughtaxation, such that every generation pays their share

Expected rise in healthcare and socialspending

Therefore, the Government must ensure that limited resources areeffectively allocated across competing demands and to make trade-offs, 

if necessary.

How does the Government negotiate these trade-offs?

The needs considered in policy-making are based off three dilemmas:

Hence, the Social Compact must evolve to...

However, the balance between tax revenue and social spending inthe future is going to be affected by developments such as:

The Government must continue the trend of social mobility,and uplift the low-income and vulnerable through:

How can we provideassistance without

diminishing personaland collective

responsibilities?

How can we extendhelp in the immediate

term but uplift those wehelp such that they canbe independent In the

long run?

How can we continue toextend a helping hand

to those in need, yetalso build a society ofopportunities for all?

KEY PRIORITY AREAS TOENCOURAGE SOCIAL MOBILITY

Strengtheningcollective efforts

Ensuring the basicneeds of all

Singaporeans are met

Ensuring opportunitiesremain available for allto develop their fullest

potential

MSF strives to achieve this by working on the following priority areas:

Strengthening familyand community bonds

Building a moreinclusive society

where people of allabilities are able toachieve their fullest

potential

Giving our children agood start in life

Find out more about the Singapore's Social Compact by accessing the e-course here:

Scan the QR Code or searchgo.gov.sg/socialcompact2 tosign up for a free account.

For civil servants, the e-coursecan be accessed throughLEARN. Produced by MSF Office of the Director-

General of Social Welfare | Dec 2020