CareShield Life Supplement Comparison Guide 2025: Income vs Singlife vs Great Eastern

Singapore’s population is aging fast, and the need for long-term care solutions is more urgent than ever. While the government’s CareShield Life scheme offers basic protection, the question remains: is it enough?

CareShield Life is a mandatory national insurance plan that provides monthly payouts if you become severely disabled, specifically if you’re unable to perform at least 3 out of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). As of 2025, the payout stands at around $662 per month. While it’s a helpful start, it’s often not sufficient for the actual cost of long-term care in Singapore.

For individuals who become severely disabled and are unable to work, a monthly benefit of $662 may not stretch far—especially given rising healthcare and living expenses. This is where CareShield Life supplements come in. Offered by private insurers, these add-ons enhance your coverage and provide more generous monthly payouts, along with other meaningful benefits.

In 2025, three insurers provide CareShield Life supplements:

• Income Insurance (formerly NTUC Income)
• Singlife (formerly Aviva Singapore)
• Great Eastern Life

This guide offers an in-depth comparison of their supplement plans to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Summary Comparison of CareShield Life Supplements (2025)

* Premiums based on a 35-year-old female, payable till age 67. Actual premiums vary depending on age, gender, and selected benefits.

CareShield Life supplements allow you to select benefit levels up to $5,000 per month, and you can use MediSave to pay premiums (up to $600/year).

Income Insurance: Care Secure

Key Features:

• Pays out if you’re moderately disabled (unable to perform 2 out of 6 ADLs)
• Monthly benefit includes your CareShield Life payout
• Lifetime coverage

How Payouts Work:

• Moderate Disability (2 ADLs): Full benefit amount paid (e.g., $1,200/month)
• Severe Disability (3+ ADLs): Benefit reduced by CareShield Life payout (e.g., $1,200 – $662 = $538 from Income)

Additional Benefits:

• Rehabilitation Benefit: One-time lump sum: 300% (moderate disability), 600% (severe disability)
• Dependant Benefit: Extra 25% monthly payout for up to 36 months if you have a child under 21
• Death Benefit: 300% of monthly benefit paid out upon death while on claim

Premium Terms:

• Level premiums (do not increase with age)
• Pay until age 67 or later (up to age 84, depending on chosen term)
• Premiums waived once you’re on claim

Pros:

• One of the most affordable options
• Covers moderate disability

Cons:

• Benefit is offset when you qualify for CareShield Life (i.e., you don’t get double payout)

Singlife: CareShield Standard & Plus

Singlife offers two versions:

• Standard Plan: Payout only when severely disabled (3 ADLs)
• Plus Plan: Payout starts at moderate disability (2 ADLs)

Both plans offer monthly payouts up to $5,000 and include optional 2% or 3% annual escalation to offset inflation.

Key Differences:

Additional Benefits (Plus Plan):

• Lump Sum Benefit: 3x monthly payout when moderately disabled
• Dependent Care Benefit: Additional 20% payout for up to 36 months if you have a child under 22
• Caregiver Relief: Extra 60% payout for up to 12 months to assist with hiring a caregiver
• Premium Waiver: Stop paying premiums if you become mildly disabled (1 ADL)
• Death Benefit: 3x last drawn benefit paid to beneficiaries

Standard Plan Add-on:

• Rehabilitation Benefit: If your disability improves from severe to moderate, you still receive 50% of your benefit temporarily

Pros:

• Generous suite of additional benefits
• Premium waiver starts early
• Inflation protection via escalation options

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive
• Standard Plan doesn’t pay out until severe disability

Great Eastern: GREAT CareShield

Key Features:

• Monthly payouts up to $5,000
• Starts at moderate disability (2 ADLs)
• Benefit is in addition to CareShield Life
• Lifetime coverage with premium waiver after claim starts

Payout Structure:

• Moderate Disability: Full payout begins at 2 ADLs
• Severe Disability: Full payout continues, plus CareShield Life payout

Additional Benefits:

• Lump Sum Benefit: Up to 300% of monthly payout upon claim
• Dependant Care Benefit: Up to 25% additional payout for 36 months
• Caregiver Support Benefit: Up to 60% additional payout for 12 months
• Premium Waiver: Premiums cease if you become unable to perform just 1 ADL
• Death Benefit: 300% of the last drawn monthly payout

Pros:

• Most comprehensive in terms of benefits
• Full payout starts at moderate disability
• No offsets with CareShield Life payout

Cons:

• Most expensive among the three

Which CareShield Life Supplement Is Right for You?

Choosing the right supplement depends on your budget, health risks, and family responsibilities.

Choose Income Care Secure if:

• You want affordable coverage that begins at moderate disability
• You’re okay with your benefit being reduced once you start receiving CareShield Life payouts
• You value lower premiums

Choose Singlife CareShield Plus if:

• You want early payouts starting at moderate disability
• You have dependents or anticipate needing caregiver support
• You want options for inflation-adjusted payouts

Choose Great Eastern GREAT CareShield if:

• You want the most comprehensive plan
• You don’t want your benefit offset by CareShield Life
• You can afford slightly higher premiums for fuller coverage