Insurance Health & Wealth Talk

Ten Simple Steps to keep your blood pressure under control, DRUG FREE

2009-08-17T20:49:00.005+08:00

What Is High Blood Pressure (Or Hypertension)And Why Is It Dangerous?

Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts on your arteries as it flows through your body. If you have high blood pressure it means that your blood is exerting too much force on your arteries and is making your heart's job--pumping blood--more difficult than it should be.

Now, your heart is a powerful and efficient muscle, but if it's forced to work too hard for too long it can enlarge, wear out or fail, causing a heart attack, stroke, aneurysm... and an early death.

When you have your blood pressure taken, you're given two numbers referred to as your Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure.

Your Systolic blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure your blood exerts on your arteries when your heart beats, while your Diastolic blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure your blood exerts on your arteries when your heart is at rest.

If your blood pressure consistently reads in the Hypertension or Pre-hypertension categories, then you need to take immediate and lasting action if you want to live a long and healthy life.

According to the American Heart Association, about 65 Million Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure. That's about one in three adults.

In 2003 more than 52,000 Americans died from complications related to high blood pressure. Between 1993 and 2004 the rate of death from high blood pressure rose nearly 30 percent.

To learn more about how you can normalize your high blood pressure DRUG Free within 3weeks or less -
Click Here!

A SIMPLE NEEDLE CAN SAVE THE LIFE OF A STROKE PATIENT

2009-08-10T10:57:00.005+08:00

That I know of - Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.

Just by using a needle in a life threatening situation and where medical attention is not readily available.

It’s from a Chinese Professor .

Keep a syringe or needle in your home to do this.... It's amazing and an unconventional way of recovering from stroke, read it through it can help somebody one day.

This is amazing. Please keep this very handy. Excellent tips.

Do take a minute to read what the Professor said :-

His father was paralyzed and later died from the result of a stroke. I wish I knew about this first aid before.

When stroke strikes, the capillaries in the brain will gradually burst. (Irene Liu)

When a stroke occurs, stay calm.

No matter where the victim is, do not move him/her. Because, if moved, the capillaries will burst.

Help the victim to sit up where he/she is to prevent him/her from falling over again and then the blood letting can begin .

If you have in your home an injection syringe that would be the best.

Otherwise, a sewing needle or a straight pin will do.

1. Place the needle/pin over fire to sterilize it and then use it to prick the tip of all ..10 fingers.
2. There are no specific acupuncture points, just prick about an mm from the fingernail.
3. Prick till blood comes out.
4. If blood does not start to drip, then squeeze with your fingers.
5. When all 10 digits is bleeding, wait a few minutes then the victim will regain consciousness.
6. If the victim ' s mouth is crooked , then pull on his ears until they are red.
7. Then prick each earlobe twice until two drops of blood comes from each earlobe.

After a few minutes the victim should regain consciousness.

Wait till the victim regains his normal state without any abnormal symptoms then take him to the hospital. Otherwise, if he was taken in the ambulance in a hurry to the hospital, the bumpy trip will cause all the capillaries in his brain to burst.

If he could save his life, barely managing to walk, then it is by the grace of his ancestors.. 'I learned about letting blood to save life from Chinese traditional doctor, Ha Bu Ting, who lives in Sun Juke.

Furthermore, I had practical experience with it. Therefore, I can say this method is 100% effective. In 1979, I was teaching in Fung Gaap College in Tai Chung.

One afternoon, I was teaching a class when another teacher came running to my classroom and said in panting, 'Ms Liu, come quick, our supervisor has had a stroke ! ' . I immediately went to the 3rd floor. When I saw our supervisor, Mr. Chen Fu Tien, his colour was off, his speech was slurred , his mouth was crooked - all the symptoms of a stroke.

I immediately asked one of the practicum students to go to the pharmacy outside the school to buy a syringe , which I used to prick Mr. Chen's 10 fingers tips.

When all 10 fingers were bleeding (each with a pea-sized drop of blood), after a few minutes, Mr. Chen's face regained its colour and his eyes' spirit returned,

But his mouth was still crooked . So I pulled on his ears to fill them with blood . When his ears became red, I pricked his right earlobe twice to let out two drops of blood .

When both earlobes had two drops of blood each , a miracle happened .

Within 3-5 minutes the shape of his mouth returned to normal and his speech became clear.

We let him rest for a while and have a cup of hot tea , then we helped him go down the stairs, drove him to Wei Wah Hospital He rested one night and was released the next day to return to school to teach.. Everything worked normally.

There were no ill after effects.

On the other hand, the usual stroke victim usually suffers Irreparable bursting of the brain capillaries on the way to the hospital. As a result, these victims never recover. ' (Irene Liu)Therefore, stroke is the second cause of death. The lucky ones will stay alive but can remain paralysed for life.

It is such a horrible thing to happen in ones life.

If we can all remember this blood letting method and start the life saving process immediately , in a short time, the victim will be revived and regain 100% normality”

Gallstones - Removes Them Naturally

2009-02-20T12:44:00.011+08:00

I chanced upon reading a booket titled "TOTAL NATURAL HEALTH APPROACH TOWARDS RECOVERY AND NO MORE CANCER" by Dr Lai Chiu Nan in her talk in Singapore in 1993.

Gallstones may not be everyone's concern. But they should be. Because we all have them. Moreover, gallstones may lead to cancer.

"Cancer is never the first illness," Chiu-Nan points out. "Usually, there are a lot of other problems leading up to cancer. In her research in China, she came across some material which says that people with cancer usually have gallstones."

"We all have gallstones. It's a matter of big or small, many or few. One of the symptoms of gallstones is a feeling of bloatedness after a heavy meal. You feel like you can't digest the food. If it gets more serious, you feel pain in the liver area."

So if you think you have gallstones, she offers the following method to remove them naturally.

The treatment is also good for those with a weak liver, because the liver and gallbladder are closely linked.

Below is the method :-

** For the lst five days, take four glasses of apple juice every day or eat four or five apples, whichever you prefer. Apple juice softens the gallstones.
During the five days, eat normally.

** On the 6th day, take no dinner. At 6.00 pm, take a teaspoon
of Epsom Salt [magnesium sulphate] with a glass of warm water.
At 8.00 pm,repeat the same. Magnesium sulphate opens the gallbladder ducts.

** At 10.00 p.m., take 1/2 cup olive [or sesame] oil with 1/2 cup
fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and drink it. The oil lubricates the
stones to ease their passage.

The next morning, you will find green stones in your stools.

"Usually they float", Chiu-Nan noted. "You might want to count them.
I have had people who passes 40, 50 or up to 100 stones, Very many."

She also pointed out that even if you don't have any symptoms of
gallstones, you still might have some. It's always good to give
your gall bladder a clean-up now and then. You'll find that your
digestion is much better afterwards.

Hope you find the above informative and helpful.

So much to share. Take care of your health and regards.

[Words of caution : in your own interest, I recommend that you consult your family doctor if you feel that you have stones in your gallbladder.]

How To Expand Your Savings By Up To 6 Times!

2009-01-09T11:59:00.002+08:00

Hi Folks

Something exciting to share with you. NTUC INCOME has just launched a new product for you to expand your saving as you like called SAIL [Save As I Like.]

Are you looking for a place to park your hard-earned money to generate more money for a gracious retirement or for your child's future educational need? This is a plan that you must have a look. You save and you are protected against Death and Total & Permanent Disability [TPD] at the same time.

That I know of there is no product in the market today that is comparable to this one. It is the first endowment plan to combine a savings/accumulation period and payout period to meet the retirment and other needs. This plan ensures that you receive a regular stream of income after retirement.

So SAIL aims to offer you :-

* medium to long term savings options
* minimum annual bonus rate of 1.60% pa in the first 10 policy years
* regular retirement income stream during the payout period
* attractive returns during payout period
* coverage for Death throughout the whole policy term or TPD [before age 65]

Please drop me an email or contact me if you need to know more about this plan. You may also wish to have a quick look by clicking on the link below :-

http://www.income.com.sg/insurance/SAIL/

To all my visitors may I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy & Prosperous 2009

What Makes Green Tea Superior Than Other Ordinary Tea!

2008-12-07T11:00:00.007+08:00

I have heard much about people consuming Green Tea but am ignorant of the beneficial benefits one derives from this drink. Now I know better and would like to share what I know with you folks.

Tea Culture

Tea drinking is not a conscious or deliberate act but simply a part of life. That I learned of it has been part of our Asian culture close to 5000 years ago.

History of Green Tea

Green Tea orginates from China. Associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan to Middle East and the West.

What About Japanese Green Tea

Compared to Green Tea from China and other countries, I'm amazed to learn that Japanese Green Tea is distinguished by its pre-process method. Fresh tea leaves are briefly steamed right after they're picked to de-active the enzymes that would otherwise encourage oxidation. This unique process accounts for the fact that Japanese Green Tea preserves almost every good-for-your-health property i.e. the fresh leaves.

So what makes Green Tea superior than other ordinary tea then?

Well, Green Tea is the most natural and 'true' tea since it is made from unfermented/unoxidized leaves unlike oolong tea and black tea which undergo fermentation. Hence lowering its nutrients content.

What is Polyphenol catechins?

Apparently, there are 5 types of catechins in Green Tea viz:-

> Gallocatechin [GC]
> Epicatechin [EC]
> Epigallocatechin [EGC]
> Epicatechin gallate [ECG]
> Epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG] - the most potent catechin

Wow! There are 25 reasons why one should start drinking Green Tea?

01 - CANCER : reduce the risk of cancer
02 - HEART DISEASE : prevent heart diseases and stroke
03 - ANTI-AGING : Fights against aging and promote longevity
04 - WEIGHT LOSS : Green Tea burns fat and boosts metabolism
rate naturally
05 - SKIN : it protects skin from wrinkling, skin aging and against skin cancer
06 - ARTHRITIS : it prevents and reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis
07 - BONES : it has fluoride content which helps you preserve your bone density
08 - CHOLESTEROL : lower cholesterol level
09 - OBESITY : prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells
10 - DIABETES : improves lipid and glucose metabolisms
11 - ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE : it helps slow the process of
reduced acetylcholine in the brain which leads to Alzheimer's
12 - PARKINSON'S : prevents against cell damage in the brain
which could cause the disease
13 - LIVER DISEASE : destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers
14 - HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE : keeps your blood pressure down
by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure
15 - FOOD POISONING : can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning
16 - BLOOD SUGAR : polyphenols and polysaccharides help lower
blood sugar level
17 - IMMUNITY : polyphenols & flavenoids boost your
immune system to fight against infections
18 - COLD & FLU : prevents you from getting a cold and flu
19 - ASTHMA : it reduces the severity of asthma
20 - EAR INFECTION : it helps ear infection problem
21 - HERPES : increases the effectiveness of topical
interferon treatment of herpes
22 - TOOTH DECAY : destroys bacteria and viruses that cause
many dental diseases
23 - STRESS : L-theanine helps relieve stress and anxiety
24 - ALLERGIES : it relives allergies
25 - HIV : it can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells
and stops it from spreading

WHAT BRAND TO LOOK FOR?

I recommend you look for the brand name UJICHA.

It has the following contents :-

* flavonoids - polyphenol catechins [especially EGCG]
* vitamins A,C,E,K and B Complex
* amino acids
* minerals
* low in calories and low in sugar
* no preservative and no colouring

According to a book written by Dr Debasis Bagchi, Ph,D.,F.A.C.N- he says :

"Green Tea : Antioxidant Power To Fight Disease.
Improve intestinal function, inhibit tooth decay, promote
kidney function and protect your body against viruses and
cancer with the power of Green Tea polyphenol antioxidants.
[Source - A Keats Good Health Guide]"

So you ought to start drinking GREEN TEA right away !!

To your good health and if you would like to know where to get UJICHA, drop me an email or contact me at my handphone.

So much to share with you folks.

How Are Free Radicals Formed?

2008-07-09T11:00:00.009+08:00

Earlier on, I talked about Free Radicals. Now I want to share with you on "how are free radicals formed."

Well, these are the possible causes :-

1. Consuming Unhealthy Food

- fatty diet made up of processed food, fried food,
barbecued and charbroiled food.

2. Consuming Alcoholic beverages

3. Smoking Cigarette

- one cigarette is said to unleash 3 trillion free radicals
into the blood stream !

4. Stress

- all chemicals and some endocrine hormones create free radicals

5. Toxicity

- toxi chemicals in pesticides and insecticides

6. Ultraviolet [UV] rays

7. Pollutions

- environmental pollutants and contaminants.

