Singapore’s Ministry of National Development (MND) has made a major upgrade to the Silver Housing Bonus scheme, providing additional help for seniors right-sizing into smaller flats. From December 1, 2025, the upgrades will give greater help to seniors moving into three-room or smaller HDB flats, targeting topping up their retirement funds.
One of the main enhancements is the addition of another S$10,000 cash bonus for seniors buying two-room flats or smaller including community care apartments. The new bonus is claimable irrespective of the quantum of CPF Retirement Account top-ups. Consequently, eligible seniors may get up to S$40,000 in total, a major increase in their retirement savings.
Moreover, the eligibility criteria have also been widened. From December onwards, elderly citizens who are relocating to a smaller flat will be able to qualify for the bonus if they pledge to have S$60,000 in their CPF Retirement Accounts. The increase may now be tapped from CPF housing refunds, such that seniors do not necessarily have to pay cash top-up.
The scheme has also been expanded to elderly who own private housing with an annual value of between S$21,000 and S$31,000. These elderly will be eligible for a smaller bonus, up to S$10,000 for a three-room flat or up to S$20,000 for a two-room flat.
The additional Silver Housing Bonus will cover more than 15,000 other seniors, the scheme now covering well over three quarters of homes in Singapore. This move forms part of efforts from the government to continue strengthening seniors retirement security as well as inducing seniors to use the housing which they stay for as best they could when old.
The authorities do not expect these adjustments to result in drastic changes to the HDB resale market since previous adjustments had no major price hikes for smaller flats.
The Silver Housing Bonus, launched for the first time in 2013 is among various measures to encourage Singapore’s aging population, complemented by the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme, offering subsidized home alterations for senior living.
