ABSTRACT
This chapter founds that the Singapore government needs to provide more support to older people and a greater commitment is necessary to treat the sexes equally. In the last two decades the proportion of women heading households has remained unchanged. That is, about 80 per cent of all households are headed by males by virtue of their incomes and traditional roles. Female mortality is generally lower than that for men and higher longevity is the norm for older women. Most income differentials by age and gender may be explained through educational-occupational and skills attainment levels. Homogeneous skills at both ends of the educational scale tend to reduce income inequalities, but when the better-educated workers experience higher demand, the income gap will widen. In Singapore, healthcare, pension and housing are managed through the Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme. This is a pro-family, defined contribution scheme where the individual's benefits are derived from total contributions accumulated plus the interest earned.
