Here's all the buzz about the Singapore Budget 2026! We're giving you the lowdown on the significant changes aimed at enhancing support for families, children and students in Singapore.
Budget 2026: Key takeaways for families in Singapore
It’s that time of the year again: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong returns for Singapore’s Budget 2026 statement. This year, he will continue to offer support to Singaporeans amidst job concerns like the rapid pace of technological advancement. This includes helping Singaporeans manage job transitions, as well as keeping up with the current skills that are in demand in the job market.
We’ve listened in, and these are some of the key takeaways for families and individuals in Singapore.
1. Total of $500 in CDC vouchers come January 2027
We loved using our CDC vouchers last year (*cough cough* buying a Switch 2) – expect $500 in CDC vouchers in January 2027! Similar to previous rounds, half can be used at participating supermarkets while the other half can be used at participating merchants and hawkers.
2. Cost-of-Living Special Payment
Another fan favourite – cash payouts! Those earning up to $100,000 in assessable income and who do not own more than one property will receive $200 to $400 in cash. There will also be more support given to help alleviate utility costs through U-Save rebates – eligible HDB households will receive up to $570 in utilities rebates this financial year.
3. Harnessing AI to help, not hinder jobs in Singapore
Just like in the National Day Rally 2025 speech, Singaporeans are still concerned about the job market due to rapid technological advances, such as AI, and rising global tensions. However, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wants to urge Singaporeans not fear AI but instead harness it as a tool to help improve workflow and increase productivity. New roles will emerge, and current roles will evolve, but Prime Minister Lawrence Wong promises that these technological advances will not replace workers.
He also mentioned that there will be greater efforts to strengthen AI literacy in education on how to use AI wisely, not as a shortcut. In the workplace, workers should aim to use AI for routine tasks so they can focus on tasks that require human insight. In order to help the workforce better equip themselves with skills in line with AI, the government will redesign the SkillsFuture website to make AI learning pathways clearer and easier to access. Plus, those who sign up for selected courses will also get six months of free access to premium AI tools to apply what they learn.
4. Helping young couples who are ready to start families
The cost of raising a family is getting scary, especially for young couples today. Hopefully, the distribution of another $500 in Child LifeSG credits for every Singaporean child aged 12 and below will help those planning to start a family in the near future. These credits can be used at both physical and online merchants for household expenses such as groceries, pharmacy items, utilities and transportation.
5. Subsidies for preschool and student care
Education is important, and it starts all the way at the preschool level. That’s why Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wants more families to qualify for preschool subsidies. From next year, the monthly household income ceiling for means-tested preschool subsidies will be raised to $15,000 (from $12,000 previously). The same goes for student care – the monthly household income threshold for Student Care Fee Assistance will also be raised to $6,500 (from $4,500 previously) so that more families can qualify.
6. Empowering families with greater needs
Lower-income families with children will receive greater support through the ComLink+ Progress Packages, such as a new payout of $500 per quarter. A family with two children under ComLink+ can also receive around $10,000 per year in cash and CPF top-ups while their children are in preschool.
7. Helping seniors age well
Retirement can be stressful in today’s economy – to help relieve this stress, those aged 50 and above with CPF retirement savings below the Basic Retirement Sum will receive a CPF top-up of up to $1,500. Plus, it’s a shame to just let these funds sit there – come 2028, there’ll be the option of putting funds in a new, voluntary life-cycle investment scheme so your money can grow with you. Don’t worry, fees will be kept low, and the government will select two to three credible providers to keep choices simple for members.
Refrences:
CNA
That’s it for the Budget 2026 announcements for families! Keep reading for past announcements.
National Day Rally 2025: Key takeaways for families in Singapore
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is back again in his second National Day Rally speech! He discussed the impact of AI, stricter penalties for vapes, the setting up of age-friendly neighbourhoods, and new redevelopment plans in Woodlands, Kranji and Sembawang. Read on to learn how these developments will impact families in Singapore!
Here are some key takeaways concerning families and individuals in Singapore.
1. No screen time at all for infants and toddlers
Parents today definitely occupy their little ones’ attention with screen time, like putting on some low-stimulating shows for the kiddos. However, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong seems to have a different opinion about this. As he shared in his National Day Rally 2025 speech, he emphasised that while it’s important to equip the kids with technological skills, it’s also important to protect them from the potential harm it can cause. For example, no screen time at all for toddlers and infants – reputable sources like Nemours KidsHealth suggest that babies younger than 18 months should have no screen time at all aside from video calls since most of their brains are still developing at their age.
