This week, it’s all about changes you’ll want to get ahead of—some welcome, others… less so.
CareShield Life is getting a payout boost, but there’s a catch for your premiums.
KrisFlyer miles won’t stretch quite as far soon, especially if you’re flying long-haul.
ERP rates are climbing again, right as traffic builds along key expressways.
A popular rewards card just became more useful for commuters—though with new monthly caps.
And in the world of wanderlust, a new travel survey reveals just how far Singaporeans will go (literally) to prioritise their next trip.
Whether you’re planning, paying, or just plain curious, here are 5 stories to help you stay sharp this week. Let’s dive in.
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CareShield Life: Monthly payouts to rise, premiums to follow from 2026
From 2026, Singaporeans on CareShield Life will see both payouts and premiums increase. This follows the Government’s acceptance of recommendations from the CareShield Life Council’s latest review.
The big change? The payout growth rate will double from 2% to 4% annually to better match long-term care costs.
Key changes to CareShield Life payouts (2026–2030)
| Year | Current payout | Enhanced payout |
| 2026 | $676 | $689 |
| 2027 | $689 | $717 |
| 2028 | $703 | $745 |
| 2029 | $717 | $775 |
| 2030 | $731 | $806 |
What to expect:
- Average annual premium increase: $38
- Without support, this could have hit $126 in 2026
- $570 million in transitional support to cushion costs:
- $440 million: general support
- $130 million: extra help for low- to middle-income groups
- No one will lose coverage due to inability to pay
CareShield Life, launched in 2020, is Singapore’s national long-term care insurance scheme. It supports individuals with severe disabilities—defined as being unable to do at least three of 6 daily activities like washing or dressing.
From 2026, only individuals without pre-existing disabilities can newly enrol, as the grace period for those with mild to moderate conditions will end.
More support will also be available:
- Eligible individuals can withdraw up to $200/month via MediSave Care
- Payouts and premiums will be reviewed again after 2030 to ensure sustainability
With over 1.9 million people currently covered under CareShield Life and claims expected to grow, the changes aim to strike a balance between protection and affordability.
KrisFlyer devaluation: Redemption rates changing from 1 November 2025
Singapore Airlines has announced an upcoming KrisFlyer devaluation, with changes to its award charts taking effect from 1 Novr 2025. If you’ve been eyeing a redemption flight, now’s a good time to lock it in.
Here’s a quick look at what’s changing:
Saver award bookings:
- Economy (within Asia & SW Pacific): ↓ 5%
- Business & First (within Asia & SW Pacific): ↑ 5%
- All cabins (Europe & USA): ↑ 5%
- All cabins (Africa, Middle East, Turkey): ↑ 10–20%
Advantage award bookings:
- All zones (except Zone 10): ↑ 10–15%
- Zone 10 (Africa/Middle East/Turkey):
- Economy: ↑ 5%
- Business: ↑ 18%
- First/Suites: ↑ 15%
These changes apply only to tickets issued from 1 Nov 2025 onwards. If you book your redemption by 31 Oct 2025, you’ll still enjoy the current award rates.
View the new Singapore Airlines Award Chart.
ALSO READ: How to Earn Miles and Redeem Free Flights with Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer
ERP rates to rise by $1 at 5 expressway stretches from 1 Sep 2025
From Monday, 1 Sep 2025, drivers will have to pay $1 more at 5 ERP locations during selected time slots. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) says the changes aim to manage congestion, following higher traffic volumes in July.
ERP rate changes (from 1 Sep)
| Location and direction | Time | Old rate | New rate |
| AYE (Jurong Town Hall → City) | 730–8 am | $3.00 | $4.00 |
| AYE (North Buona Vista → Tuas) | 530–6 pm | $2.00 | $3.00 |
| 630–7 pm | $1.00 | $2.00 | |
| Southbound CTE (before Braddell Road) | 8–830 am | $2.00 | $3.00 |
| Northbound CTE (after PIE) | 630–7 pm | $3.00 | $4.00 |
| 7–730 pm | $2.00 | $3.00 | |
| PIE (Kallang Bahru & Bendemeer slip road) | 830–9 am | $2.00 | $3.00 |
Other ERP timings and locations remain unchanged for now.
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa changes: 4 mpd on SimplyGo, but category caps coming in October
UOB’s just announced changes to one of their cards, and it’s both a nerf and a buff. From 28 Aug 2025, the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa card will start awarding 10X UNI$ (equivalent to 4 miles per dollar) on SimplyGo transactions using mobile contactless payments. That’s good news for commuters.
But from 1 Oct 2025, cardholders will face separate bonus caps for online and mobile contactless spending categories—essentially a soft nerf for heavy spenders.
What’s changing:
| Period | SimplyGo (Mobile Pay) | Bonus Cap on 10X UNI$ |
| 28 Aug – 30 Sep 2025 | Eligible | Combined cap of UNI$2,000 across both categories |
| From 1 Oct 2025 | Eligible | Separate caps: – Online: UNI$1,080 – Mobile Contactless: UNI$1,080 |
You’ll still get 10X UNI$ for both types of spend, but the total monthly cap on rewards is now split into 2 buckets. Previously, a big spender could hit the full cap with 1 category.
- on Online Shopping, Entertainment & Contactless Payments
- S$5 = 10X UNI$
- on All Other Spend
- S$5 = 1X UNI$
- Rewards to Miles Conversion
- 1 UNI$ = 2 Miles
Skyscanner x Trust study: 2 in 5 Singaporeans prioritise travel over savings goals
Despite inflation and rising costs, 40% of Singaporeans say leisure travel is more important than other financial goals, according to the new Savvy Travel Survey by Skyscanner and Trust Bank.
Conducted with 1,000 respondents, the study paints a clear picture: travel isn’t just a luxury—it’s a life priority.
Key insights:
- 74% plan to take the same number or more trips in the coming year
- 69% find it hard to budget for travel
- 72% worry about keeping travel costs in check
To stretch their dollars, savvy travellers are:
- Booking flights early (45%)
- Travelling off-peak (41%)
- Picking budget destinations (38%)
But challenges persist:
| Financial hurdles | % of travellers affected |
| Finding affordable flights & stays | 44% |
| Sticking to a budget | 40% |
| Handling hidden costs | 30% |
Some practical tips that came out of the study? Be flexible with your travel dates and destinations, consider mixing and matching airlines, and always choose to pay in the local currency when overseas to avoid unnecessary fees.
That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for next week’s What’s Happening This Week to keep up with the latest in finance, business, and beyond.
This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.
About the author
Vanessa Nah likes her finance articles the way she likes her sitcoms—light-hearted, entertaining, and leaving people knowing a little more about life. She believes money—like life—should be made simple. Outside of work, you’ll find Vanessa attending dance classes, fingerpicking a guitar, and fulfilling her life mission to make her one-eyed cat the most spoiled kitty in the world.
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