CareShield Life vs NTUC Care Secure Pro vs Singlife CareShield Plus – Which is Best in 2025?

Planning for long-term care in Singapore often starts with CareShield Life, but many wonder if the basic coverage is enough. That’s where CareShield Life supplements comparison becomes important. In this article, we review NTUC Income Care Secure Pro and Singlife CareShield Plus alongside the government’s CareShield Life to help you choose the best plan in 2025.

What is CareShield Life?

• Compulsory national scheme

• Provides lifetime monthly payouts upon severe disability (unable to perform ≥3 Activities of Daily Living, ADLs)

• Starting payout: From $612/month in 2025 (increasing over time)

• Premiums are subsidised for lower-income groups and payable via CPF MediSave

Limitation: $600/month may not cover the actual cost of long term care in Singapore (e.g., home nursing, caregiver support, assisted living).

The Real Cost of Disability Care in Singapore

Severe disability isn’t just a health issue — it comes with major financial consequences.

• 1 in 2 healthy Singaporeans aged 65 is expected to become severely disabled in their lifetime (MOH).

• Hiring a live-in caregiver costs about $1,200–$1,500 per month.

• Day care centres for seniors charge $900–$1,600/month.

• Nursing home care ranges from $2,000 to $3,600/month, even after subsidies.

With healthcare and care costs rising 6–8% annually, the gap between CareShield Life’s $612 monthly payout and actual long-term care expenses is clear.

Read more: Do I really need an insurance plan in Singapore

CareShield Supplements Comparison: What You Need to Know

Supplements are optional add-ons from insurers that:

• Increase your monthly payout (above the base $612)

• May cover 1 out of 6 ADLs instead of 3

• Offer lump-sum benefits or premium waivers

Two popular options in Singapore are NTUC Care Secure and Singlife CareShield Plus.

CareShield supplements comparison

Let us now do an in-depth CareShield Life Supplements comparison between NTUC Income Care Secure Pro and Singlife CareShield Plus

NTUC Income Care Secure Pro 

• Partial disability coverage: Monthly payouts start from 1 ADL (not just 3)

• Customisable payout amounts – Choose how much you want to be covered

• Additional lump-sum benefit when disability occurs

• Premium waiver once disability occurs

• Premiums payable via CPF MediSave (up to $600 per year per insured)

Pros:
✅ Covers earlier stage disabilities (1 ADL)
✅ Lump-sum benefit helps with upfront expenses
✅ Highest payout for 1 ADL among its competitor (60% of benefit, up to 60 months)
✅ Choose your monthly benefit in increments of $10

Cons:
❌ Premiums can be higher for same payout levels
❌ No choice for escalating payouts

Read more: NTUC Income Care Secure Pro review

Singlife CareShield Plus 

• Partial disability payout (from 1 ADL, similar to NTUC Income)

• Customisable payout amounts – Choose how much you want to be covered

• Additional lump-sum benefit when disability occurs

• Premium waiver once disability occurs

• Premiums also payable via CPF MediSave

Pros:
✅ Competitive premiums
✅ Option to increase benefit without underwriting at life stage events
✅ Choice of escalating payouts at 2% or 3% p.a. to fight inflation

Cons:
❌ Benefit increments is by blocks of $100
❌ Short payout period for 1 ADL (100% of benefit, up to 12 months)

Read more: Singlife Careshield Plus review

Side-by-Side Comparison Table of CareShield Life Supplements

Feature	CareShield Life (Govt)	NTUC Income Care Secure Pro	Singlife CareShield Plus
Monthly Payout (2025)	$612	$200-$5000, increments of $10	$200-$5000, increments of $100
Partial Disability (1 ADL)	❌ Not covered	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Lump Sum Benefit	❌ None	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Caregiver Benefit	❌ None	60% of disablity benefit, up to 12 months (2 or more ADLs)	60% of disablity benefit, up to 12 months (2 or more ADLs)
Dependant Benefit	❌ None	25% of disablity benefit, up to 36 months (2 or more ADLs)	20% of disablity benefit, up to 36 months (2 or more ADLs)
Death Benefit	❌ None	300% of disability benefit	300% of disability benefit
Premium Waiver upon Disability	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Payable via Medisave	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Up to $600/year)	✅ Yes (Up to $600/year)
Premiums comparison 35 year old Male $1300 Disability Benefit	N.A.	$589/year (all via medisave) Payable till age 99	$679/year ($600 via Medisave, $79 via cash) Payable till age 99

• If you want basic, subsidised coverage: CareShield Life is compulsory and forms your base.

• If you prefer lump-sum support: NTUC Care Secure Pro offers strong upfront benefits.

• If you want cheaper premiums but still adequately covered: Singlife CareShield Plus is better for long-term income planning.

Conclusion

CareShield Life ensures everyone has a safety net — but with Singapore’s long-term care costs easily exceeding $2,000/month, most Singaporeans will need more than the base $600 payout.

Both NTUC Care Secure Pro and Singlife CareShield Plus provide valuable supplements, but the right choice depends on your budget, family needs, and preferred payout structure.

👉 Ready to explore your options? Speak with a licensed advisor to calculate premiums, coverage, and the best plan for your situation.

FAQ – CareShield Supplements Comparison Singapore (2025)

Q1: What is CareShield Life and why might I need a supplement?
CareShield Life is the national long-term care insurance scheme in Singapore. It provides a basic monthly payout if you are severely disabled, but the starting payout of $612 may not be enough to cover actual care costs. That’s why many Singaporeans consider CareShield Life supplement plans for higher coverage.

Q2: What is the difference between NTUC Care Secure Pro and Singlife CareShield Plus?
Both are CareShield supplements that boost your payouts beyond the basic CareShield Life. NTUC Care Secure Pro offers lump-sum benefits and partial disability coverage, while Singlife CareShield Plus provides escalating payouts options to fight inflation.

Q3: Can I use MediSave to pay for CareShield supplements?
Yes. You can use up to $600 per year per insured person from MediSave to pay for approved CareShield Life Supplements like NTUC Income Care Secure Pro and Singlife CareShield Plus.

Q4: Which CareShield supplement is the best in 2025?
The “best” plan depends on your needs. If you prefer lump-sum support, NTUC Care Secure Pro is suitable. If you want affordable premiums with adequate coverage, Singlife CareShield Plus may be better. Comparing these options in a CareShield supplements comparison helps you make the right choice.

Q5: How much does long-term disability care cost in Singapore?
Costs vary widely. A live-in caregiver costs $1,200–$1,500/month, day care centres charge $900–$1,600/month, and nursing homes can range from $2,000 to over $3,600/month. This makes the base CareShield Life payout of $612/month insufficient without supplements.