By The Ledger desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
Every Singaporean aged 25 and above has an opening SkillsFuture Credit of S$500 for approved courses, and it doesn’t expire. The one-off S$500 top-up given in 2020 expired on 31 December 2025; for those who were aged 40 to 60 in 2020, the unused balance was merged into their mid-career credit instead. Singaporeans aged 40 and above also get a S$4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career), which doesn’t expire but can only be used on about 7,000 selected courses. Full-time learners over 40 can claim a training allowance of up to S$3,000 a month.
Quick facts
- Opening credit: S$500 at age 25, no expiry.
- 2020 top-up: S$500, expired 31 December 2025.
- Mid-career credit: S$4,000 from age 40, no expiry, selected courses.
- Full-time training allowance for over-40s: up to S$3,000 a month, capped at S$72,000.
- Credits can be used on top of course subsidies.
- They don’t cover admin fees or course equipment.
Which credits do I have?
| Credit | Who | Amount | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening credit | Singaporeans aged 25 and above | S$500 | None |
| 2020 top-up | Singaporeans aged 25 and above in 2020 | S$500 | Expired 31 December 2025 |
| Mid-career credit | Singaporeans aged 40 and above | S$4,000 | None |
Check your balance on the MySkillsFuture portal with Singpass.
What can each credit pay for?
The opening credit covers a wide range of approved courses listed on MySkillsFuture, including courses at publicly funded institutions and workplace literacy courses. The mid-career credit is limited to about 7,000 selected courses aimed at substantive upskilling and reskilling, the kind that lead to a new job rather than a hobby.
What’s the training allowance?
Part of the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme. Singaporeans aged 40 and above who take time off for selected full-time courses can receive up to S$3,000 a month, up to S$72,000 over 24 months. An allowance for part-time courses, of S$300 a month, was announced to start in early 2026.
The WahLiao Verdict
Nothing is expiring now, so there’s no rush. Spend the S$4,000 on one course that changes what you can earn, not on five short workshops. The expired 2020 top-up is a reminder to check deadlines when a new one is announced.
Questions people ask
Can I still use my 2020 top-up?
No, unless you were aged 40 to 60 in 2020, in which case the balance was merged into your mid-career credit.
Can I combine credits with subsidies?
Yes. Credits pay the fee left after government course subsidies.
Do PRs get SkillsFuture Credit?
No. The credits are for Singapore citizens.
Can I cash out unused credit?
No. It can only pay for approved courses.
Sources: SkillsFuture Singapore, SkillsFuture Credit; Dollars and Sense on the mid-career credit; Infotech on what expired in 2025; Ask Training on the training allowance. The Ledger explains; it does not advise.
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