WHILE I am heartened to hear that lower-income retirees will have more support with the new Silver Support Scheme ("Cash payouts for the poorest elderly"; Tuesday), I am worried that this is a permanent promise of financial support.
Will this be the slippery slope to Western countries' social support schemes?
As our country ages, more retirees can be expected to be on the scheme. Currently, it is an average of $600 in cash each quarter. In the future, with inflation, there will certainly be a call to increase this amount, in line with the increased cost of living.
Any government which then dares to dismantle the scheme due to its unsustainability risks being booted out.
There are other ways to help our less advantaged retirees, instead of making a blanket promise to help all in the bottom 20 per cent to 30 per cent.
Foong Swee Fong
Will this be the slippery slope to Western countries' social support schemes?
As our country ages, more retirees can be expected to be on the scheme. Currently, it is an average of $600 in cash each quarter. In the future, with inflation, there will certainly be a call to increase this amount, in line with the increased cost of living.
Any government which then dares to dismantle the scheme due to its unsustainability risks being booted out.
There are other ways to help our less advantaged retirees, instead of making a blanket promise to help all in the bottom 20 per cent to 30 per cent.
Foong Swee Fong