Researchers believe that anthocyanins, the natural antioxidant substances thaqt berriers create to fight free radicals can augment our body's natural supply and act as a second line of defense in the human body.

Anthocyanins are found in the product called OPTIVIN. If you want to know more about this product, feel free to drop me an email or contact me

What are Free Radicals?

2008-06-21T22:31:00.004+08:00

From what I understand :

*Free radicals are atoms or molecules that are highly reactive and unstable because they contain unpaired electron in their molecular structures

*In order to become stable, they attack and rob electrons from other molecules. This attack spontaneouslsy generates another unstable free radical molecule,starting a chain reaction that damages cellular function, eventually leading to cell's death.

According to Dr Bruce Ames, PH.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California :-

Scientists estimate that every day over 10,000 free radicals bombarded each cell in our body.

Scientists call free radicals the underlying cause of many chronic diseases.

Do you know how they destroy your health?

Free radicals kill cells,damage body tissues, destroy enzymes, attack DNA and produce toxic chemicals.

A wealth of scientific evidence has determinedd that the body's formation of unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals is the cause of various diseases like :-

> hearth diseases

> strokes

> diabetes

> arthritis [joint pains]

> sinusitis

> vision problems

> neurological impairments

> high blood pressure

> cancers

And to wipe out numerous free radicals simultaneously, you need powerful antioxidants. Anthocyanins are the one. You can find Anthocyanins in OPTIVIN.

To know more about OPTIVIN simply drop me a note.

Do you know that you get nutrition through colours

2008-06-17T14:36:00.003+08:00

That I learned of scientific research has shown that chemicals that give fruits and vegetables their colour known as phytochemicals are good for us.

Berries have been known to provide a wide variety of powerful antioxidants and phytochemicals unmatched by any other fruits. This is largely been attributed to their high anthocyanins content.

By combining some of the well-researched berries extract into a highly potent forumulation, OPTIVIN, that I mentioned in my earlier blog delivers a broad spectrum of antioxidants to fight against various forms of free radicals to minimise cell damage.

OPTIVIN is an unique, proprietary blend of wild blueberry, wild bilberry, strawberry, cranberry, elderberry and raspberry extracts. It is the result of extensive scientific research, evaluating key functional parameters of numerous berry extracts and exploring more than 20 combinations of individual berry extracts.

OPTIVIN is indeed the supplement of the 21st century.

Want to know more about this product, simply contact me or drop me an email.

Add Colours To Your Health

2008-06-16T17:19:00.015+08:00

According to Mr Debasis Bagchi, we are continuously being bombarded by free radicals from all angles like the polluted air that we breathe, the contaminated environment that we live in, the tainted food that we consume and the very stressful pressures of work and society. We need something very powerful to neutralize these free radicals and OPTIVIN is the answer.

He said the proprietary blend of anthocyanins in OPTIVIN is the most powerful anti-oxidant ever discovered and this has been proven by extensive research conducted, not only by his colleagues and himself but also fellow researchers in many other universities and medical centers in USA and around the world.

More and more benefits attributed to the omnipotent anthocyanins are being found in their continuing research, and the result of their research are being published in scientific journals as according to the earlier discoveries. Anthocyanins in OPTIVIN are really proving to be the supplement of the 21st century.

Mr Debasis Bagchi is a Professor of the Department of Pharmacy Sciences, Creighton University Medical Center, USA.

What are anthocyanins then?

My understanding is that these are natural substances that provide pigmentation [colour] to fruits and vegetables in particular berries, and serve as powerful natural antioxidants.

Anthocyanins are responsible for the blue, purple and red pigments found in various berries.

Anthocyanins act to promote health and significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases by neutralizing free radicals, thus preventing them from harming normal components of the cell in the human body.

Anthocyanins are very powerful anti-oxidants that can wipe out numerous free radicals simultaneously. A growing body of scientific evidence has shown that anthocyanin-rich berries possess numerous potential health benefits and protective effects.

Because of the novel structural moiety of anthocyanins molecule, it can neutralize several free radicals simultaneously, while each molecule of other better known antioxidants like vitamins C and E can handle only one free radical at a time.

The positively charged oxygen atom in an anthocyanin molecule makes it a more potent hydrogen-donating antioxidant than the oligomeric pro-anthocyanins [grape seed extract] and other flavonoids are also known to increase the action of vitamin C and supplement the protective qualities of vitamin E.

Many users have benefitted consuming OPTIVIN. Lets hear from some of these satisfied users here :-

Francis - Stroke, Prostate, Vision Problem

Lawrence Ooi - Blood pressure Problem/Stamina & Grey Hair Improved

Jamaliah - Rheumatoid Arthritis Oesteo Problem

Latifah - Stroke

Lena - Constipation, Lumbar Ache

Hjh Esah - Gout - Sendi

Lian - Psoriasis

Lilian – Psoriasis

HjhTnMariam-High B/P, Diabetes

Zaiton - Nerve Problem,Vision,Allergy

Hj Ahmat-Diabetes,Heart Disease, High Blood

Juliah - Fibroid, Headache, Painful

En. Dahalan Abd Manap Patient : Oesteocaricinoma

An OUNCE of Prevention is worth a POUND of Cure.

Please feel to give me a call or drop me an email if you want to know more about this amazing health supplement.

Healthy Cell Is Equal To Having A Healthy Body

2008-02-16T11:38:00.003+08:00

Today I learned something about our human body.

As I understand our human body is made up of 70 trillion cells. The cells' function normally proceed with effective metabolism, and progress with the production and circulation of blood for maintaining optimal immune system of our body.

In other words, health capability of the immune system shows how strong our body can protect itself from being attacked by various bacteria.

Healthy body depends on healthy cells. And healthy cells rely upon three essential elements

1. Balanced Nutrition
2. Pure Clean Water
3. Sufficient Oxygen

Shortfall of any one of the 3 essential elements will affect the normal metabolism of cells, and the abnormal metabolism of cells will result in modern diseases.

Healthcare professionals have proven that the cause of modern diseases is considerably related to our poor dietary habits.

In other words, the cells have not been provided with sufficient essential nutrients. Therefore, the key to achieve good health would be a balanced nutrition.

So to keep our body healthy, we require:

1. carbohydrates
2. proteins
3. vitamins
4. minerals
5. water
6. fats

According to health professionals, frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, grains and plant products is a good sign of healthier diet, particularly the natural green foods. The natural green foods help balance the body with hyper-acidity and strengthen our immune system.

Examples of the natural green foods are Chlorella, Spirulina, Dunaliella Saline Algae, Kelp, Alfalfa, Barley Grass, Wheat Grass, Wheat Grass, Brown Rice Bran, Apply Fiber, Green Tea, Soy Lecithin, Chicory Root (Inulin) and etc.

When they are absorbed in a diet everyday, our body cells will benefit by gaining a balanced nutrition.

Drop me an email if you want to know where to get the foods that contain higher value Nutrients.

A Better Alternative To Saving In Fixed Deposit

2008-02-09T12:01:00.000+08:00

A couple of friends came over to join me and my family to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

We chit-chatted about education, employment, medical services, inflation, savings etc etc.

One of the guys lamented that the money in his fixed deposit account in one of our local banks is not giving the returns that he expects and he asked for my opinion.

My reply is simple "Do you have good risk appetite." We all understand the basic principle i.e. "no risk no reward." So if he is not prepared to take some form of risk he cannot expect his money lying in the fixed deposit to give him good return.

Naturally, I offered him a better alternative i.e. a financial plan that can give him absolute peace of mind. With capital guarantee, good returns and insurance protection, he can grow and realise your dreams. I asked him to have a look at NTUC Income’s Growth Plan.

The Growth Plan is almost similar to a bank's fixed deposit that come with added benefits. A Plan that can ensure that he and his family can stay financially healthy, even in the case of permanent total disability or death.

When the policy matures at the end of the term, you will receive the sum assured with accumulated bonuses.

I shared with him in details how the plan works. Having understood how it works, he aksed me to put him on the program after the Lunar New Year.

If you are interested to know why my friend agreed to my suggestion, please feel free to contact me at 97843155 or email me at jlowtl@income.com.sg

VivoLife Allows You To Live Life To The Fullest

2008-01-20T10:08:00.000+08:00

NTUC INCOME launched this new producted on 17 January 2008.

Vivolife is a with-profits whole life plan that covers death, total & permanent disability and against 30 specified dread diseases.

This plan is available for all [age between 0 and 64 last birthday. It is particularly suitable for

1. Parents of young children
2. Young adults
3. Older Adults

Minimum Sum Assured

- you can own the plan with a minimum assured of $10,000.

Flexibile Prem Term To Choose From

- limited pay : fixed term 10, 15, 20, 25 years or at age 64 last birthday
- full pay : 84 last birthday

Supplementary Benefits

The plan also allows you to enhance your coverage by adding appropriate supplementary benefits [commonly known as Riders]

Minium Protection Value

If death, dread disease or total & permanent disability were to occur in the first 15 years of coverage, the benefits payable is the higher of

* the sum assured plus bonuses or
* 125% of the orginal sum assured

In the event of Death

- the sum assured and accummulated bonuses will be paid in one lump sum

- accidental death benefit

* additional two times the original sum assured will be paid
* accident death benefit covers whole life
* total benefit payable will be 3 times sum assured plus bonus
and NOT accidental death benefit + minimum protection value
* a reduction in benefits will made due to age, occupation or
involvement in restricted activity

Total & Perment Disability before age 65

- full sum assured plus accumulated bonuses will be paid in one lump sum

Dread Diseases

- it covers 30 specified dread diseases
- sum assured and accumulated bonuses will be paid in one lump sum
upon diagnosis of any one of the 30 specified dread diseases

Retrenment Waiver

This is an unique feature.

If you are involuntarily unemployed for a continuous periof of 3 months, your premium will be waived for up to 6 months so that you can stop paying your premium temporarily and still enjoy the protection that's so important to you.

Annuity Option

How about freedom to enjoy your golden years. Just because you're retiring, doesn't mean you can't continue to enjoy life.

Under this option, you'll receive additioinal 5% cash value when you convert your policy into an Annuity at age 60 so you can have a regular flow of income coming into your bank account for the rest of your life.

The conversion can be done in full or partially. Sum assured will be adjusted accordingly.

So friends, vivolife sets you free to enjoy, free to choose and free you from worries so you can live life to the fullest.

Sign up now and you will get up to $400 worth of Fairprice and CapitalMall shopping vouchers. Promotion ends 30 April 2008.

Please contact me at

handphone : 97843155
email :jlowtl@income.com.sg

if you want to know how to qualify for the promotional gift vouchers or to know more about the plan etc.

Get fast cash, high returns with CPF savings?

2008-01-10T11:47:00.000+08:00

I have received some tips on investment jointly produced by CPF Board and Money Sense and I feel it would be good if I share with fellow folks as well. Here are the tips :-

DO NOT INVEST BASED ON PROMISES OF QUICK AND ATTRACTIVE RETURNS ALONE

You may have heard of offers of quick and attractive returns when you invest your CPF savings. Be careful not to invest your CPF savings based on such promises alone.

Think long term. Your CPF savings are for your old age needs. You should thus invest your CPF with a view to growing your nest egg instead of taking risky decisions to earn a quick profit or receive gifts. This article provides some tips that you should note before you invest your CPF savings.

TIP 1: Always consider the risks

Do not be attracted to headline rates alone. All investments come with risk. If a product offers a high potential return, chances are that it would also be accompanied with high risks. This is true even for financial products included in the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS). There is no guarantee that any product will always be profitable.

Always ask what the risks are. Know how much investment risk you can afford to take. Make sure you choose investments that you are comfortable with and are suitable for your long-term goals.

TIP 2: Weigh the expected returns against the risk-free returns offered by CPF

Click here to see a summary of the interest rates paid by CPF Board. If you are not confident that your investment can earn more than the returns offered by CPF Board, it is better to leave your money in your CPF account and earn risk-free interest rates.

TIP 3: Find out how the product works

There are many different types of investment products in the market. Always find out how the product works before you decide whether to invest your CPF savings.