2. Harder crackdown on vapes
If you’ve been online the past couple of weeks, you’ve probably seen multiple headlines about a ‘zombie’ epidemic in Singapore. This isn’t like Train to Busan or the other zombie movies – there have been multiple sightings of teens behaving like zombies after using vapes laced with harmful addictive substances like etomidate. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated in his National Day Rally speech that authorities will now be treating this as a drug issue and will be imposing stiffer penalties, including jail sentences and more severe punishments for those who sell vapes with harmful substances. Parents can play their part by checking in on their children and warning them about the negative impacts of these vapes – let them know that you’re there to help!
3. The impact of AI and more support for jobs
For the parents who are more technologically savvy, learning about the advancement and implementation of AI can be worrisome – especially when it comes to employment for their kids in the future. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took the time during the National Day Rally 2025 speech to share that we do need to embrace the implementation of AI to keep up with other countries, and how it can bring benefits to productivity. He also reassured Singaporeans that although it may lead to certain occupations evolving and some disappearing, there will also be new roles that will pop up. On that note, he also announced a new job-matching initiative that will help connect people to job vacancies and help them find suitable roles.
There’ll also be a new government-funded traineeship scheme to help graduates find employment. This will include training opportunities for ITE, polytechnic, and university graduates, which will be scaled up if the economy continues to worsen.
So parents, you don’t have to worry – your children will be in good hands! They’ll have the support they need to keep up as technology continues to evolve.
4. New Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative for seniors
This initiative aims to create neighbourhoods that have more accessible facilities and activities, better home-based services, more care facilities, and will have public hospitals for basic care and health consultations. Starting in Toa Payoh, one of Singapore’s oldest towns, the initiative plans to make facilities like Active Ageing Centres more accessible and provide better at-home care, since seniors prefer not to move out.
5. Plans to rejuvenate Northern Singapore
Kranji, Sembawang, and Woodlands are getting makeovers following Punggol’s success in becoming a “thriving, beautiful town”. In order to maximise Singapore’s limited land, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shares plans to develop more than 80,000 new public and private homes over the course of 10 to 15 years. To make Kranji less ‘ulu‘, there’ll be a new MRT station at Sungei Kadut as well as a new neighbourhood centre around Kranji MRT. The Sembawang Shipyard dry dock will be used as a community space for sports, concerts, or gatherings – definitely will be more ‘happening’. When it comes to housing, Sembawang and Woodlands will have new waterfront property, while Kranji will have new public housing estates – this will hopefully make it easier for our kiddos in the future to afford homes!
References:
CNA
Prime Minister’s Office Singapore
The SG60 Budget 2025 has been announced! Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the new measures to help households manage Singapore’s rising cost of living. On 18 February 2025, we gleamed from the SG60 Budget 2025 speech that this year there’ll be more measures in place to support larger families, seniors, lower-income families and those with disabilities. Keep reading for all the benefits, and look back on the measures announced at the last National Day Rally too!
SG60 Budget 2025: Key takeaways for families in Singapore
1. Total of $800 in CDC vouchers
Families will be able to breathe a little easier with the help of CDC vouchers – all households will receive $500 in May 2025 and the remaining $300 in January 2026. These vouchers can be used at participating merchants, hawkers, and supermarkets. Check out the list of participating merchants so you can take note of where you can use them to save!
2. Cash payouts: 2025 GST vouchers and Assurance Package
This is the one Singaporeans over 21 have their eyes on – the SG60 Budget 2025 GST cash payouts! In August 2025, expect to receive $450 or $$850 as long as your annual income does not exceed $34,000 and you don’t own more than one property. Those with a household annual value of up to $21,000 will receive $850 and those with a household annual value between $21,000 and $25,000 will receive $450.
In December 2025, as part of the Assurance Package, every Singaporean aged 21 years and above will receive cash payments of between $100 to $600, depending on his/her income and property ownership.
3. SG60 benefits
We have rounded up all the SG deals and promos we can find, and regularly update this as new deals come in, so bookmark and return regularly! This July, all Singaporeans aged 21-59 this year will get $600 worth of SG60 vouchers, while those aged 60 and up will get $800. Similar to CDC vouchers, half of the sum can be spent at supermarkets, and the rest at heartland merchants and hawkers. Plus, babies born in 2025 will be receiving an SG60 Baby Gift.
4. Utility rebates
What did the SG60 Budget 2025 have to say about utility rebates? As we all know, utility bills can creep up on you, especially for bigger households. Thankfully, Housing Board flats will receive up to $760 in U-Save rebates – payouts will be made in April, July, and October 2025 and January 2026.
5. Additional LifeSG credits for families
LifeSG credits can be used on household expenses such as groceries and utilities. Families will receive $500 in credits per Singaporean child aged up to 12 that will be credited to the child’s Child Development Account. Children between the ages of one and 12 in 2025 will receive these credits in July while those born in 2025 will receive the SG60 Budget 2025 credits in 2026.
6. Lower childcare fees from 2026
The SG60 Budget 2025 announced that full-day childcare fees will be capped at $610 for anchor operator centres and $650 for partner operator centres. This reduction makes it similar to the expenses for primary school and after-school student care combined and makes it more affordable for lower- and middle-income families.
