The Silver Support Scheme pays cash every quarter to Singapore Citizens aged 65 and above who earned low wages during their working years and have little family support today. In 2026 the payout ranges from S$215 to $1,080 a quarter, and there is nothing to apply for.
Here is who qualifies, how the amount is set, and which other payouts a lower-income senior may be receiving alongside it.
Who Qualifies for the Silver Support Scheme
According to MOM and CPF Board, you must be a Singapore Citizen aged 65 or above and meet all three tests.
1. Lifetime wages
- Your total CPF contributions by age 55 were not more than $140,000. CPF Board says this counts Ordinary and Special Account contributions, including amounts later withdrawn for housing, education or investment.
- If you were self-employed or a platform worker, your average annual net trade income between ages 45 and 54 was also not more than $27,600.
2. Housing
- You live in a 1- to 5-room HDB flat.
- You and your spouse do not own a 5-room or larger HDB flat, a private property, or more than one property.
- Living in a 5-room flat that you do not own, such as a child’s flat, is allowed.
3. Household income
- Your household’s monthly income per person is not more than $2,300.
That last threshold was raised from $1,800 to $2,300 in 2025. In a written parliamentary answer on 24 February 2026, MOM said that around 1 in 10 of the seniors who are ineligible in 2026 miss out solely because their household income per person exceeds $2,300.
How Much Silver Support Pays in 2026
The amount depends on two things: the type of flat you live in, and whether your household’s income per person is above or below $1,500 a month.
| HDB flat type | Income per person up to $1,500 | Income per person above $1,500, up to $2,300 |
|---|---|---|
| 1- and 2-room | $1,080 a quarter | $540 a quarter |
| 3-room | $860 a quarter | $430 a quarter |
| 4-room | $650 a quarter | $325 a quarter |
| 5-room (living in, not owning) | $430 a quarter | $215 a quarter |
Seniors aged 65 and above who receive ComCare Long-Term Assistance get $430 a quarter, whatever their flat type.
To put that in monthly terms: a senior in a 3-room flat with household income of $1,200 per person receives $860 a quarter. That is $3,440 a year, or about $287 a month.
These are the rates MOM and CPF Board list for 2026. They were raised in 2025.
The short version: Silver Support is automatic. If you are a citizen aged 65 or above with low lifetime wages, live in an HDB flat and have household income of up to $2,300 per person, you receive $215 to $1,080 every quarter in 2026.
When and How It Is Paid
You do not apply. Eligibility is reviewed automatically each year, and those who qualify are sent a letter in December for the year ahead. Payments begin in the quarter you turn 65.
| Covers | Paid by |
|---|---|
| January to March | End of December of the year before |
| April to June | End of March |
| July to September | End of June |
| October to December | End of September |
The money goes to your PayNow account linked to your NRIC, or to a bank account registered with the Government. If you have neither, it is paid through GovCash.
Because eligibility is checked yearly, your payout can change. A child moving in or out, a change in household income or a move to a different flat type can all shift the amount, or end it.
If You Think You Should Qualify
Household income per person is a stand-in for family support, and it does not fit every home. A senior may live with a working adult child who contributes little.
MOM’s February 2026 answer said seniors in unique situations can write to CPF Board to have their eligibility reviewed, and that each case will be looked at holistically. If you are helping a parent, this is the route to use.
Other Payouts for Lower-Income Seniors
Silver Support rarely stands alone. A lower-income senior may also receive some of the following. Each has its own rules, so check the official page for your own case.
GST Voucher
- Cash. In August 2026, eligible adult citizens received up to $850 if their home’s annual value was $21,000 or less, or $450 if it was above $21,000 and up to $31,000. An income condition also applies.
- MediSave. Citizens aged 65 and above received a MediSave top-up of $150 to $450 in August 2026, depending on age and the annual value of their home.
Details are on govbenefits.gov.sg.
Workfare, for seniors who still work
The Workfare Income Supplement tops up the pay of lower-wage workers. CPF Board’s table shows a maximum of $4,900 a year for employees aged 60 and above for work done in 2025, for those earning between $500 and $3,000 a month. Employees receive 40% in cash and 60% in CPF. Check CPF Board’s page for the figures that apply to 2026.
Matching on CPF top-ups
Under the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme, the Government matches cash top-ups to an eligible senior’s Retirement Account dollar for dollar, up to $2,000 a year, with a $20,000 lifetime cap. In 2026 the Retirement Account must be below $110,200. See how the matching works and who can top up.
ComCare Long-Term Assistance
This is for those who cannot work because of old age, illness or disability and have little or no family support or savings. It provides monthly cash and help with medical costs. The Ministry of Social and Family Development publishes the current rates, and applications go through a Social Service Office.
Housing-linked bonuses
Seniors who own their flat may be able to turn part of its value into CPF LIFE income. See the Lease Buyback Scheme and Silver Housing Bonus.
How Silver Support Fits With CPF Payouts
Silver Support was designed for people whose CPF savings are small because their wages were small. It supplements CPF payouts and does not replace them.
Someone with a small Retirement Account may be on the Retirement Sum Scheme, where payouts stop once the account is empty. Silver Support continues for as long as the senior remains eligible. See Retirement Sum Scheme versus CPF LIFE for what that means for a parent with a low balance.
What To Do Next
- Check eligibility and payment status on govbenefits.gov.sg with Singpass, or look for the December letter.
- Make sure the senior’s NRIC is linked to PayNow so payments arrive without delay.
- If a parent seems to meet the criteria but was not included, write to CPF Board and explain the household’s circumstances.
- Add up all regular income, including CPF payouts and Silver Support, and test it against expenses with our retirement timeline calculator.
- See every CPF strategy by age for other ways to raise retirement income.
