CRITICAL ALERT: Since today is 18 December 2025, you have less than two weeks left to use your expiring credits.

Most physical classes (like swimming or gym) for 2025 have already closed their registration. If you try to book a class starting in January 2026, you cannot use the expiring 2020 Top-Up credits (as the course must commence before 31 Dec 2025).

Your best (and likely only) option now is to purchase an Annual Learning Subscription (e.g., Coursera, ZilLearn) which allows you to "start" immediately and use the credits for health/wellness content throughout the next year.

URGENT: Your $500 SkillsFuture Credits Are Expiring in 2 Weeks (Use It or Lose It)

If you haven't checked your SkillsFuture account recently, do it now.

For many Singaporeans, $500 worth of "One-Off Top-Up" credits (given in 2020) will officially expire on 31 December 2025. The government has confirmed there will be no extension. This expiry was designed as a "nudge" to encourage timely upskilling, meaning if you don't use it by the end of this year, the money is forfeited permanently.

The "Rules" for Expiring Credits

1. Course Start Date: The course must effectively start on or before 31 December 2025.

2. Payment Date: You must submit your claim in the portal before the deadline.

3. The Trap: You cannot use these specific expiring credits to prepay for a class starting in January 2026.

The Strategy: "The Subscription Hack"

Since it is already mid-December, most physical health workshops are full or closed. The smartest way to "save" your $500 is to buy an Annual Subscription to a learning platform (like Coursera or ZilLearn).

• Why this works: The subscription "starts" the day you buy it (in 2025), satisfying the requirement.

• The Benefit: You get access to thousands of courses (including Health, Nutrition, and Yoga) for the next 12 months.

1. The "Last Minute Saver" (Under $500)

Best for: Saving your expiring credits immediately before the Dec 31 cut-off.

These are online subscriptions that contain hundreds of wellness courses. You can claim the subscription fee using your expiring credits.

Coursera via ReallyLesson / Ngee Ann Poly

• Cost: ~$499/year (Fully covered by the $500 credit)

• Registration Deadline: 30 Dec 2025 (Do not wait until the last hour!)

• Health Courses Included: Once subscribed, you can take unlimited courses like:

  • Stanford University's Introduction to Food and Health

  • Yale University's The Science of Well-Being

  • Yoga and Physiology

• How to Buy: Search for "Coursera" on the MySkillsFuture portal and look for the provider "ReallyLesson" or "Ngee Ann Polytechnic".

ZilLearn Premium Subscription

• Cost: ~$198 - $400/year

• Registration Deadline: 30 Dec 2025

• Health Courses Included: ZilLearn hosts a variety of bite-sized lifestyle courses. Look for channels on Mental Wellness, Office Ergonomics, and Basic Nutrition.

• How to Buy: Search for "ZilLearn" on the MySkillsFuture portal.

GnowbeLearn Subscription

• Cost: ~$140/year

• Registration Deadline: 30 Dec 2025

• What to expect: Mobile-first, micro-learning courses. Great for quick tips on Stress Management and Personal Effectiveness on the go.

2. The "Non-Expiring" Options (For Jan 2026 Onwards)

Best for: Using your Opening Credit (doesn't expire) or Mid-Career Credit ($4,000).

If you have already used your expiring top-up (or missed the deadline), you can still sign up for these physical classes using your permanent credits.

Institute of Technical Education (ITE) - Physical Courses

• Status: Open for Jan 2026 Intakes

• Eligibility: Uses Opening Credits / Mid-Career Credits (NOT the expiring 2020 top-up).

• Top Picks:

  • Learn to Swim (Breaststroke): Starts 13 Jan 2026 (~$327)

  • Fitness for Life (Resistance Training): Starts Jan/Feb 2026 (~$207)

  • Active Agers (Fitness Fundamentals): Starts Jan 2026 (~$163)

Republic Polytechnic (RP) - Short Courses

• Status: Open for Jan 2026 Intakes

• Top Picks:

  • Basic Exercise Science: Starts 3 Jan 2026

  • Chair Fitness Instructor: Starts 9 Mar 2026

Summary of Action Plan

1. Check Balance: Log in to MySkillsFuture to see if you have the "One-Off SkillsFuture Credit Top-Up".

2. If YES (and it's >$0): You must spend this before Dec 31. Go for the Coursera or ZilLearn subscription immediately. This is the only safe way to utilize the credit this late in the year.

3. If NO (only Opening/Mid-Career left): Relax. You can book the Jan 2026 swimming or gym courses listed above at your leisure.

Warning: The portal often experiences high traffic during the last week of the year. Do not wait until Dec 31 to log in.