Here are a few key areas you should find out.

i. How does the investment product work? What does the product invest in?

ii. What are the risks? Can you tolerate these risks? As a general rule,
the shorter your investment time horizon, the less investment risk
you should take.

iii. What are the costs? Over the long term, high expenses can drag down the
profits gained from investing in even the better-performing investments.

iv. How much do you have to invest? Consider how taking up the investment
could affect your CPF balance that you need for other purposes such
as financing your housing loan payments.

v. How long do you have to stay invested? What happens if you decide to
terminate your investment earlier? Note that charges may be imposed or
you may lose some of your earlier investments if you terminate an
investment prematurely.

Do not invest in any product that you do not understand or are not comfortable with.

TIP 4: Before switching investments, check if the switch would benefit you

If you have already invested your CPF savings, you may be asked to consider switching your investment from one fund to another; or from one product to another.

Always find out how the recommended switch would benefit you, even if the recommendation is from someone that you know very well or hold in high regard.

Here are a few key questions you should ask:

i. What is the purpose of the switch?

ii. Would the switch give me better returns than the current product or
interest currently paid by CPF?

iii. What are the potential disadvantages associated with the switch?

iv. Am I entitled to any free switching options? If not, how much the
switch would cost? Note that you may be charged a switching fee or
incur fresh front-end charges.

TIP 5: Do not invest or switch based on offers of gifts and cash rebates

Even if you are offered gifts /rebates for investing under CPFIS, bear in mind that these must be converted to cash or bonus units which must be refunded back to your account.

Consumers who receive cash rebates for any investment under the CPF Investment Scheme should lodge a report with CPF Board immediately. CPF Board will then arrange for the cash rebate to be credited back to the consumer’s CPF account. Members or intermediaries found to have siphoned out CPF monies through the offering/receiving of cash rebates could face legal action by CPF Board.

TIP 6: Diversify your investments and review them regularly

If you do decide to invest your CPF savings, consider spreading your investments among asset classes (e.g. stocks, bonds and cash equivalents) and among different products within each asset class. Don’t put all your eggs into one basket!

Do also review your investments regularly. Do this at least once a year to take stock of the investment performance, consider whether you are on track towards achieving your investment objectives, and adjust your investment portfolio according to your needs.

TIP 7: Keep your NRIC No. and SingPass confidential

You should keep your NRIC No. and SingPass confidential at all times and not disclose them to anyone. Otherwise, there is a risk that someone could authorise transactions for your CPF monies without your knowledge and/or approval.

In summary, invest your CPF monies prudently. Consider the suitability of the products according to your individual risk appetite and investment objectives. Do not invest based on promotional gifts and rebates.

If you are not confident in investing on your own, it is better to leave your money in your CPF account and earn risk-free interest rates.

So dear friends, now that you have learned about the valuable tips mentioned above, if you help on how to invest or putting your hard earned money works better for you, please feel free to contact me or drop me a note and I shall see how best I can be of assistance to you.

ASK YOURSELF THESE 4 QUESTIONS

2007-12-26T07:34:00.000+08:00

Question 1:

Do I have at least $30,000 right now
to avert a financial catastrophe if I am
stricken with a dread disease e.g. cancer
(It can happen when people least expect it)

[ ] No [ ] Yes

Question 2:

Do I have an insurance plan to pay for
the hospital bill?

[ ] No [ ] Yes: Incomedshield / Other Shield

Question 3:

Do I have a steady income if I am unable to work
because of the dread illness or a bad accident?

[ ] No [ ] Yes

Question 4:

Will I have the money at the time when
I stop working (retire) to last your life time?

[ ] No [ ] Yes

If your answers are NO, then please do not proscrinate any further, drop me an email or call me and I shall see how best I can be of assistance to you.

Do You Know The Consequences of Drink Driving

2007-12-22T20:00:00.000+08:00

Festive seasons is around the corner, if you drink DON'T drive and if you drive DON'T drink. The consequences are beyond your imagination. The following photos show the result of drink driving.

Happy time with friends

The car driven by a 17 year old male student was a total wreck indeed!

So this is the consequence.

Receiving agonising painful treatment

So folks exercise care. When you drink don't drive!

As requested by my friend, these are just some of the photos that I received to create an awareness of the danger of drink driving.

The next time when you drink think of your loved ones around you!!

Merry X'mas and a Happy & Prosperous 2008.

Do You Want To Know The "Hidden Cause" of Back Pain...

2007-12-17T22:44:00.000+08:00

Here is what I learn about Back Pain.

There's a hidden cause of back pain... it's something very few medical or healthcare professionals are even aware of... If they were, they wouldn't be treating conditions.

Instead, they'd be identifying and addressing what brought about the condition in the first place.

For example, if you were diagnosed with a herniated disc, instead of just treating the symptoms, they should be finding out what caused the disc to herniate to begin with.

Back pain does not happen overnight...

While the pain may appear suddenly, the fact is the problem has been developing for months or more likely, years.

The reason you have back pain is because your body and spine have been pulled out of their normal position and into what we call dysfunctions.

If you are like most people, you move around and live your life without ever being aware that you are forcing your body to work with these dysfunctions, and sooner or later your body breaks down.

Back pain can be treated effectively without medication. Click here to grap a free copy of the Back Pain Guide

So be careful the next time you do exercise, carry heavy stuff etc.

Death Begins In Our Colon !

2007-12-13T11:55:00.001+08:00

According to the British Medical Association - "Death begins in the colon."

The colon is a dark, damp, warm place, ideal for breeding germs and bacteria. It has been said the traces of our very first meal on earth can still he found in our colon!!

I am amazed to learn that rotting food and decaying fecal matter can be found in the colon that is at least five years old.

It lodges in the pockets of the colon and just rots. Wrong diet, stress and constipation just make matters worse.

I also read about a famous vegetarian who said that he was in perfect shape, and needed no colon cleanser. After much arguing he agreed to do some cleansing of his colon and within five days he said he couldn't believe what he had been holding onto all these years.

We actually turn our sewage system into a cesspool, then wonder why we don't feel well.

If we don't get enough exercise or drink enough pure water, constipation can result. According to what I learn 'Fiber is our best guarantee of cleansing the colon'.

So folks believe it or not, it's your colon - watch out your diets and do your colon a favour. Take good care before it is too late.

Medical Expenses Insurance Cover For Foreign Worker Working In Singapore

2007-12-11T10:04:00.000+08:00

Here is what I learned from the The Ministry of Manpower’s website.

The Ministry will require employers to purchase and maintain insurance for the medical expenses of foreign workers from 1 January 2008.

The requirement will apply to:

• All new and existing foreign workers on Work Permit or S Pass from 1 January 2008.
• All new foreign domestic workers, and existing foreign domestic
workers when employers renew their Work Permits, from 1 January 2008.

The medical insurance coverage must be at least $5,000 a year for each Foreign Worker's [FWs] inpatient care and day surgery. The requirement will be a Condition of Work Permits/S Pass.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will withdraw hospital subsidies for all foreigners, including FWs, from 1 January 2008. The medical insurance requirement will help employers manage the potentially high medical bills of their FWs.

The onus is on the employers i.e. employers are required to purchase medical insurance for their FWs and should not pass on such cost to their FWs.

Any employer who contravenes the Condition of Work Permits/S Pass to purchase medical insurance shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.

So do ensure that your foreign workers' medical expenses insurance covers are taken care of come January 2008.

You can click here to find out more about the medical expenses insurance cover for foreign workers.

What's Your Most Valuable Asset?

2007-12-07T10:25:00.000+08:00

If someone asked you "What's your most valuable asset?" You probably say it's your home. But think of it, unless you are retired or about to retire, you're almost certainly wrong.

The biggest asset that you have is your ability to earn an income. What then is your future earning capacity ?

It is essential that you insure your single largest asset i.e. your ability to generate an income.

Some studies suggest that there is a 33% chance that you will fall sick or disabled for 6 months or longer prior to say age 65.

Indeed, the areas of greatest concern are example - heart attacks, cancer, strokes, kidney failures, organ transplants etc.

The other thing to consider probably is "how can you and your family survive if your income stops for 6 months or longer? Do you have any contingency financial plan put in place right now?

When you want to pick up an income protection insurance policy bear in mind these:-

* type of policy
* definition of what is partial disability or permanent total disability
* the premium

Do you know the liver in your body has no nerve sensual?

2007-12-04T14:41:00.000+08:00

It saddens me to see an active, cheerful and pleasant lady suffering from advanced stage of liver cancer. That lady is a relative of mine. Most of us take the function of our very own LIVER for granted.

The liver is the largest gland and solid organ in the body, weighing some 1.2 kgs to 1.5 kgs. It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm. It holds approximately 13% (about one pint or 0.57 litres) of the total blood supply at any given moment, works 24 hours a day and it has over 500 estimated functions.

It has been the nature's most wonderful gift to everyone's health for over hundreds of years as noted by the ancient textbooks of wisdom. I read somewhere and learned that Liver is equivalent to a General in an army. So, if the General is down, the entire army's operation will be adversely affected as well.

A brief summary of the liver’s main functions as follows:

• controlling levels of amino acids, fat and glucose in the blood
• breaking down food and turning it into energy
• producing bile which is important in digestion
• clearing the blood of particles
• fighting infections in the body
• breaking down and neutralising drugs and toxins
• storing vitamins, iron and other essential chemicals
• regulating numerous hormones including sex hormones

Liver disease is indeed a Silent Killer as it has no nerve sensual. The liver can survive 80% of damage without painful feelings. Always it is too late to realise if you have liver failure.

A damaged liver will affect other main organs of the body and can lead to diseases like diabetes, constipation, obesity, skin problems, etc.

That I know of some of the symptons of liver diseases may include :-

- moody
- loss of libido
- yellowish eyes
- brownish urine
- mouth odour
- loss of apptetite
- lower energy level
- rashes/itchiness
- poor sleep pattern
- dark red palms or feet

According to the WHO's report that I read :-

1/3 of the world population of 2 billions people have suffered from liver diseases

Every year about 1,000,000 die of liver diseases
Every minute 2 die of liver diseases

80% of the Liver Cancer is related to Hepatitis B. The chances of Hepatitis B & C carrier suffers from Liver cancer are 200 times more than ordinary people

Age : 35 - 65 years old
Male : Female = 3:1

Liver needs appropriate nutritions to help to protect and strengthen its functions and also help to control cancer particularly liver cancer. If you want to know how this health supplement can help to meet your liver's nutritional needs, do drop me a note for more details.

So much to share with you folks that I know of about this Silent Killer.

You have only ONE liver and it is for life. So please love him more!

How to find out what is your investment risk tolerance level?

2007-12-03T17:39:00.000+08:00

Many people have a mental block when it comes to investments. To the neophyte, the investment world often seems something bad, full of pitfalls for the uninitiated. This need not be the case, for the basic of investing can be learned by anyone.

Investment means managing your resources so that you can preserve your money's buying power, generate more money and obtain income. Once you decide to put money to work by investing, you will need a procedure for making sense of the multitude of financial options available to you.

You can begin by clarifying what your investment goals are. May be asked yourself the following :-

1. where am I now financially?
2. Where do I want to be in five years?
3. Ten years?
4. Twenty years time?

You will have to take a financial inventory to assess where you are now. Ideally, this should be done when you are not under pressure.

Once you have carefully made this inventory, taking into account your liquid assets, fixed assets and various obligations, you should be ready to identify where you want to be at the end of the specific period. Bearing in mind that your goals will vary at different times in your life. For example, if you were to marry or to receive an inheritance your financial plan would change.

Whatever it is, to help you have a feel of what is your risk tolerance level, you may want to try this online Risk Profiler - courtesy of NTUC INCOME.

Hope you find this online Risk Profiler useful.

New Assist Rider To Keep Hospital Bill To A Minimum

2007-11-28T12:25:00.000+08:00

NTUC INCOME has recently introduced a new supplementary benefit [commonly called Rider] to provide the necessary protection while incorporating features to reduce the prospect of abuse, thus managing the costs for all concerned. This new Rider is called “Assist Rider” replaces the “Incomeshield Plus Rider”.

According to NTUC INCOME, with the experience of hindsight, it realized that full rider with no co-payment element lends itself to over-servicing and over-consumption. This inevitably results in rising claims and costs, with insurers ending up having to raise premiums regularly.

Also, compared to “full” rider plans offered by other insurers in the market, the premium for Assist Rider is 40%-50% lower. For example, for a 45 year old, savings from the new Assist Rider could be as much as $1,700 over 10 years. For a family of four, the savings can add up to a considerable $5,000-$6,000 over 10 years.

With the new Assist Rider, the Insured will bear the “co-payment” portion which is 10% of the benefits, subject to a maximum cap of $1,500 [for Plan C] to $3,000 [for Plan P].

