Parents protected by the law

Singapore’s sandwich generation faces serious family responsibilities – and they’re enforceable by law. Singapore’s Maintenance of Parents Act allows parents aged 60 or above to claim maintenance from their children.

Older parents, including stepparents, can request either a monthly allowance or a lump sum and kids who refuse can be taken to court.

Around eight out of 10 cases that wind up in court favour the parents, with adult children often being asked to pay as much as $A300 a month to support their parents.