7. Top-ups for Edusave or Post-Secondary Education accounts
Education is a top priority for children and the SG60 Budget 2025 assistance aims to help with that. Students aged 13 to 20 will receive a $500 top-up in either their Edusave Account or their Post-Secondary Education Account that can used for expenses like approved school fees and enrichment programmes.
8. Additional support for families with three or more young children
Parents will receive $10,000 (double from the previous $5,000) for their third and subsequent child. This will be credited to the Child Development Account and can be used on expenses like pre-school fees and healthcare costs. Parents will also receive $5,000 via the mother’s MediSave account for the third and subsequent child born from 18 February 2025 onwards, which can be used to offset medical expenses incurred having the child.
Plus, they’ll also get $1,000 annually in LifeSG Credits for their third and additional Singaporean child until they turn six – families who already have three or more children will also receive this for their third and subsequent child until they turn six.
9. Increased support for vulnerable families
Lower-income families will receive more assistance to meet basic living expenses via ComCare from April 2025. There’ll also be additional support for families with children who are currently living in public rental flats – they’ll be able to buy a new two- or three-room flat on a more affordable shorter lease. Plus, they’ll now be included in the Fresh Start Housing Scheme where eligible first-time buyers receive a $75,000 grant.
10. Support for loved ones with special needs: matching top-ups by caregivers
Caregivers of loved ones with special needs who fall within the lower- and middle-income bracket will be able to get additional support. If the caregiver has set aside money in trust accounts in the Special Needs Trust Company, they will get a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $10,000.
References:
The Straits Times
Ministry of Finance, Singapore
The Business Times
CNA
ClearTax
National Day Rally 2024: Key takeaways for families in Singapore
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong kicked off his first National Day Rally with a bang! He unveiled exciting new measures for a “refreshed Singapore Dream,” promising big changes for companies, workers, families, students, and singles. What’s in it for families living in Singapore? Here’s all you need to know.
Here are some key takeaways concerning families and individuals in Singapore.
1. Parents of newborns will get an extra 10 weeks of shared parental leave, boosting total paid leave to 7.5 months
Here’s some excellent news for new parents! By 2026, parents will get 10 weeks of shared parental leave, up from the current four weeks. Parents will be able to split the leave as needed, with adjustments to be made within four weeks of the child’s birth. Parents can use the shared parental leave within the first 12 months of their bub’s arrival. The new scheme will be rolled out in phases, with the goal of providing more support for working parents.
From 1 April 2025: Parents will get six weeks of shared parental leave. Plus, fathers will also receive four weeks of mandatory paternity leave, which is up from the current two weeks!
From 1 April 2026: Parents will get 10 weeks of shared parental leave. This new scheme will replace the old plan and include both mothers and fathers.
2. Housing enhancements for couples, singles and aged
The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant will increase, giving lower-income couples up to $120,000 for their first home. From mid-2025, singles will get priority for BTO flats near their parents, joining married couples in this benefit. The government is also considering making existing homes more senior-friendly and launching new elderly-friendly housing with care services.
This update aims to ensure affordable housing for young couples and improve housing options for singles and seniors. PM Wong also noted that the government’s plan to build 100,000 new flats by 2025 will help stabilise the property market.
3. Revamp of the Gifted Education Programme (GEP)
The Gifted Education Programme (GEP) will end in its current form. Instead of being offered in nine schools, all primary schools will now identify and support high-ability students. For additional enrichment, these students will join regional after-school modules.
This change aims to improve the support of all high-ability students, not just those in specific schools, and make the education system more inclusive. Schools with more disadvantaged students will also receive extra resources.
4. Higher Mother Tongue Learning in secondary schools
PM Wong said in his Mandarin speech that more students will be able to take higher mother tongue as a subject, with plans to lower the eligibility criteria. Currently, if students wish to take Higher Chinese Language (HCL) in secondary school, they must attain a certain overall Primary School Leaving Examination score to be eligible. This used to exclude those who did well in Chinese but did not meet the PSLE score requirement. The change will allow students who are strong in Chinese to take HCL from Secondary 1. Students who wish to take Higher Malay and Higher Tamil will also benefit.
The policy tweak means those who show aptitude and interest in their mother tongue will soon be able to stretch themselves by taking the subject at a higher level in secondary school without having to attain a certain PSLE score. This is in keeping with moves over the years — such as full subject-based banding, which took effect in 2024 — for students to take subjects at a higher or lower level based on their strengths and to evolve the education system to stay fit for purpose. The change will nurture more students proficient in the Chinese language, and it is part of the government’s commitment to support the cultivation of bilingual capability in Singapore.