Do drop me a note if you want to know more about the Enhanced Incomeshield plan or this new Rider.

Facing The Giant

2007-11-27T18:59:00.000+08:00

If you are looking for some inspirational or motivational guidance. The above short video clip is worth your while watching. Happy viewing!!!

Why Good To Start Investing Earlier

2007-11-19T10:26:00.000+08:00

When you start early i.e. at a young age, you stand to gain the most with the help of compound interest and dollar-cost averaging concepts. You are also investing at a lower risk level and maximising of returns over the longer term. Importantly, you have a long-term investment horizon to play with.

You have to believe in the principles of compound interest and time horizon. It works wonder! An illustration I read shows that an individual started a yearly investment of $1,000 at age 25 for a period of 10 years @ 6% return. He allowed his investment to continue growing at 6% from say age 35 to 62 without any further yearly contributions. Wow! at age 62 his investment totalled $71,420.

On the other hand, another guy started on a yearly investment of $1,000 from age 35 [i.e. 10 years later] continuously upto age 62 he would receive $72,640. See the different, one invests only for 10 years while the other needs to contribute continously for 20 plus years.

Understandably young people especially those who just started working may not have the means to invest big but they can start on a regular savings plan. Set aside a small monthly contribution of say $50 or $100 and let time and compound interest work for you.

NTUC INCOME has a wide variety of investment plans that give attractive returns. Surely you can find one that meet your need. If you are still in doubt no problem, I'm here to help to fulfill your future financial goal.

Make Your Money in Your CPF Works Harder For You

2007-11-14T12:21:00.000+08:00

Before the new CPF changes on Ordinary Account [OA] come into effect shortly, you may want to take advantage in putting your money in your ordinary account to work harder for you.

Before are illustrations of the difference by leaving the money in your ordinary account and transferring it to other funds to generate better returns for you:-

Say a male aged 40, has $50,000 (assuming housing loans taken care of] in his OA - currently his first $20,000 will earn an interest at 2.5%. Above $20,000 will also earn 2.5%.

Come 1st Jan 2008, his first $20,000 will earn him 2.5% + another 1.0% and 2.5% for above $20,000.

This gentleman has two options.

OPTION 1 - Leave his money in the OA
OPTION 2 - Use his money in the OA for investment before 1st Jan 2008

This is what happen

Under Option 1 [Leave it as it is in CPF OA]
--------------
1st $20,000 fr OA at 3.5% for 20 years = $39,796
Bal $30,000 fr OA at 2.5% for 20 years = $49,158
TOTAL = $88,954

Under Option 2 [Investment in other plans]
--------------

Use $50,000 in say Plan A for 20 yrs @ 4.15% = $113,081 or
Use $50,000 in say Plan B for 20 yrs = $107,800 [@ projected return of 5%]
or = $227,700 [@ projected return of 9%]

This is an opportunity not to miss. Act Now! Please contact me immediately and I shall be more than happy to share with you how I can use the financial vehicles i.e. the said Plan A and B abovementioned to help you make more money for you. I will also share with you the related benefits under Option 2.

Medishield Coverage For Newborn babies

2007-11-12T09:51:00.001+08:00

Hi Parents To Be!!

In case you missed reading the CPF Board's press release, here is a brief note about the medishield coverage for newborn babies.

From 1 December 2007, all newborn Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) will be offered MediShield coverage on an opt-out basis. From mid-2008, the Ministry of Health will also facilitate coverage for Singaporean and PR youths.

Today, MediShield auto-coverage is already offered at the point of a person’s first working contribution to CPF, and at the point of marriage registration. In addition, parents today can voluntarily purchase MediShield for their children through the CPFB, or through Medisave-Approved Private Integrated Plans offered by private insurers.

New Born Children

· MediShield coverage will be offered to all Singaporean children whose births are registered on or after 1 December 2007.
· This will be extended to all children of Permanent Residents, where the child is born in Singapore and the parents register their newborn child’s permanent residency in Singapore on or after 1 December 2007

Children Aged 0 to 6

· Singaporean and Permanent Resident children attending Primary One in mainstream schools in the coming year will be provided with opt-out coverage, between May and June 2008.
· This exercise will be repeated for each batch of Primary One pupils over the next 6 years from 2009 to 2014.

Basic coverage for newborns and youths is affordable at $30 per year. The annual premium will be automatically deducted from the Medisave account of the father. If there are insufficient funds in the father’s account, the premium will be deducted from the mother’s Medisave account.

There Is Another Way To Save More For Your Old Age

2007-11-05T11:38:00.000+08:00

As you may be aware in year 2001 the Singapore Government launched a savings scheme called Supplementary Retirement Scheme [SRS in short]. SRS is part of the Government's multi-pronged strategy to address the financial needs of our greying population.

SRS complements the Central Provident Fund [CPF]. CPF savings are meant to provide for housing and medical needs for basic living needs after retirement. Whereas SRS is a voluntary scheme. Indeed, it is a voluntary scheme to encourage working individuals to save for retirement, over and above their CPF savings.

Participants can contribute a varying amount to the SRS [subject to a cap] at their own discretion. The contributions may be used to purchase various investment instruments. How? Please feel free to drop me a note and I would be more than delighted to share with you on how it works.

SRS also offers attractive tax benefits.

> Tax Relief on SRS contributions (subject to certain limits)
at the tax rate applicable to the top slice of your income.

> Investment gains accumulated tax-free.

> Only 50% of the amount withdrawn on retirement will be taxed.
You can spread your withdrawals over 10 years to enjoy greater tax savings.

> Full amount taxed if withdrawn before
retirement. Further penalty at 5% will be imposed

How To Beat Uncertainty In A Difficult Job Environment

2007-11-04T19:14:00.000+08:00

NTUC INCOME did a recent survey on how one should plan his or her finances to cope with rising job and earning uncertainty.

Three key findings were ascertained.

FINDING NO. 1 -
Most choose to reduce expenses to cope with job uncertainty

** Save 10 to 20% of earnings by reducing expenses - 73%
** Not possible to save due to existing commitments - 27%

FINDING NO. 2 -
Most prefer a flexible savings plan

** Flexible insurance savings plan - 66%
** Traditional life insurance plan - 24%
** Leave money in the bank - 10%

FINDING NO. 3 -
Most prefer to invest their savings to achieve
moderate risks and returns

** Moderate risk and return of 5% p.a. - 52%
** Low risk and return of 3% p.a. - 29%
** High risk and return of 7% p.a. - 11%
** No risk but with return of 0.5% p.a. - 8%

The question is how to beat the Uncertainty?

Well, you don't need to look further. NTUC INCOME has financial plans that give attractive return at low risk.

If your financial future means a lot to you. Don't procrastinate, call me or drop me a note immediately let me help you to select a suitable plan that can meet your future financial needs.

Proposed Changes In The CPF Rules

2007-09-20T10:24:00.000+08:00

Believe you are following recent talks about the change in the CPF rates etc.

With interest rates for CPF’s Special, Medi-save and Retirement Accounts peg to long term government bond yield by next year Jan 2008, we will have to have a re-look at our retirement fund.

The bond yield over the last 10 years ranged from 2% to 5%. Government will guarantee the floor rate of 4% for another 2 more years and thereafter it will be 2.5% with additional 1%.

You have also learned that one is to work beyond age 62. Minimum sum draw down age is going to be 65 or higher. The reason being that average life expectancy of Singaporean will rise to age 85 or higher.

So to have a better life in later part of our life, we need to plan early for our retirement. You may have to think seriously how to invest your CPF fund wisely to meet long term goal without taking unnecessary excessive risk.

Given the changing circumstances, really we will have no choice but to start planning now.

I welcome you to contact me if I can be of help to you.

2007-09-18T11:19:00.000+08:00

Hi folks

Sorry lah – I have not been writing for sometime now ‘cos busy with something else. Hope everyone is fine and doing well.

I have recently visited a friend who suffers from colon cancer. I can feel the immense pain he is undergoing now and the worries caused to his family.

Just wondering whether can colon cancer be prevented and I ask myself is dieting the main cause of this scaring illness. Whatever it is, do not wait for thing to happen better to do something now while we are healthy.

So you may want to think about these :-

Early detection of colon cancer and the prevention

Actually, colon cancer could be avoided if you take care of your health. If you foster a healthy lifestyle with healthy diet, the occurrence of colon cancer may be reduced. If cancer patients know their illness earlier, they could go for treatment and may control the illness before it worsens. Please take note that early detection of the cancer condition and taking care of health may control the illness from aggravation.

How to prevent colon cancer?

· Identify the risk of colon cancer you may face and go for body
checkup as soon as possible.
· Increase vegetables, fruits and fibre intake, however, reduce meat intake.
· Consume multivitamins to make sure calcium and selenium intakes
are sufficient.
· Exercise regularly.
· No smoking.
· For women in menopause, intending to have hormone therapy,
please consult physician before proceeding.
· Please consult your physician opinion if you are taking aspirin
for your heart and intestines daily.

revosave - a new revolutionary plan from NTUC INCOME

2007-08-20T19:08:00.000+08:00

Great News !

NTUC INCOME has just launched a new revolutionary anticipated endowment plan called revosave.

It is simple really. We prepare you for a rainy day with insurance and savings. And when the sun comes out and you are ready to indulge, we will be there with Cash Benefits to give your life an added shine.

revosave is the perfect solution for you, because you do not just want the most out of your money, but also the most out of life.

Maximise your savings for that rainy day

·With revosave, your very affordable monthly premium earns an attractive potential return of 3.7% per annum, so you are better prepared when the going gets tough.
·as an illustration - this attractive 3.7% annual return is based upon a male, aged 30, with a term period of 21 years and paying a monthly premium of $205.30. His sum assured will be $30,000 and projected return is $76,050.

Cash benefits for whatever, whenever

·Starting from the end of your second policy anniversary (or the 25th month), you will receive a guaranteed Cash Benefit at 5% of the sum assured. This is payable at each policy anniversary, up to 120% of the sum assured for the entire policy term.

Grow your returns with investments

·If you would like a shot at higher returns, revosave offers even more flexibility with the option to invest your Cash Benefits in our Combined Funds. Managed by top fund managers worldwide, our Funds hold an excellent track record, with average returns of 10.9% per annum since inception (source: NTUC Income Fund Factsheet for the financial year ended 31 December 2006).
·As a revosave policyholder, you will also get to enjoy a waiver of any sales charge or policy fee for your Investment-Linked account.

Peace of mind with comprehensive coverage

·revosave's insurance coverage provides death as well as permanent & total disability benefits. For greater peace of mind, supplementary benefit riders are available with revosave.

·Savings, investments, protection and the flexibility to manage these as you please, that's revosave - so you can enjoy everything your money can do.

Do feel free to contact me or drop me if you want to have a quotation or want to know more about revosave plan under no obligation of course.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION

2007-08-16T20:05:00.000+08:00

Hi folks

A friend of mine sent me an email on how one can help to prevent a person from suffering from stroke. Here is what she wrote to me. I quote :-

"During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, she went about enjoying herself the rest of the afternoon. Her husband called later saying that his wife had been taken to the hospital and passed away. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps she would be with us today. Some stroke victims don't die, they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within three hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke . . . totally. He said the trick was having a stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within three hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE:

Remember the "3" steps.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK, to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. (Coherently) (i.e. . It is sunny out today)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' his or her tongue . if the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke .

If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to ten people, you can bet at least one life will be saved."

Unquote.

Quick Way To Check Your Policy Details

2007-08-03T09:53:00.000+08:00

All members [policyholders] of NTUC INCOME are you aware that you can easily check the details of your policy anytime, anywhere so long as you have access to internet?

First of all you need a password. If you do not have one, it is as simple as ABC, just click here to request for a password to be sent to you vide sms or email.

Once you have the password, no problem you can access anytime just click on this link which will bring you to the page. Once you are on this page, just follow the instruction on the screen i.e. type in your nric number and the password. That's it and you can look for the information you want.

To see a demonstration, click on this link.

In case you need any assistance you can contact our call centre at 67881122.

Hope the above piece of tip is useful.

Retiring With Enough Money vs With Insufficient Money

2007-07-30T09:33:00.000+08:00

Have you thought about it i.e. whether you want to retire with enough money or retire with insufficient money.

Well, the difference is here - Enjoying your retirement and Retiring from enjoyment.

Invest in life insurance? It may not provide you with the best rate of return, but, it gurantees predetermined dollars on your retirement with almost no risk.

