SINGAPORE: Wealthy 'Don't Live Longer,' Says Minister

WEALTHY 'DON'T LIVE LONGER' They may face more health woes: Minister By Ansley Ng SINGAPORE (Today), February 18, 2008: Some Singaporeans are worried that the poor may not live long enough to receive the monthly payouts under the newly-unveiled CPF Life annuity scheme, fearing that the rich may benefit most because they have better access to healthcare - and thus a longer life span. Allaying their concerns yesterday, Mr Lim Boon Heng, the Minister-in-Charge of ageing issues, said there is no proof that wealthy people live longer. "There are many poor people today who have to rely on community support such as old-age homes and they live to a 100-plus. "Surely, they don't have as much access to money to look after their health or to good food," said Mr Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. But wealthy people might face health woes more easily because of the rich foods they consume. "If you talk about heart attacks, I think there is a higher prevalence among those who have the resources and therefore overeat," he added. Currently, there is a lack of official data - deaths are tracked in terms of age and gender - to determine if affluent folk live longer. CPF Life, a scheme that provides eligible Central Provident Fund members with a lifelong monthly income from the age of 65 or later if they so choose, will start operating in 2013. Mr Lim was speaking to reporters yesterday in Punggol South at the launch of the second site of the Wellness Programme, a two-year pilot plan managed by NTUC ElderCare to provide information and services for elderly folk. Commenting on last Friday's Budget announcement, which was tweaked to help the elderly, Mr Lim said it recognised the role they played in nation building. "So, the older a person is, the bigger the handout from the state. We also recognise that senior citizens today did not have as much time to accumulate savings in their CPF," he said. "So, it is right that when the Government can afford it, top-ups to their CPF and Medisave accounts would be made." The Budget will "go a long way to meeting people's concerns about the rising cost of living", he added. Mr Lim urged Singaporeans to work together to generate economic growth and be more self-reliant, not "burden the state with responsibilities" that will keep growing. When times are good, Budget surpluses will be handed down to the people, he added. "When we have a good year, whoever is the Minister for Finance can be like cai shen ye (the God of Fortune) and give out goodies to every family," said the minister. Copyright ©2005 MediaCorp Press Ltd