Budget 2024 for families in Singapore
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong faced a massive wish list from all corners of society prior to the Budget 2024 in February! Academics, economists, labour groups, and even regular citizens have poured in their ideas, covering everything from disruption in the age of AI to cushioning families and businesses from soaring costs. Experts always expect the Singapore Budget to cover critical concerns, namely support for lower-income workers, greening the economy, and even boosting parenthood to tackle Singapore’s demographic dip.
Family matters are close to our hearts, so we reviewed the Singapore Budget 2024 to find out what’s in it for families.
What is the Singapore Budget all about?
A government budget is like a financial roadmap for the year, detailing where the money comes from and where it goes (think healthcare, education, and even defence). It’s the government’s way of informing citizens, “Here’s where we’re splurging dollars this year, given our needs as a whole!” Simply put, it’s a huge receipt showing us where every dollar goes and who’s keeping an eye on it.
The Budget Cycle
The Budget cycle begins every year before the Financial Year in April. In the lead-up to the unveiling of the Budget, ministers may often hint at what to expect. For example, you might have caught a whiff of how Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong encouraged Singaporeans to consider having a baby dragon this year, so we can anticipate that the Singapore Budget 2024 will unveil measures encouraging parenthood.
On Budget Day (held this year on 16 February 2024), the Finance Minister struts into Parliament. MPs get to grill the Government on last year’s spending and this year’s wishlist in a lively debate. Even though the governing People’s Action Party holds sway in Parliament with its MPs voting along party lines, Budget Day is expected to be a crucial occasion. It’s when major policy shifts and programs are revealed and where debates can shape or refine proposed initiatives.
Once Parliament gives the nod of approval, it’s up to the President to seal the deal. His job? Making sure we don’t dip too deep into our rainy-day savings, aka reserves. If he’s cool with the plan, it’s game on — the Budget becomes law, telling everyone exactly where the money’s headed.
So, next time you hear about the Singapore Budget, remember that it’s not just numbers on paper, but a blueprint for turning policy dreams into reality.
Singapore Budget 2024
The Singapore Budget 2024 brought significant updates affecting everyone. Speculation is rife about whether it was a “General Election Budget” — given that the next General Elections will take place next year, in light of the leadership transition which happened with Lawrence Wong becoming the Prime Minister of Singapore. Notably, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has risen to 9% by January 2024, coupled with Singapore’s ranking as one of the most expensive cities. The rising cost of living weighs heavily on citizens from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.
We looked closely at measures to help reduce costs and significant payouts to help with costs for families in Singapore when Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong delivered the Budget statement — themed Building Our Shared Future Together.
Key takeaways from the Budget 2024 for families in Singapore
1. Additional $600 in CDC Vouchers
About 1.4 million Singaporean households will receive an additional $600 in CDC vouchers, half of which will be disbursed at the end of June and the other half in January 2025. The vouchers will be split equally between spending at participating merchants, hawkers, and supermarkets.
2. Cost-of-Living payout of up to $400 for eligible Singaporean adults
Some 2.5 million Singaporeans age 21 and above will receive cash payouts of between $200 and $400 in September 2024. To qualify, you must have an assessable income of not more than $100,000 and not own more than one property. Those who earn less than $22,000 annually will receive $400, while those who earn between $22,000 and $34,000 annually will earn $300. Singaporeans who earn between $34,000 and $100,000 will receive $200.
3. One-off U-save rebates of up to $950 for eligible HDB households
The rebates will be given out in April, July and October this year, and in January 2025.
4. Up to 4 months worth of Service and Conservancy Rebates
Households living in one- and two-room HDB flats will receive four months of such rebates, while those living in three- and four-room flats will receive three months of the rebates. Those in larger flats will receive two to 2.5 months of S&CC rebates. Similar to the U-Save rebates, you can expect the S&CC rebate to be given out in April, July and October 2024 and in January 2025.
5. Lower preschool & childcare fees for government-supported preschools
Preschool fees will be capped at $650 for anchor operators and $680 for partner operators before childcare subsidies. Higher subsidies will be given to all children from lower-income families, including those with non-working
mothers.
6. Housing for young families: more BTO flats and more rental options for those waiting for their flat completion
Young couples can look forward to more affordable BTO flats starting in late 2024 for new BTO projects.
In addition to the existing Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (which gives couples the chance to rent temporary housing while waiting for the completion of their BTO flat) the government will now be offering an Open Market voucher to couples for one year, giving them the chance to rent from the open market.
The Ministry of National Development will announce more details on the voucher at a later date.
7. More support for children with special needs: Caps to SPED school fees
The government will reduce the maximum monthly fees at special education (SPED) schools to $90 (previously $150). Fee caps at all special student care centres will also be lowered to reduce families’ out-of-pocket expenses.
Watch this space for more details on the policies for families!
References:
The Straits Times
The Business Times
Ministry of Finance, Singapore