That is to say, you can arrange for an amount that is adequate for an enjoyable retirement through life insurance.

It is the best way to guarantee sufficient money for your retirement.

What Is Osteoporosis

2007-07-24T11:18:00.000+08:00

That I know of Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and brittle. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a fracture occurs.

Fractures from osteoporosis are commonly seen in the hip, spine and wrist. These fractures usually occur in females over the age of 65.

Hip fracture usually requires surgery. After surgery, some people may not regain the ability to walk again despite rehabilitation. Prolonged period of being bed-bound can also lead to complications such as chest infection which can cause death.

An elderly with fracture of the spine can suffer tremendous amount of pain with subsequent loss of height and back deformity.

Who Are At Risk

* female
* over 65 years of age
* a family history of osteoporosis
* think and small built [Body Mass Index of 26 or below carries an
increased risk]
* menopause either naturally or artifically from removal of ovaries in a surgery
* poor intake of calcium
* sedentary lifestyle
* smoker
* alcohol drinker
* fair-skinned race [such as Chinese and Caucasians]

How To Prevent?

Having a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D

Incorporating exercises [weight-bearing and resistance types of exercises] into one's lifestyle from a very young age

Cease smoking and reduce the intake of alcohol

Consult your doctor for a referral for a Bone Mineral Density [BMD] test

Why some people say they don't have money when they have?

2007-07-19T11:21:00.000+08:00

I think the issue here is not really having the money or not but rather the priority of using them. It is because of competition from other more tangible products or investments that makes many people feel this way.

It is a disturbing fact that many people do not place life insurance high on their priority list although they need the coverage badly.

Life insurance deals with the future needs of a person and thus its benefits are difficult to experience and appreciate at the time of buying as compared to most other products.

It is only when life insurance is recognised as a priority item for the family that people will find the money for it.

Wise people plan ahead of their needs.

As the saying goes "Don't start digging for a well only when you become thirsty...for it may be too late!

Again there are some people who say that life insurance is for the rich. Really, I beg to disagree because I feel those who think they are not rich need life insurance most. It is better to have some life insurance cover than nothing.

NTUC INCOME has a whole range of life insurance products to meet individual's need. Do let me know if I can be of help to you.

What Exactly Is "Sweet Urine" ?

2007-07-17T09:02:00.000+08:00

The Chinese and Malay refer to Diabetes as "Sweet Urine". In the past, this is the only way to find out if a person is a diabetic.

Today, diabetes is detected through blood test.

Some people who are not diabetic can have sugar in their urine and detection of sugar in the urine is no longer considered an accurate way of diagnosing diabetes.

Our blood sugar is controlled by a hormone produced by an organ in our abdomen called pancreas. This hormone is called insulin.

Insufficient insulin causes the blood sugar to rise, giving rise to the condition called Diabetes.

Diabetes can be divided into 3 types:

Type 1 Diabetes [Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or IDDM]

- this usually occurs in children or young adults.

Type 2 [ [Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or IDDM]

- this is the more common form of diabetes. It occurs mainly in adults and is frequently associated with obesity and hypertension.

Gestational Diabetes

- this diabetes occurring during a woman's pregnancy.

The most common symptoms of diabetes are:

- feeling tired and "run down'
- feeling thirsty
- passing large amounts of urine
- itching on the genital [private] areas due to fungal infection.

However, not everyone has these symptoms and many people discover they have diabetes during routine checks.

Type 2 Diabetes may be controlled with lifestyle modification such as diet, exercise, achieving ideal body weight and cessation of smoking. If this fails, oral medication is needed to normalise blood sugar level. Injections of insulin may be required in severe form of diabetes.

Diabetes affects every part of the body. Complications of diabetes include

*Eyes [blindness, cataracts],
*Kidneys [kidney failure],
*Heart [heart attacks, heart failure]
*Nervous system [loss of sensation in the legs and arms
*Increase risk of strokes
*Abnormal heart rhythms
*Abnormal functioning of the gut, e.g. poor digestion, diarrhoea or constipation
*Limb [amputations]
*Impotence
*Infection [increased risk of infection, poor healing of wounds]

Good control of diabetes can prevent or delay the development of such complications. So it is important to persevere with lifestyle modification and to comply with treatment.

Increase In Minimum Sum & Medisave Contribution Ceciling

2007-07-11T12:04:00.000+08:00

The following update that I picked up are reproduced for your quick reference.

CPF Minimum Sum

From 1 July 07, the CPF Minimum Sum (MS) will be increased from $94,600 to $99,600. The new amount will apply to CPF members who turn 55 between 1 July 07 and 30 June 08. CPF members who set aside the $99,600 fully in cash will receive a monthly payout of $790 from age 62 for about 20 years.

This increase is in line with the announcements made in August 03 that the CPF MS will be raised gradually to reach $120,000 (in 2003 dollars) in 2013. The increase in MS, which includes an adjustment for inflation, is to ensure that Singaporeans set aside sufficient savings for their retirement.

Medisave Minimum Sum and Medisave Contribution Ceiling

From 1 July 07, the Medisave Minimum Sum (MMS) will be increased from $28,000 to $28,500. Members will have to set aside this amount, or the actual Medisave balance, whichever is lower, in their Medisave Account, when they withdraw their CPF at or after 55 years old.

The Medisave Contribution Ceiling (MCC) will be also raised from $33,000 to $33,500. This is the maximum balance each member may have in his Medisave Account. As announced previously, any Medisave contribution in excess of the prevailing MCC will be transferred to the member’s Special Account if he is below age 55. If he is above age 55, the Medisave contribution in excess of the prevailing MCC will be transferred to his Retirement Account if he has a Minimum Sum shortfall.

The revisions to MMS and MCC are to ensure that Singaporeans have sufficient savings to meet their hospitalisation expenses, and have been adjusted for inflation.

Coronary Artery Disease Another Silent Killer Disease

2007-07-10T09:27:00.000+08:00

About one-quarter of death in Singapore each year is due to Coronary Artery Disease [CAD]. Another name for it is Ischaemic Heart Disease [IHD].

It is the 2nd most common cause of death in Singapore.

The heart is mainly made up of muscle which pumps blood around the body, bring oxygen and nutrients to every part of our body.

This muscle of the heart themselves needs oxygen and nutrients to keep on working. The blood vessels that carry the blood to the heart muscle are called Coronary Arteries. Blockage of the coronary arteries is known as Coronary Artery Disease [CAD].

With decreased blood supply, the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen and in medical terminology, this is known as Ischaemia. Hence another name for this condition is called Ischaemic Heart Disease.

Risk factors are conditions that increase your risk for CAD. Some risk factors can be changed and others cannot.

In general, the more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing heart disease.

These are the Risk Factors you cannot control:-

* age [45 years or older for men; 55 years or older for women]
* family history of early heart disease [father or brother
affected before age 55; mother or sister affected before age 65]

Known Risk Factors That You Can Do Something About It :-

+ high blood cholesterol [raised total cholesterol and raised LDL 'bad' cholesterol]
+ low HDL [good] cholesterol]
+ smoking
+ high blood pressure
+ diabetes
+ obesity/overweight
+ sedentary life-style or physical inactivity

What Are The Complications and Risks

A heart attack is a very serious condition as up to one-third of patients may die.

As permanent damage of the heart muscle occurs after a heart attack, the heart pump is weakened and may result in heart failure.

A person who had a heart attack may also suffer abnormal heart rhythm and recurrent chest pain. He or she is also at an increased risk or a repeat heart attack, particularly over the next one year.

Conclusion

The good news about CAD is that heart attack can be prevented.

Learn about healthy lifestyle and apply it to your life, no matter what age you are now. Whatever it is, get yourself financially protected.

So don't get stressed up, stay healthy, watch your diet and make a point to have regular exercises.

What Is The Second Commonest Cancer ?

2007-07-09T10:34:00.000+08:00

What I know of Colorectal Cancer is the second commonest cancer among males and females in Singapore. It can be effectively treated if detected early.

These are Signs and Symptoms?

Change in bowel habits such as persistent diarrhoea or constipation or a change in the frequency of stools.

Blood mixed with stools.

Persistent vague abdominal discomfort or pain.

A lump or mass is felt in the abdomen.

Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite or fatigue.

What Are The Risk ?

Increasing age. Most people with colorectal cancer are more than 45 years of age.

A personal history or family history of colonic or rectal polyps or cancer.

A history of inflammatory bowel disease e.g. chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Dietary facts - Some studies have indicated a link between a high animal/saturated fat diet and low fiber intake with a definite increased risk of colon cancer. Dietary intake of high fiber and low saturated fats may prevent colorectal cancer.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Screening for polyps or small cancers beginning at age 50 is essential to prevention or crucial early detection of colorectal cancer.

If there is a family history of colon or rectal cancer, screening in consultation with a physician is recommended by age 40 or sooner.

Although there is no conclusive evidence, recent studies have shown that a diet low in saturated fats and high in fiber can contribute to the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Breast Cancer - Most Common Cancer Among Female In Singapore

2007-07-07T10:05:00.000+08:00

According to statistics that I know of - one out of 4 or 5 female cancers is Breast Cancer. The number of females with breast cancer has doubled over the last 25 years and this number is still climbing.

These are the Risk Factors:

+ age : 77% are over the age of 50 but breast cancer can occur in
younger women
+ family history of breast cancer; especially among first-degree relatives
+ personal history of breast cancer
+ late pregnancies or never have children
+ inactive or sedentary lifestyle
+ smoking
+ alcohol consumption of more than one drink per day
+ high-fat diet

What are the Warning Signs

* lump or thickening [a mass, swelling, skin irritation, or distortion]
in or near breast or in the underarm area
* nipple discharge with blood, erosion, inversion, or tenderness
* change in the colour or feel of the skin of the breast, areola,
or nipple [dimpled, puckered or scaly]
* change in the size or shape of the breast

Prevention Measure

[a] Breast Self Examination [BSE]

It is very important for every woman above 20 years old to learn and practise BSE regularly once a month, about a week after each menstrual period.

Women who no longer have periods should practise BSE on a fixed date each month.

About 90% of breast lumps are detected by BSE. These lumps are usually not cancerous but early detection of cancerous lumps in the breast gives the best chance of a completely successful treatment.

Routine Mammogram

Women age 40 - 49 years of age are encouraged to go for regular mammography every year while those 50 years and above should go every two years.

Women who are at higher risk of developing breast cancer should see a doctor for advice.

The cost of healthcare has increased tremendously over the last 10 years. Your finances and savings can be wiped out by a major hospitalisation. It is essential to ensure adequate insurance cover to cushion the financial burden if you should become critically ill.

Please feel free to contact me if you need more information about the critical illness insurance covers offer by NTUC INCOME, under no obligation of course.

Smoking - Don't Puff Away Your Precious Life

2007-07-05T14:12:00.000+08:00

Before you light up the next cigarette or cigar, think about the harm it can do to your health.

You may or may not know - all smokers are at extra risks for :-

* coronary heart disease [e.g. heart attacks]
* peripheral vascular disease [circulatory problems]
* aortic aneurysm
* high blood pressure
* high cholesterol [LDL]
* lung cancer
* cancer of the mouth, throat and voice box
* cancer of the pancreas
* cancer of the kidney and urinary bladder
* chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
* chronic bronchitis
* emphysema
* pneumonia
* influenza [flu]
* common cold
* peptic ulcers
* chronic bowel disease [crohn's disease]
* tooth decay [cavities]
* gum disease
* osteoporosis
* sleep problems [falling asleep inappropriately and/or frequent waking]
* cataracts
* thyroid disease [Grave's disease]

As for the female smokers , you are at extra risk for :-

+ cancer of the cervix [womb]
+ menstrual problems
+ fertility problems
+ spontaneous abortion

Male smokers have an extra risk of :-

^ erectile dysfunction [impotence]
^ fertility problems [problems with sperm]

There is also evidence linking smoking to cancer of the colon and leukaemia. Smoking can also cause wrinkles, creating the appearance of premature aging. The sense of smell and taste are also reduced.

Fortunately, most of these harmful effects are reversible.

So make a resolution to quit NOW !!!

Saving Needs Self-Discipline

2007-07-03T18:59:00.000+08:00

Ever heard of this :-

The success or failure of a long range savings and investment plan is
not predicated on the rate of return.

Its success depends on the use of a systematic plan of putting money in and leaving it there.

