A Reader has recently submitted these following questions (some of these have been edited for the purpose of this blog post) about the Dependants’ Protection… Read More »My Responses To The Questions On The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) And Eldershield
It was two days ago that I received an email comment on one of my earlier posts on the topic of Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) and in it I was asked to provide some advice on why a passed-on family member may not be covered by DPS when it’s obvious that there’s enough CPF money in the account…. and there’s been so much confusion/unhappiness that the family is wondering if they are still able to make claims from it and if so… how can they do so…
(As quoted from the CPF Board website) The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) is an affordable term insurance scheme that provides insured members and their families with some money to get through the first few years should the insured members become permanently incapacitated or pass away.
And for most of its members, they use the money in their CPF-OA account to service the yearly premium. The deduction is usually set to automatic but there’s the usual yearly reminder that the annual premium is due and pending for deduction at a certain date. Insured members are also reminded to make sure that there’s enough money left in the CPF-OA for premium deductions…
If there’s really the case whereby the insured member has no enough money in the CPF-OA account, there will be a letter that’s being sent to notify about the lack of funds and also the alternative to top up the difference with cash at one of the designated Insurance Companies.
Should the insured member forget to make the payment after the grace period, the DPS plan will usually be terminated and an official letter will normally be mailed out to notify as well…
Yeah! It’s the time of the year where people have already planned (and went) their holidays, made out a long list of items to buy (to pamper themselves or just anybody in mind) and collecting their well deserved bonus!
And in the usual Financial Planning sense – if you are one of those who are fond of spending away your bonuses (without even thinking and planning), here are a few tips that you may wish to consider to do so first before happily spending (or wasting) it away…
Note: the tips here are meant for your own good and really to help you with your future. Tips mentioned here are not in order of priority as well.
#1 Think Of Your Previous Purchases (Pampering)
Throughout the year, there have been many various types of sales events and the ease of buying things online has even became easier. If you have made your purchases during those times – it’s time to hold your expenses and think twice before spending your bonuses away. You may wish to consider saving a major bulk of it. If you find it hard to do so, just tell yourself you may get to spend a bit more from this saved amount in next year’s sales events.
Read More »It’s The Time Of The Year – Month For Holiday, Spending & Bonus
This month is one of the few times in the year whereby some PolicyHolders get the letter from our company to notify that their Dependent Protection Scheme or DPS is due for renewal and that they should make sure that their CPF-Ordinary and/or Special account still has sufficient fund to pay for the premiums.
The Issue With People Whom Understand The Plan
Sometimes I feel that Ignorance is Bliss is a better choice because after most PolicyHolders know what is the Dependent Protection Scheme all about, most of them decide to opt-up for the plan… citing the two common reasons like:
Without ever considering the positive side – a low premium for a high sum assured or how useful this lump sum of money is to the family in times of need.
Read More »Should You Keep Your Dependent Protection Scheme (DPS)?
When you buy any life insurance plan, the basic benefits are that you are covered against Death and Total and Permanent Disability. So do you what does this insurance term – Total and Permanent Disability – mean to you?
The General Definition of Total And Permanent Disability (TPD)
It would practically mean that the loss of a pair of limbs (inclusive of eye sight) and being unable to work continuously for six month and thereafter. This, of course, must be certified by a certified Medical Practitioner. If the definition here differs from what you should know, please do refer to the Product Summary of your life insurance and it’ll be explained there.
Do you know that, in Singapore, the coverage for TPD will cease the moment you have reached 65 years old whereas the rest of the coverage like Death or against the 30 Critical Illnesses will still continue.
Life is full of uncertainty and you’ll never know when such an unforeseen circumstance like a stroke will hit you to be permanently disabled – you lose your job permanently, loss of income for your family, you are very much alive and there’ll be a definite financial difficulties as long as you are alive.
Therefore, having a coverage for TPD (some insurance companies will pay a lump sum whereas others may pay a certain limit per month or per year) is beneficial in making sure that you have enough financial assistance to take good care of yourself while you are down.
This is a very good question that I, myself, do not have an accurate answer. In my personal opinion (I may be wrong) is that, the health risk for people to have Stroke or Alzheimer’s Disease (Total and Permanently Disabled) is tremendously high, which could have a serious financial impact on insurance companies to sustain this risk. Therefore they decide to have this general clause of having it till age 65.
Stroke And Alzheimer’s Disease Are On The Rise, So How Do I Get Myself Covered After Age 65?
If you are concerned about getting covered after the age of 65, there is an initiative taken by the CPF Board to help take care of Singaporeans in terms of severe disability, that is the Eldershield Plan, which is offered automatically to Singaporeans and PRs who are CPF members and have turned 40 years old.
Read More »Total and Permanent Disability And That Plan Called ElderShield
