Singapore Surpasses LPA Goal: How Legacy Planning Is Becoming a National Priority

Hey folks, have you heard about the massive wave of Singaporeans getting their Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) done? As of August 15, over 350,000 Singaporeans have taken the important step to appoint a trusted person to manage their personal welfare, property, and finances in case they lose mental capacity. That’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?

Let me tell you why this is such a big deal. An LPA allows you to choose someone you trust—often a family member—to handle your affairs if you can’t make decisions yourself anymore. It’s like planning ahead to make sure everything’s taken care of, and it gives peace of mind not just to you, but also to your loved ones.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) had set a goal back in 2023: to get more than 240,000 Singaporeans aged 50 and above to make their LPAs by the end of 2025. Guess what? They’ve already surpassed that goal with about 290,000 people over 50 having done so! Way to go, Singapore!

Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Goh Pei Ming, also shared some other interesting numbers during the 15th anniversary event of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. Over 80,000 Advance Care Planning (ACP) documents have been completed. ACPs are basically where you jot down your preferences for medical treatment ahead of time, so if you lose mental capacity, your wishes are clear. This is super helpful in easing decision-making burdens during difficult times.

Also, about 1.8 million people have made their CPF nominations. That means four out of five people who pass away have already stated who they want their CPF savings to go to. All these steps together are helping Singaporeans get their legacy planning in order—something many tend to put off.

Now, you might be wondering how the government encouraged such a high take-up rate? In July 2023, a nationwide campaign was launched, involving multiple agencies like MSF, CPF Board, and the Agency for Integrated Care. Their collaboration has really made a difference.

Plus, the process has been simplified a lot. The first LPA form, which usually costs about $70, is free for Singapore citizens until March 2026. Also, certification fees can be paid using CDC and SG60 vouchers at participating establishments. And if you prefer not going down the paper trail, there’s a neat online portal launched in 2022 for LPA applications. In 2023, they even integrated LPA applications with the Ministry of Health’s Health Appointment System, so when you book health appointments, you can also see nearby clinics and law firms that help with LPAs.

Minister Goh Pei Ming really summed it up nicely: the OPG’s transformative concept lets people plan for the future, sparking important conversations about one’s preferences and wishes. That way, decisions truly reflect what you stand for, offering peace of mind to you and your family.

One of the event’s highlights was meeting folks like Dr. Raymond Ong, a senior resident medical officer at Mount Alvernia Hospital and a longtime volunteer promoting LPAs since 2017. As someone who works in the medical field, Dr. Ong often sees families caught off-guard when a loved one suddenly can’t make decisions.

He shared a common problem: many people feel LPAs are complicated and intimidating, or they think that if they lose mental capacity, they won’t care about what happens to their assets anyway. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Dr. Ong recalled a heart-wrenching case of a young girl who gathered credit cards from relatives and tried paying for her father’s hospital bills because he hadn’t made an LPA. Situations like these are tough, and it really drives home why having an LPA is one of the smartest moves you can make for your family.

So how do you make an LPA? It’s pretty straightforward. First, you draft the form online on the OPG portal. The person you appoint—called the donee—has to accept the appointment online too. Next, you visit a Certificate Issuer, usually a lawyer, doctor, or psychiatrist, who certifies the LPA for you. Once certified, it gets submitted for registration, and you’re all set.

It’s amazing how far things have come. From paper-heavy processes to comprehensive online systems and integrated government services, Singapore has made legacy planning accessible to more people than ever.

If you haven’t thought about an LPA, an ACP, or even CPF nominations, now’s a perfect time to start. It’s all about looking out for the future and those you care about. Planning ahead is one of the kindest gifts you can give yourself and your family. Don’t wait until it’s too late—take charge of your legacy today!

Want to know more? Head over to the OPG website and explore the options. Legacy planning doesn’t have to be scary or complicated – with the right info and support, it can be a smooth and empowering journey.

Take care and plan smart!