I truly subscribe to this belief. How about you? Indeed, there are some people who buy life insurance but give up half-way through for reason best known to themselves. So, by the time they need the money most they have none. Do you want this to happen to you?

So friends, only through a systematic and disciplined way can you
then see your money grows in the years to come. Think about it!!

Buying Life Insurance - Factors To Consider

2007-06-29T13:07:00.000+08:00

Hi folks

Do remember, apart from really financial constraints, you must not forget about these factors :-

1. Health

2. Occupation and your hobbies

3. Cost - premiums increase the longer you delay

Whatever life insurance you buy now, rather that later, will be bought at a "discount" so to speak.... because the higher premium you "pay" [set aside] later is not just for one year... but for every year thereafter !!!

So, why procrastinate. In your own interest act now !! Drop me a note if I can be of service to you.

Have You Heard This Story

2007-06-28T15:13:00.000+08:00

There is a legend of three horsemen crossing the desert at night.

Out of the darkness came a voice commanding them to dismount and fill their pockets with pebbles.

After they had obeyed and remounted, the voice declared - "Tomorrow at sun-up you will be both glad and sad"

When dawn came, they reached into their pockets and discovered not pebbles, but diamonds.

Then they were both glad and sad - glad they had taken as much as they had; sad they had not taken more !

The moral of the story : And so it is with life insurance!!

There are some rich people who feel they have no need to buy life insurance

2007-06-27T09:34:00.000+08:00

Yes, I ever come across prospects who are well off who confided with me that they have no need to buy life insurance.

Well, I can say one likely reason is perhaps they feel they have set aside a large enough asset base to sustain their family after they are gone.

This may be a fact, but to me it is a dangerous assumption. While the estate may contain an asset base that is large enough, there may not be adequate cash around to meet immediate needs for example to main an accustomed standard of living or to pay astronomical medical bills and other unforeseen last expenses. The result may be a forced sale of valuable assets accumulated over the years by the deceased.

Adequate life insurance provides the necessary cash to tie the family over this critical period thus preventing assets from being liquidated at the wrong time. It may even prevent the forced disposal of assets that the deceased had no intention of selling.

Even if sufficient cash is around now, there is no guaranteed there will be enough at the time of the breadwinner's departure.

Only life insurance can give your loved ones a CASH GUARANTEE at your exit. Do you agree?

Why Is There A Common Belief That Other Types Of Investment Are Better Than Life Insurance

2007-06-25T15:26:00.000+08:00

Yes, I often hear people say "better to invest in other types of investment rather that in life insurance"

Well, to begin with, the word "better" is subjective in so far as investment is concern. If you can guarantee that you are going to live a long time, then perhaps life insurance does not look as attractive or lucrative as other forms of investment.

What if you had died yesterday after contributing the premiums for just a month? Obviously, in such a situation, no other investment can match life insurance, isn't?

Most people tend to perceive and judge the quality of an investment based solely on the rate of return - especially when it comes to an investment they disfavour like life insurance. They discount the fact that the object of investing also affects the quality of the investment.

It is a known fact, the primary function of Life Insurance is financial protection in times of greatest need; that is when a person dies or becomes permanently disabled. In this respect, life insurance reigns supreme as an investment product.

Moreover, you are only setting aside a small portion of your money in life insurance. The major portions are already in other forms of investment. Why then do you need to argue on this small portion of your investment?

So, you should give financial protection your top priority before you talk about other forms of investment. Invest with peace of mind make sure that your family's financial needs are taken care of first.

The Lazy Way To Save More Money For Your Old Age

2007-06-20T10:36:00.000+08:00

Hi folks

Do you

** pay taxes?
** want to reduce your tax burden?
** increase the yield on your savings?
** accumulate more funds for a comfortable retirement?

If your answer is "YES" to one of the above, then invest using this vehicle viz. Supplementary Retirement Scheme [SRS in short].

SRS was introduced by the Government on 1 April 20001.

According to the Ministry of Finance’s statistic, the number of tax-payers who participated in the SRS shot up from 11,890 [in 2001] to 31,413 as at end Dec 2005. An increase in 264%. The number of taxpayers who opted to transfer their SRS savings to growing their money in surance portfolio also saw an increase from 28% [in 2001] to 39% in Dec 2005.

The SRS is part of the Singapore government’s multi-pronged strategy to address the financial needs of a greying population, which were highlighted in the Report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the Ageing Population, released in November 1999.

The SRS complements the Central Provident Fund (CPF). CPF savings are meant to provide for housing and medical needs and for basic living needs after retirement.

Unlike the CPF scheme, participation in SRS is voluntary. Participants can contribute a varying amount to SRS (subject to a cap) at their own discretion. The contributions may be used to purchase various investment instruments. All Singaporeans, Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) and foreigners who

• are at least 21 years old;
• are not undischarged bankrupts; and
• are not of unsound mind.
are eligible to open SRS account.

With the SRS, the government hopes to encourage Singaporeans to save more for their old age, by means of voluntary contributions to their SRS accounts.

The SRS offers attractive tax benefits :

•contributions to SRS are eligible for tax relief,
•investment returns are accumulated tax-free(with the exception of
Singapore dividends from which tax is deducted or deductible by the
payer company under section 44 of the Income Tax Act)
.and only 50% of the withdrawals from SRS are taxable at retirement.

With more CPF cuts and lower caps and particularly if you are utilizing your CPF saving for other purposes currently, you may find that you may end up with little money in your CPF account for you to enjoy upon your retirement.

SRS is one option that you should seriously consider now.

Foreigners working or doing business here in Singapore and who are looking to reduce their tax burden can also consider the SRS scheme as well.

If you are one of the current 800,000 plus tax payers who wants to know more about SRS scheme works and how it can benefit you financially, you are welcome to contact me. I shall be more than happy to walk through with you on the tax benefits etc that you can get from SRS.

Why Do Most People Avoid Life Insurance Agents?

2007-06-19T09:49:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday I went for a brisk walking session organised by my Resident's Committee. I striked up a conversatin with a few folks and when they asked me what do I do for a living I naturally said I'm an Life Insurance Agent. As expected, they avoided talking to me immediately.

Question is why do most people tend to avoid or dislike life insurance agents?

There could be many reasons for this.

One obvious one is that life insurance is a difficult product to sell, and because of this fact, many agents applied too much pressure in order to get their sales. Since nobody likes to be pressured, these actions irritate them and caused them to disfavour life insurance agents.

The result of this sad and silly prejudice against agents is that many families are left financially unprotected.

It is important for people to wisely separate their dislike for agents, if any, from their need for life insurance coverage to protect their loved ones. After all, like any other good profession, there are both bad and good practitioners.

Whatever it is, I feel that a prospect only need to exercise his wisdom to choose a good one to serve him.

NTUC INCOME's Core Value

2007-06-12T19:32:00.000+08:00

Folks in case you do not know what does INCOME mean. Here is the answer:--

Immediate - prompt response and service

No Hassle - transact in a simple manner convenient to customers

Considerate - helpful and show respect to customers

Open - honest and sincere towards customers

Magnanimous - fair to customers and generous in contributing
towards the community

Excellence - excel, innovate and improve continuously

Increase in GST of 7%

2007-06-08T18:32:00.000+08:00

As you may be aware, it was announced by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore [IRAS] the Goods & Services Tax [GST in short] will be increased from 5% to 7% with effect from 1 July 2007.

Under the IRAS's guideline, an additional 2% GST will be charged for all invoices that remain outstanding as at 1 July 2007.

The GST of 7% will apply to General and Health Insurance products. It will NOT apply to Life Insurance products.

NTUC INCOME's policyholders who have outstanding premiums due [health & general insurances] and have not settled yet are therefore advised to settle by 30 Jun 2007.

How to save for your child's tertiary education?

2007-06-05T10:32:00.000+08:00

Hi folks

I was away attending to some seminars over a couple of days and thus you don't get to hear from me for the past few days. Here I'm back again.

Today, I will briefly touched on how to save money for your child's tertiary education needs.

Many parents wonder what they should to do to save for their child's future education. Here we can take a look at two popular options:-

**an education policy from an insurance company and
**a more direct investment, in a well-designed unit trust [or an investment-linked] portfolio.

Let's see the difference"

Education Policy
---------------------

An education policy is usually a combination of a growth policy and life/illness coverage. The main benefit is that the policy provides an investment vehicle - your premiums go mostly towards an investment account that will return say 4.5% - 5.5% p.a. typically with a guarantee of say 2.0 - 2.25% pa.

Another benefit is that in the event of death or permanent disability of the parent, the future premium may be waived, or parents can buy an option to waive premiums upon diagnosis of major illnesses in themselves or their children. These policies can be bought from all major insurance companies.

Unit trust [or investment-linked] portfolio
----------------------------------------------------

Another approach is to build a fairly aggressive investment portfolio, suitable for a 20 year time frame. One portfolio could be a combination of funds [like the NTUC INCOME's combined funds]. This kind of portfolio would be expected to return an attractive return, taking into account the fee charged.

Which is best?
------------------

Many people would instinctively pick an insurance policy on the assumption that it's the "safest option". But the difference in returns and expected value after 20 years can be quite dramatic, and the safest route may be to go for a direct investment - because the downside is comparable to other options yet the upside is large. Indeed insurance policies may have a very low guranteed return - a fact which is often overlooked. In insurance jargon: "the maturity amount is projected based on current bonuses that may be increased or reduced in future".

For this reason we think most parents should seriously look at unit trust [or investment-linked] portfolio. If they do consider an education policy, they must read the small print carefully.

You can make a comparison yourself i.e. putting the same amount of money in your bank savings account vs an education policy vs an unit trust[or investment-linked portfolio], you can see that latter is still the best option to consider.

In fact, young families will usually be better off with basic term life insurance to cover against the unforeseen - the susbstantially lower premiums enable them to buy better protection against loss of income or other disaster. And then remaining funds can be placed in other vehicles [e.g. investment-linked policy] that are likely to generate returns better than life insurance contracts.

This way they and their children can enjoy the best of specialists - protection from insurance companies, and investment returns from fund managers.

I would be more than happy to share with parents who are contemplating setting up an education fund for their child's future study needs.

Do feel free to drop me a note for a discussion - absolutely under no obligation!

What Is Investment-Linked Policy ?

2007-05-24T10:06:00.000+08:00

Some people asked me what is "investment-linked" plan?

Well, I try to share with you in the simplest term.

An investment-linked plan is actually a life insurance plan that combines investment and protection.

The premiums that you contribute provide you not only with life insurance cover but part of the premiums will also be invested in specific or selected investment funds of your choice. You, as a policyholder, can choose how to allocate your insurance premiums towards protection and investment.

The insurance coverage provided would include death benefit, disability.

The investment fund is divided into units of equal value. The prices of these units are published daily in the newspaper for you to track the value of your investment. In the case of NTUC INCOME, you can view the prices [click this webpage]

Comparing with traditional life insurance policy, investment-linked plan has the following unique features :-

[1]you are given the flexibility to choose your own level of protection and investment

[2]you can vary the amount of your premium payments or coverage according to your changing financial circumstances

[3]you can choose from a wide variety of funds to invest,
depending on the level of risk that you are comfortable with.

[4]investment in growth or equity-related funds may give higher returns than traditional life insurance plans over the long term. However, you have to bear in mind that higher returns come with greater risk.

As it is today, I observe that more people are putting their money in an investment-linked plan compared to the traditional life insurance policy.

If you are undecided which is the best option, you are welcome to drop me a note and I shall be more than happy to walk through with you on the benefits of investment-linked plan vis-a-vis traditional life insurance plan.

Invest In Life Assurance Program While U Are Still Insurable

2007-05-22T09:50:00.000+08:00

If you feel you are still in good health and have not seen a doctor lately. Why wait, quickly take up a life policy while you are still in the pink of health!

I know of a guy who underwent angioplasty. Only after that he knows the value of life insurance and yet not be able to buy one. He was told to re-apply after 5 years. After his long wait, he was relieved that he could be accepted.

So never take good health for granted. You should thank god for it and insure yourself immediately.

Ever heard this :-

"When I don't want to buy, every agent looks for me. When I needed to buy, no agent can help me"

"When I'm insurable, I don't have the money. When I have the money, I not be insurable"

So folks, whatever these may be, please take advantage of your good health, get yourself insured immediately.

Buy some basic plan first. Buy according to your affordability. It is always better to have some plan than no plan at all.

Will You Deny Your Loved One Who Asks For A Daily Allowance

2007-05-21T18:26:00.000+08:00

Think of it i.e. if your loved ones asked you for an additional $6.00 in daily allowance, would you say no?

