As I was doing some readings on a newspaper commentary from class, I was struck by the fact of how oblivious I am with regards to the current policies and schemes in Singapore to support our vulnerable populations. I reflect with trepidation my relative ignorance even on schemes under CPF that support the aged in the community, such as the CPF life Scheme. I wonder whether the general social work populous, and also other helping professions working with older adults (or any other vulnerable groups) are aware of changes and updates in policies, available programmes, and schemes that should be discussed with our clients. The nature of Generalist practice in the family service settings in singapore may make it an onerous task towards ensuring that we are kept up to date with the latest happenings and goings on in legislation and polity, but I think the onus and responsibility is also on us to share the latest information and process them in our discussions with our client, both at the casework and the community level.
If our ignorance and limited knowledge of available programmes and schemes is a microcosm of the perceptions of the general Singapore population, then it would be inevitable that clients who stand to benefit from such programmes instead fall through the cracks. If we claim to work from a person in Environment perspective, then ultimately we need to take appropriate and standardised steps towards ensuring that social workers and other professionals are updated with up to date information on programmes and services.
Anyway heres what I wrote, if you care to read:
The CPF Life
Scheme
McInnis-Dittrich (2009)
stressed the need for social workers to be aware of the various income supports
and insurance plans to support older adults as part of a comprehensive
biopsychosocial assessment. The CPF life Scheme is one such scheme that
Singaporean Social Workers may need to know about so as to better support older
adults at the individual and community level.
The Asia Insurance Review (1 March 2010)
has identified insurance protection as an important aspect of long-term care
for older adults in Asian countries. The elderly population is expected to
quadruple to 1.2 billion by 2050. In Singapore, the population above the age of
65 is expected to grow more than 3 times to 900, 000 in 20 years time (Straits
Times: 5 March 2010). The onus of economic responsibility is hence placed on
informal caregivers to support our aging population, with the continuing decrease
of the old age support ratio: where the number of Singaporeans aged 15 to 64 to
Singaporeans aged 65 has decreased from 11.8 in 1990 to 8.3 in 2009
(Balakrishnan: 2010).
The Central Provident Fund (CPF), Singapore’s system
of mandatory savings for retirement, has been identified by Singapore’s
ministers to be the main economic tool to address the economic needs of our
aging population (Balakrishnan: 2010 & Lim: 2010). The CPF Life scheme is an
annuity component of the CPF, addressing the increase in life expectancy by
providing monthly payouts for Singaporeans from age 62 to 65 until the end of
their lives, as opposed to the previous minimum income scheme that provides
payouts for 20 years. Those born during or after 1955 are automatically
included in the programme, if they have at least $40, 000 in their retirement
account. Those born earlier have the option to opt in after September 2009 (www.cpf.gov.sg ).
Theoretically, such a scheme is extremely sound: it
provides security in terms of regular monthly payouts for the older adult for
the rest of her life. It also has the added potential of encouraging family care
giving through its system of allowing the older adult to set aside funds as
bequests for her beneficiaries (varies according to the different plans).
However, public response to this scheme seems to be muted, reflected in the
article by low take up rates of less than 6 percent from the total number of
Singaporeans who are eligible to opt into the scheme.
Potential
Implications and Challenges
Financial security is the fundamental aspect of any
social work intervention and a pertinent component in holistic long-term care
for older adults. The CPF Life scheme is hence a useful scheme to address this
need. The unpopularity for the scheme may be detrimental to its successful
financing in Singapore. Even more
alarming is the fact that lower income CPF members “shun” the scheme, preferring
the minimum sum scheme due to higher payouts from the latter. This group is at higher risk of economic
instability should their savings run out after the age of 82.
Compulsory opt-ins thus seem justified, though they
may need to be complemented with extensive public education to both recipients
and their caregivers about increased life expectancy, and to clear any
confusions about the changes made to the scheme in August 2010. Social Workers may therefore need to
extend their efforts at the grassroots level to effectively relay information
to the masses. Research may also need to be conducted in exploring the perceptions
of the elderly with regards to increased life expectancy.
$ 77million in government funds is currently being
siphoned into supporting active ageing, with the focus on the health and social
development of older adults (Straits Times: 5 March 2010). This would
potentially contribute to further increase in life expectancy in Singapore, increasing
the need to ensure that older adults are able to support themselves
financially.
Of even more concern is the plight of those who are
unable to qualify for the scheme if they do not have sufficient funds in their
retirement accounts. Perhaps some of the government funds set aside for active
ageing may be redirected to potential CPF top up schemes for Singaporeans who narrowly
miss out on being included.
The
CPF life scheme is a public scheme that potentially benefits older adults from
the middle to higher income sector, but there are concerns over the
availability of security schemes for the lower income population in Singapore.
These are Singaporeans who may not have enough CPF funds to even come close to
qualifying for such schemes. A check on the Straits Times Factiva reveals a
dearth in media coverage and research on this vulnerable population. Questions
hence arise as to how this population would synergize with Singapore’s “Many
Helping Hands” approach where social assistance is provided on a short-term
basis to promote individual empowerment through employment (www.centralsingaporecdc.org.sg)
Underlying
Singapore’s aging population are financial implications faced by the “sandwiched”
population, who may be burdened with the financial and social needs of caring
for their children, and also their elderly parents. Economists and social
workers are hence faced with the arduous task to identify the implications of
the ageing population on low-income families, and formulate effective policies
and schemes to protect and support this population.
