We are heartened by the policy changes announced by Prime Minister Lee during the National Day Rally speech last night, particularly the expansion of singles’ housing options and improved retirement support.  

• Better options for singles aged 35 and above

The previous classification system of mature and non-mature estates for Build-to-Order (BTO) housing projects will be replaced by Standard, Plus, and Prime categories, which are based on location. 

Previously, singles aged 35 and above could only purchase up to two-room Flexi BTO flats in non-mature estates. From the second half of 2024, they will be able to purchase two-room flexi BTO flats from any of the three categories. They will also have more options from the resale market—all categories will be up for purchase, albeit with the restriction to two-room Flexi flats and smaller in the Prime category. These measures mark a significant step towards equalising single people’s access to housing.

Yet the minimum age for singles to acquire public housing remains unchanged at 35. We note PM Lee’s acknowledgement that more Singaporeans are choosing to be single. Thus, we urge the Government to revisit the minimum age policy to be more inclusive of all Singaporeans.   

‘Singles’ are also not a homogenous group. They include single parents who may be unwed, divorced, or in the process of divorcing, many of whom continue to fall through existing cracks in housing policies. Due to their marital status, unwed, single parents and their children are not considered a “family nucleus” by HDB, rendering them ineligible for flats and housing grants under the Families Grant scheme. 

Although the Ministry of National Development previously stated that all unwed parents, regardless of age, were welcome to apply for the purchase of HDB housing and rental flats, these applicants have limited housing options, which impedes their ability to secure stable housing. 

As such, we reiterate our recommendation to implement a new housing programme to provide unwed single mothers who have no place to go with stable housing for at least two years, alongside support services, to give them time to find their footing.

At the same time, challenges faced by divorced and divorcing parents remain unaddressed. These include high up-front costs when purchasing a new flat, limited financial resources, obstacles to securing or maintaining full-time work, and “family nucleus” definitions that do not account for evolving family structures.

We recommend that divorced single parents be allowed to receive HDB loans regardless of previous loan history and levy waivers, and that the definition of “family nucleus” be expanded such that a greater diversity of families can qualify for flats and housing grants under the Public Scheme.

• Majulah Package for Retirement Support
  

A new $7 billion Majulah Package will be launched for “young seniors” aged 50 and older to assist them with their retirement needs. The Pioneer and Merdeka generations will also benefit from this package. The package comprises the (i) Earn and Save Bonus; (ii) Retirement Savings Bonus; and (iii) Medisave Bonus.

Women are more likely to fall short of the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) due to two interrelated factors: gender pay gaps and family caregiving responsibilities. The burden of caregiving tends to fall primarily on women, who are then made to choose between their caregiving duties and their careers. Combined with the gender pay gap, women’s ability to build savings and consequently achieve the BRS becomes impeded.

One-time bonuses, while helpful, will not be enough for such caregivers. Instead, offering regular basic contributions or matching savings would support all caregivers in achieving retirement adequacy.

PM Lee has assured that older Singaporeans “will not be left behind”. In line with that commitment, we hope the Government continues to review stronger financial support for caregiving, including paid eldercare leave, a statutory right to flexible work arrangements, and caregivers’ support grants with cash and CPF contributions.