This additional $6.00 a day outlay is equal more or less $2,000 a year. That's the approximate yearly deposits for a $100,000 life insurance cover!

You can see, most people can afford to protect their family through life insurance program.

It is just that many thought the premiums are out of their reach.

As a matter of fact, many people take the payment of premiums as a burden or liability when it is not. When you bank a part of your monthly salary into your bank account for example you never complaint or find it a burden.

But why find it a burden when you pay your monthly premium ? Fact is you are actually setting aside a monthly contribution to your savings account this time through insurance program, isn't?

Endowment Insurance

2007-05-13T19:04:00.000+08:00

There are people who are under the impression that there is only one type of life insurance. The answer is no. Endowment is another one. An Endownent insurance plan has two roles to play.

One is to provide insurance protection in the same way as a whole life or term policy does.

The second, is to offer a person i.e. policyholder a means of accumulating a tidy sum in cash savings.

For this type of plan, there is a time frame i.e. you can select a period of time e.g. 10, 15 or 20 years; or up to a certain age e.g 55, 60 or 65 years old.

So long as the life assured is alive during the term of the coverage, premiums are payable. The sum assured is payable to the assured when the policy matures or to the beneficiary [in the case of NTUC INCOME to the nominee] in the event of the life assured dying before the policy matures.

Please click here if you want to know more about Endowment Policy offered by NTUC INCOME.

Whole Life Insurance

2007-05-10T09:54:00.000+08:00

A whole life plan offers protection for life. When you buy a whole life plan you buy it with the intention of paying [or setting aside] the premium throughout your lifetime.

The premium usually remains unchanged and stops to be payable at a specified age e.g. 85.

Although the yearly premium for a whole life plan can initially be several times higher than for a corresponding amount of term insurance, this can be deceptive. That is because if you were to keep renewing the term insurance, the yearly premium you would find yourself paying in later years would be higher than if you’d bought a whole life plan in the first place.

Moreover, whole life plan contains an important savings element. What happens is, a portion of the excess of the whole life premium – over and above the term premium – is accrued by the policyholder as savings, commonly known as its Cash Value.

Which Plan Is Right To Buy?

2007-05-08T09:19:00.000+08:00

Just as no two people are the same, no one insurance plan is right for every individual.

Really, which plan you choose or like depend on your personal needs.

In order to ascertain those needs, you need to assess your responsibilities, e.g. who your dependents are; are you the sole bread-winner. You'll also have to determine just what your resources are. Now, in the event of death who should be financially protected. How much income will be required to ensure that protection.

As a general guideline, when you have a young family, your insurance needs are generally at their highest. You may find that the best way to afford the amount of insurance you need is to buy a basic policy with quite a large term rider or a stand-alone Term policy.

On the other hand, if you wish to provide protection for your family while you are young, but at the same time would like to build a source of money for your use later, then you should be looking for appropriate plans that give you the return. You may want to look at a whole life or an endowment plan with its built-in savings programme.

There is another way i.e. you may buy a term plan that does not have builit-in savings and each year, invest the difference between the basic and the term premium in a savings account, government bond, or some other form of investments like an investment-link plan.

If you are the kind of person who can save regularly and keept it saved, you may build up an adequate sum of money for your retirement or for a specified purpose e.g. vacation or an education fund for your children.

However, few people are able to discipline themselves to save on a regular basis or resist using their savings for short-term needs. Instead, they prefer the semi-compulsion of saving through a basic life policy, especially when they can arrange for premiums to be deducted automatically from GIRO.

If you ask me, I would prefer to have a "Mix" of basic insurance and term riders to provide higher cover in the case of a contigency. One plan along would not be able to solve all your financial problems so to speak, bearing in mind that your needs change over time.

Buying Health Insurance

2007-05-05T14:04:00.000+08:00

Folks you may want to ask these questions before taking up a health insurance policy :-

* what will my health insurance policy cover?

* am I already covered for the same thing under another health
insurance policy?

* what doesn't the health insurance policy cover and when will I not
be covered?

* how much will I be paying for my health insurance and will I be able
to afford the premiums over the long term?

* how often will the premium be charged and will it be a fixed or
variable sum?

* will my policy automatically be renewed and what is the penalty if I
do not pay any premium on time?

* when or in what circumstances will my health insurance policy end?

* how do I end my policy?

* are there any limits to the benefits that can be paid out from my
policy?

* how will my future premiums be affected after I have made a claim?

* will I be covered for medical treatment performed outside
Singapore?

* how is my health insurance policy affected by other schemes that
pay for the healthcare?

* how do I make a claim?

If you have not taken up any health insurance for yourself or for your loved ones, you may want to have a look at the plans available in NTUC INCOME. Click here for more information.

Building Your Child's University Fund The Easy Way Out

2007-05-03T11:39:00.000+08:00

NTUC INCOME has just launched a new education policy called “Pay My ‘Uni’” in place of the old Child Education Policy.

What makes this plan unique is that the payouts can be spread over the duration of the tertiary education – covering yearly fees and expenses.

The payouts are available in 3 convenient parts. The steady stream of funds can coincide with the years of study to cover ongoing school fees and other expenses :

* 2 years before maturity of policy: > 40% of sum assured

* 1 year before maturity of policy : > 40% of sum assured

* Upon maturity of policy : > 20% of sum assured(plus
accumulated bonuses).

To meet the needs of unforeseen circumstances, the plan also offers the following covers :-

** Waiver of all future premiums in the event of death, or total and
permanent total disability of parent.

** Payment for each day of hospitalisation and medical leave
following discharge from hospital of child.

Payment of full sum assured plus accumulated bonus upon death, total and permanent total disability, or diagnosis of terminal illness of child

Parent also can enhance the protection further with a wide range of optional covers. For example, the Enhanced Income Benefit provides additional monthly allowance to the child in the event of death, total and permanent disability or diagnosis of dreaded diseases of the parent. The Child Plus covers child’s specific illnesses.

An another attractive feature is that upon maturity, your child can continue to enjoy the assurance without hassle - your child can purchase another whole life or endowment policy with no underwriting. The sum assured can be up to 3 times the original sum assured.

You can choose the length of coverage (from 8 to 24 years) to coincide the maturity of the policy with the final year of university, so as to take advantage of lower monthly premium and higher yield.

It is important to maximise your child’s potential. PayMy‘Uni’ plan gives you a head start in planning for your child’s tertiary education.

So, start putting aside a regular amount monthly right away. You will see your savings grow to a significant amount to meet the rising cost of education in the years to come.

Click Here if you want to know what is the cost of a 4-year university study.

Do drop me a note or contact me if you want to know more about this plan.

Critical Illnesses Insurance Cover

2007-04-30T10:13:00.000+08:00

Some people are under the impression that medical insurance and critical illnesses insurance are the same.

Critical illnesses insurance are variously called "Living Assurance", "Critical Illness Insurance", "Dread Disease Insurance".

In the case of NTUC INCOME, it has "LIVING POLICY", LIMITED PREMIUM LIVING POLICY and LIVING ENDOWMENT POLICY .

A typical plan pays the full sum assured in a lump sum upon death, upon the diagnosis of a specified illness or upon suffering from total and permanent disability.

The illnesses usually include heart attack, most cancer, stroke, kidney failure and many more.

This money can be used to meet your daily expenses, to provide funds for medical treatment or for other uses.

The diagnosis must be made by a registered medical practitioner and supported by clinical, radiological, histological and laboratory evidence, as appropriate.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed and the claim is admitted, the policy money becomes immediately payable and the policy terminates.

If no claim for major illnesses is made, the policy continues to provide normal life insurance cover.

As may be expected, life insurance companies apply different underwriting guidelines for this type policy. For example, the family medical history, would be taken into consideration as a significant underwriting factor. It is important that you refer to the contract document of the company that you purchase.

A benefit is usually not payable in certain situation. For example, a heart or kidney failure which existed at the time the policy was taken out. Commonly known as pre-existing condition.

You can buy it as part of a policy which provides whole life insurance protection, or it can be attached as a supplementary benefit to a basic plan such as a whole life or endowment policy.

If you buy as a supplementary benefit to a basic plan, in the event of a claim under the supplementary contract, the main or basic plan can still continue in full force as long as you continue to pay premium.

If you want to know more about what NTUC INCOME's critical illnesses plans do drop me a note.

World Internet MEGA Summit 2007 in Singapore

2007-04-27T00:12:00.000+08:00

Good News to all Internet Marketers and also those who want to learn how to do online business.

This great Internet Marketing Seminar is to be held in Singapore next month.

Eleven of the world's best internet experts are coming together to speak at this MEGA Summit 2007.

Not only will you learn powerful internet marketing strategies and tips to expand your business and make money but you’ll also meet many other internet gurus and marketing experts from from all over the world.

Come and meet marketing pioneers like Jay Abraham and Mark Joyner and Internet Marketing Experts like Joe Comm amd Mike Filsaime and the rest.

There’s only a few seats left. So if you want the inside running on what’s working and selling on the internet, you’ve got to be here.

In fact, there are 7 key reasons why you should attend.

Click here e for more details.

What Must You Disclose When You Buy Life Insurance?

2007-04-26T09:16:00.000+08:00

This concern an applicant's duty of disclosure.

It is the duty of the applicant [the proposer] to disclose - important i.e. clearly and accurately, all material facts relating to the proposed insurance. Indeed, it is a positive not a negative duty.

It is confined to matters of fact not a matter of opinion. A FACT which would affect the judgement of a prudent underwriter in considering whether he would enter into a contract at all or enter into it at one rate of premium or another.

A material fact would include any communication made to, or any information received by, the proposer.

The proposer must disclose before the contract is concluded all material facts which he knows, or ought to know. Failure to make such disclosure renders the contract voidable, at the insurer's option. This is so even if the failure to disclose is inadvertent, or where the proposer honestly regarded the fact as immaterial.

Whether or not a fact is material cannot rest upon the opinion of the proposer.

What is material is a matter of fact, and the final judgement can be given only by a court of law. Expert evidence may be called to prove or disprove the materiality of a fact which has not be disclosed.

So when you buy a life insurance policy, remember, as a proposer the onus is on you "to disclose in the proposal form, fully and faithfully all the facts which you know in respect of the risk that is being proposed, otherwise the policy issued may be void. This is clearly stated on the Proposal Form pursuant to Section 25[5] Insurace Act, Cap 142 [or any subsequent amendments thereof] [for Singapore].

I will continue to share with folks what I know and hope this bit of knowledge that I acquired is useful.

What Is "LOVE"

2007-04-23T21:03:00.000+08:00

Love is one of the basics of healthy relationship.

Having said this, it all depends on your definition of love. Most people think that love is a feeling, but some would strongly debate that point.

Actually, the concept of "like" is really about feelings. When you say you like someone, you are talking about how you feel. But when you say that you love someone, you are not necessarily talking about how you feel about them.

Love is much deeper than a feeling. Love is a commitment we make to people to always treat that person right and honorably. Yes, for those we become especially close to, we will have feelings of love, but some believes it is time for us to re-examine what we mean by love.

We must expand our definition of what love means by including the commitment aspect of love.

For healthy relationships, we must love everyone. We may not like them based on how we feel about them, but we should love them based on our definition of love above which in turn determines how we should act towards them, that is, treat them right and honorably.

So this is the basis of all healthy relationships that I learned and want to share with you folks.

Life Insurance Is A Winner's Game

2007-04-20T11:18:00.000+08:00

Some people feels the pinch when you ask them to buy life insurance. They take it as a financial burden or liability.

But life insurance has its usefulness. Life insurance pays whether you live or die. It can even be used as a collateral for a loan during an emergency. As a matter of fact, you never lose in the end.

So you see - it is an investment game you can never lose.

Time To Look At Critical Illnesses Insurance

2007-04-18T19:51:00.000+08:00

Some people are under the impression that medical insurance and critical illnesses insurance are the same.

Critical illnesses insurance are variously called "Living Assurance", "Critical Illness Insurance", "Dread Disease Insurance". In the case of NTUC INCOME, it has "LIVING POLICY", LIMITED PREMIUM LIVING POLICY and LIVING ENDOWMENT POLICY .

A typical plan pays the full sum assured in a lump sum upon death, upon the diagnosis of a specified illness or upon suffering from total and permanent disability.

The illnesses usually include heart attack, most cancer, stroke, kidney failure and many more.

This money can be used to meet your daily expenses, to provide funds for medical treatment or for other uses.

