Data on Profile of Persons with Forfeited SkillsFuture Credits and Total Value Involved
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim’s inquiry into the value of SkillsFuture Credits (SFC) forfeited by late 2025 and whether a survey on usage factors is planned. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee stated that the 2020 one-off $500 top-up expires in 2025 to promote active upskilling, whereas Opening and Mid-Career Credits do not expire. About 40% of eligible citizens used the top-up, with usage at 45% for those aged 30 to 60, though utilization is not tracked by income group. Factors for non-use include employer-sponsored training and personal career decisions, as SFC is part of a broader suite of government lifelong learning supports. The Ministry of Education remains focused on encouraging meaningful and relevant training for all Singaporeans, rather than solely on the utilization of these specific credits.
Transcript
73 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the total value of SkillsFuture Credits forfeited following expiry at end-2025, disaggregated by (i) age group and (ii) income group; and (b) whether the Ministry plans to conduct a nationwide survey to study factors influencing SkillsFuture Credit usage.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Government provided a one-off SkillsFuture Credit top-up of $500 to all eligible Singaporeans aged 25 and above in 2020. Unlike the Opening Credit of $500 given at age 25 and the Mid-Career Credit of $4,000 given at age 40 that do not expire, this top-up had a validity period of five years and expired by the end of 2025. This was intended to encourage individuals to take active steps in upskilling or picking up a new skill.
About 40% of eligible Singaporeans had used their one-off SkillsFuture Credit top-up before expiry. Among those aged 30 to 60, the figure is higher at around 45%. We do not track utilisation by income group.
There are various reasons why individuals may have chosen not to use the SkillsFuture Credit top-up. Some could have attended training that was sponsored by their employers and others could have decided that they do not need to attend additional training at this point in their career. The SkillsFuture Credit is just one of many ways that Government supports Singaporeans in their lifelong learning journey. More importantly, our goal is to encourage and support Singaporeans to undergo meaningful and relevant training, whether or not they tap on SkillsFuture Credit to do so.