SingaporeHow is loss of future earnings calculated?
Loss of future earnings in Singapore is calculated based on the victim’s actual loss of earning capacity, assessed objectively with reference to age, health, occupation, and probable career trajectory — not just past earnings.
What the Law Says
The Civil Law Act governs how damages for personal injury — including loss of future earnings — are assessed in Singapore.
Under Singapore law, compensation for loss of future earnings is not a simple projection of past income. Instead, courts assess the plaintiff’s diminished earning capacity — that is, their reduced ability to earn money in the future due to injury.
This assessment considers objective factors such as the plaintiff’s age, physical and mental health before and after the injury, education, work history, occupation, skills, and realistic prospects for advancement or alternative employment.
The aim is to restore the plaintiff, as far as money can, to the financial position they would have been in had the injury not occurred.
Statutory TextIn an action for damages for personal injuries, the court shall, in assessing damages, have regard to the probable duration of the plaintiff's life and to any other matter which appears to it to be relevant to the assessment of damages.
— Civil Law Act, s. 11 — Assessment of damages for personal injuries
What to Do
Gather evidence of your pre-injury earnings (e.g., payslips, CPF statements, IRAS notices).
Obtain medical reports confirming the nature and long-term impact of your injury on work capacity.
Provide vocational evidence (e.g., expert reports or employer letters) on likely career progression or limitations.
Engage a lawyer experienced in personal injury claims to help quantify future loss using accepted actuarial and economic methods.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.