Mohamed
Fareez
References
1. Ang Yiying,, & Quek, Caroline, (5 March 2010). $100m to support seniors as Singapore Ages. The Straits Times.
2. Asia Insurance Review (1 March 2010). Think Tank – Insuring Long-Term Care Risk
3. CPF Life Scheme (2010). Retrieved on 22 March 2010 from www.cpf.gov.sg
4. CPF Minimum Sum Scheme (2010). Retrieved on 22 March 2010 from www.cpf.gov.sg
5. Central Singapore Community Development Council Social and Employment Services, (2010). Retrieved on 22 March 2010 from www.centralsingaporecdc.org.sg
6. McInnis-Dittrich, K. (2009), Social Work with Older Adults: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Assessment and Intervention (3rd Edition). Pearson Education: Boston.
7. Singapore Government News, 4 March 2010. Minister for Prime Minister’s Office Lim Boon Heng Speaks at Committee of Supply 2010-Aging Issues.
8. Singapore Government News, 29 March 2010. Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan speaks at Ee Peng Liang Forum.
9. The Straits Times, 17 August 2010. About the Scheme. Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
http://omnicef250mg.webs.com/apps/blog/show/14767187-omnicef-capsules
omnicef wikipedia
http://omnicef250mg.webs.com/apps/blog/show/14766838-side-effect-of-cefdinir
omnicef prescription dosage strep
http://omnicef250mg.webs.com/apps/blog/show/14766014-omnicef-coverage
cefdinir 125mg
Posted by: jicPvr | 05/15/2012 at 05:34 PM
i like it
Posted by: external link | 03/29/2013 at 06:09 PM
You unquestionably put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Excellent stuff, just great!
Posted by: michael jordan shoes | 05/09/2013 at 01:10 PM
[url=http://www.4s992s8z0Xk9C7kSANlr4t.com/]HVpBDNaP[/url]
HVpBDNaP
HVpBDNaP http://www.4s992s8z0Xk9C7kSANlr4t.com/
Posted by: HVpBDNaP | 05/09/2013 at 01:16 PM
Aging Schemes and Policies - DO NO HARM cheap jordans http://jordans.eu.pn/ cheap jordans
Posted by: cheap jordans | 05/09/2013 at 06:33 PM
Aging Schemes and Policies - DO NO HARM pig http://www.japan-guide.com/ pig
Posted by: pig | 05/13/2013 at 10:21 PM
Aging Schemes and Policies - DO NO HARM Mulberry Outlet http://www.shopmulberrysoutlet.co.uk Mulberry Outlet
Posted by: Mulberry Outlet | 05/15/2013 at 09:44 PM
Aging Schemes and Policies - DO NO HARM ralph lauren polo http://www.loraabe.com/ ralph lauren polo
Posted by: ralph lauren polo | 05/15/2013 at 09:44 PM
Aging Schemes and Policies - DO NO HARM Coach Bags http://shopping.yahoo.com/coach-bags--shop/ Coach Bags
Posted by: Coach Bags | 05/15/2013 at 09:44 PM
Aging Schemes and Policies - DO NO HARM 群发 http://www.jitesi.com/gscraper/explain/ 群发
Posted by: 群发 | 05/17/2013 at 05:15 PM
Я понимаю, что они прислали тебя, чтобы поднять наш рейтинг. Я знаю об игре, в которую ты играешь. Я слышу вокруг,что, может быть, она позвонила насчет меня.
Сайт знакомств бисексуалок
Сайты знакомств для свидетелей иеговы
Знакомства и спорт сургут
Знакомства-советск калининградская обл
Знакомства только для гей-секса белгород
Чат знакомств г пермь
Плохие отзывы о знакомствах в орле
Где стоят шлюхи в иркутске
там
Жека знакомства 36 молдова
Мобильные знакомства горск
Сексзнакомствазнакомства для секса
Знакомства для переезда в деревню
Зеленоград знакомства телефоны
Знакомства таджикистан душанбе
Псков знакомства настена
Знакомства за 30 иваново
Рассылка через сайт знакомств
Чат знакомств иркутской области
Знакомство в г сыктывкар с интимом
Поиск знакомства бершадь украина
Знакомства в мзраиле
Знакомства г чита рост обл
Порка знакомства
Сайты английских знакомств
Я есть принцесса. Никогда не знаешь, какое там время года. Эй, кто приказал вам встать кругом? Это тебе. Ты любишь эту группу, правда? а все равно больно. Подняли бы шум. ы берешь пистолет? Нет, ничего. Я согласен с этим. Наше изобретение не прибрали к рукам энергокомпании. На это у тебя тоже есть умные ответы психотерапевта? Она засиделась, мы предложили ей переночевать у нас. Если мне не понравится на Венере, ты прилетишь забрать меня оттуда? Нет, он просто шутит. Но я не в кого не влюбилась. Подгурский, возвращайтесь к нам. Ничего я не выкручиваюсь. Я честная. Я слишком силён! Меня с души воротилоот этих пошлых любовных романов. Но это достает. Оцепить здание и обыскать.
Поиск знакомства ростов Сайты знакомств кому за 35 Знакомства международные люкс кызыл Знакомства лилипутов и карликов Два сердца знакомства Знакомства для грубого секса сыктывкар там Познакомлюсь с эмочкой Чаты и знакомства в уляновске Благовещенск знакомство лове Знакомства секс за деньги екатеринбург Обзор сайта знакомств dating Знакомства мусульманов Познакомлюсь щекотка Знакомство девушка 22-26 г псков
Позаботься о себе. Так. Переведите мне всё, и я подарю вам пачку сигарет. Как хорошо, что я попал в эту пирамиду! как и мне он часто снится. Да ты шутишь! Убийца может получить миллион за телевизионное интервью? Ты и то, и другое, мусульманка и турчанка,поняла? Вы уж извините. Его истинная трагедия заключалась в одиночествеи в растущей нетерпимости к тем, кто не был не способен его понять. Делимся на два отряда. Максимум, шесть.
Posted by: ragai | 08/05/2013 at 04:12 AM