The diagnosis must be made by sa registered medical practitioner and supported by clinical, radiological, histological and laboratory evidence, as appropriate.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed and the claim is admitted, the policy money becomes immediately payable and the policy terminates.

If no claim for major illnesses is made, the policy continues to provide normal life insurance cover.

As may be expected, life insurance companies apply different underwriting guidelines for this type policy. For example, the family medical history, would be taken into consideration as a significant underwriting factor. It is important that you refer to the contract document of the company that you purchase.

A benefit is usually not payable in certain situatiuon. For example, a heart or kidney failure which existed at the time the policy was taken out. Commonly known as pre-existing condition.

You can buy it as part of a policy which provides whole life insurance protection, or it can be attached as a supplementary benefit to a basic plan such as a whole life or endowment policy.

If you buy as a supplementary benefit to a basic plan, in the event of a claim under the supplementary contract, the main or basic plan can still continue in full force as long as you continue to pay premium.

Is Life Insurance Meant Only For the Rich?

2007-04-17T09:48:00.000+08:00

I was having a coffeee session with a group of elderly people at my favorite coffee-shop Sunday last when an auntie asked me what I do for a living.

I told her that I help people to buy life insurance etc. Instantaneously, she told the rest that life insurance is only for the rich?

So you see, many people have the belief that life insurance is only meant for the rich because they thought only those who are rich have the money or mean to buy or have the need to insure themselves.

This is what they feel. Are their suppositions correct, I don't think so.

Those in the lower-middle income group generally I think can spare say 10-15% of their income for life insurance investment. That is I suppose should be sufficient to create enough life insurance coverage to protect them against the loss of income due to death or disablement. That is to say, better to have some life insurance coverage than nothing so to speak.

Secondly, it is important to appreciate the paradox that those who cannot afford to insure themselves have the greatest need for life insurance coverage.

Can you imagine if a person cannot afford a 10% cut in income, how can his family afford a 100% cut after he is gone?

I can understand that it is painful to give up current enjoyment by putting away dispensable income in life insurance. This is especially so for people who are not rich and therefore have limited disposable income.

It takes moral strength to make such a painful but right decision.

If are in doubt what life insurance coverage meets your need, do contact me and I would be more than happy to discuss with you.

The Best Kept Secret Is Finally Leaked Out

2007-04-15T12:23:00.000+08:00

Good News all NTUC INCOME's valued policyholders!

INCOME's BEST KEPT SECRET is finally leaked out.

In case you miss reading it in the local newspapers.
Click here to find out yourself

You may want to know - NTUC Income, a co-operative insurance society formed in 1970, was initiated by Dr Goh Keng Swee during the "Modernisation of the Labour Movement" seminar on 18 November 1969.

With a modest capital of $1.2 million, it has become a leader in Life and General Insurance with total assets of S$16 billion. Today, it has more than 1.8 million policyholders placing their trust in INCOME.

INCOME has always placed the interests of its policyholders foremost. It distributes 98% of its surplus to policyholders which is higher compared to industry practice.

It also provides special benefits to its customers under the concept, "More Than Insurance". Some of these include competitive loans, will writing services and home services such as plumbing and renovation.

It recognises its wider responsibilities to the community. Each year it provides generous support to the arts, sports, education, healthy lifestyle, charity, trade unions and the environment. In recognition of its efforts and contribution, it has received numerous awards.

For folks who are not NTUC INCOME's policyholders yet, I urge you to choose NTUC INCOME as your preferred Insurer.

To find out more details, you are welcome to drop me a note.

8th Wonder Of The World - What Is It?

2007-04-13T09:01:00.000+08:00

Ever wonder how is it that an average folk with below-average education and income can accumulate a small fortune? I suppose you know it. Well, the secret to building a fortune is compounding interest.

Webster's defines compound interest as "the interest paid on both the principal and the accumulated unpaid interest." The keyword here is "accumulated". If the principal or interest is spent instead of reinvested, the power of compounding is diminished.

Also known as the "doubling concept", compounding has created more fortunes than any other single investment vehicle in history.

With compounding, your money is working for you, even when you are not working.

What I have learned is that the well-renowned Albert Einstein [the man who knew a thing or two about mathematics] went so far as to call "compounding" the "8th wonder of the world".

Indeed, compounding is the wealth creation principle that drives Wall Street and the banking industry.

So folks, start saving with whatever amount that you are comfortable with, if you have not done so.

If you want to know how you can saving through in life insurance program, please feel free to drop me a note.

Fresh Potato Juice Can Control Further Spread Of Cancer Cells

2007-04-12T08:56:00.000+08:00

Today I'm going to divert my topical matter to share something that I pick up from a booklet titled "Fresh Potato Juice Treatment Yields New Findings" by Jue Xin Ju Shi [Lay Buddhist Jue Xin]. I find it fascinating and I hope it can bring some hope to those who are in need of some help.

In its Introductory message it says that more and more people are recovering from illnesses by drinking fresh potato juice. It further says "Fresh potato juice can control further spread of cancer cells."

According to the author "there have been a number of cancer patients who have undergone this type of treatment this year, while several have gradually recovered, to the extent that when some are saved from the brink of death, they have called to inform of their eternal joy."

A Budhist monk, Master Tomizawa, who advocates fresh potato juice treatment, has received overwhelming response in letters from cancer sufferers from all over Japan. With such an encouaging result, it will further publish clinical cases of fresh potato juice treatments.

Mash fresh potatoes to pulp. Drink one to two glasses of potato juice derived from this pulp every day and continuously. This will mainly cure cancer, but recovery cases from liver disease, diabetes, gastric ulcer, kidney disease, heart diseases, hypertension, lumbago and sore shoulders etc have also been reported.

For example, a Mr T had a tumour growth under his ear which was diagnosed to be malignant and which had also been operated on before. He later received radiotherapy, but up to last year, his cancer cells had spread to his lungs.

He was diagnosed to have lung cancer at a cancer specialist hospital and proclaimed beyond cure. Thereafter he started actively participating in fresh potato juice treatment. At present, the spread of his cancer cells is under control and his physical strength has improved and should be able to return to work.

The booklet also described the methods of preparation and further revelation of how the potato juices have been used for treatment of other type of illnesses. In fact, it states that there is no risk at all in using Fresh Potato Juice treatment. Anyone could start it immediately and within a very short period, one could really feel the effects.

So much to share with you.

If you are interested to know more do drop me a note.

Invest In Life Insurance - Will You Lose or Not?

2007-04-10T11:03:00.000+08:00

Let say if a person saves $200 per month with an insurance company, and the insurer put $100,000 into his family's bank account.

If he dies, his family receives $100,000. On the other hand, if he chooses to put the $200 in the bank, what his family get will be the exact amount he saved per month plus some earned interest.

However, if he lives say till retirement, the insurance company refund him the deposits with interest.

So you see - one has nothing to lose by investing in life insurance. Does it make sense?

If you can see the benefit of owning a life insurance policy - don't procrastinate get it started immediately if you have not done so.

Well, many a time we hear people saying "I can't afford to commit further financial burden." It is understandable. However, you don't need to over commit yourself financially. A simple and practical way out is - just transfer a comfortable percentage of your monthly bank saving to an insurance company to put you on the program. For e.g. if you deposit $300 p.m. in the bank, now put in $200 instead and transfer one-third i.e. $100 to the insurance company. You kill two birds with one stone. Get it!

If you are undecided what life insurance meets your need, you are welcome to drop me a note and I will be happy to provide you with some appropriate advice.

Small Savings Make A Big Difference

2007-04-09T15:30:00.000+08:00

Heard about this story ?

Oseola was 40 years old when she was finally able to start saving money. She squirreled away pennies and nickles at first... then quarters... and eventually dollar bills.

She put her savings in a local bank and never touched it. Over time, her savings added up, and the principal and interest on those savings kept building and building.

In the summer of 1995, Oseola - the elementary school drop-out who never earned more than $9,000 a year - donated $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi!

Amazing, isn't! So the moral of the story - save whatever you can afford and it will just grow and grow. Likewise, for the affordable, he may buy a $100,000 coverage, but there is nothing embarrassing if you can afford a $10,000 cover for the time being. Is better to have some insurance cover rather than no cover.

So much to talk about today!

Insure Your Irreplaceable Asset

2007-04-08T10:28:00.000+08:00

You can use your earned income to replace your house if it is burned down uninsured.

Your income can be used to replace your motor vehicle if it is destroyed uninsured.

Question is - can your income be replaced if YOU die uninsured?

So.... if you can sacrifice so much of your life for your loved ones, why not insure it for them....

Feel free to drop me a note if I can be of service to you.

Why People Avoid Talking About Insurance

2007-04-07T15:30:00.000+08:00

Why people avoid talking about insurance. Actually, it is not difficult to know why i.e. the reasons behind this thinking.

Well, I believe you will agree with me - When we talk Life Insurance we talk about death, disability, old age and critical illnessess. None of which are joyous occasions.

We all know these are facts of life, the reality remains that the subject of life insurance reminds people of tragic or woeful events.

For this likely reason, it is only natural that people tend to avoid this subject. Unfortunately, in doing so, they somehow also avoided a vital part of financial planning for their families' future.

As a matter of fact, we have seen many cases where families were left to suffer for numerous years as a result of no or inadequate life insurance coverage on the breadwinner who died prematuredly or unexpectedly.

To know how to go about insuring yourself for the sake of your loved ones you are welcome to drop me a note. I will be more than happy to share with you what I know.

Make Your Decision With The End In Mind

2007-04-05T13:04:00.000+08:00

Your wise decision today can mean a brighter tomorrow for those you love the most.

Insure yourself to protect your loved ones from financial disaster.

The longer you procrastinate the higher would be the cost of your insurance. What is most important is your insurable interest. Can you guarantee that you will stay in your pink of heatlh forever?

Worrying About Retirement?

2007-04-03T09:26:00.000+08:00

I read about this write-up in the Sunday Times about a saving method which you can apply when you are planning your retirement.

I find it useful and am putting it here just in case you gave it a miss. This write-up was extracted from the book titled Savvy Savings Guide - SAVING FOR RETIREMENT by Paul Westbrook.

You are young and you want a simple answer. You want to know how much you need to save to retire on time, so here it is :-

The 10-12-15 per cent solution.

* age 25 : save 10% of your salary
* age 30 : save 12%
* age 40 : save 15%

If you are just starting your career and are, say between 20 and 25, save 10% of your salary until you retire.

If you are 30 and have not yet begun to put money away, save 12% of your salary.

If you are 40 and have US$50K [S$76K] in retirement investments, save 15% of your salary. If you are 40 and have zero retirement savings, you will either need to push back your plans for retirement or save a whopping 22% a year.

If you are in this bind, however, you might need to resort to retiring on a shoestring.

This 10-12-15% savings rate is the most important retirement action you can take early in your career.

Simply start and continue a systematic savings and investment programme. It will, in general, allow you to retire at age 65. It also allows for an emergency or two that requires you to dip into some of the money.

It not only prescribes your retirement savings target, but also allows you to have financial flexibility for life's uncertainties.

These calculations assume that you will live to age 90 and that you will enjoy a 25-year retirement. If you are married and your spouse also works and earns the same salary as you, then you will have US$2 million between the two of you.

The rates also assume there will be no employer to match your investments, like a 401[k] plan, and you will have no pensions. With any of these additions, you retirement will be more comfortable.

These rates do assume you will get a 3% salary increase each year and that you will need about 65% of your then salary at retirement to maintain your lifestyle.

If your salary grows faster, or slower, you will still contribute 10%, 12%, 15% of it to retirement investments.

Lower taxes, no work expenses and not having to save for retirement anymore are the prime reasons that explain the lower financial requirement of 65%.

NTUC INCOME has some excellent investment plans that may help you to fulfill your retirement goals. Do let stay in touch with me if I can be of assistance to you.

Your Life Is Like Carbon

2007-04-02T10:23:00.000+08:00

As you may know, both diamond and coal are made of carbon. However, one is very valuable while the other is of little monetary value.

So your life is like a "diamond". By insuring your life, you
leave behind a "diamond" so to speak. Otherwise, what's left to your loved ones is like worthless "coal".

So really you have to make a choice - a "diamond" or "coal."

Just food for thought.

What Can Be Bought When You Don't Neet It

2007-03-30T10:19:00.000+08:00

Life insurance is like a parachute. You may not need it. But when
you do you better have it or you will never need it ever again.

Life insurance, like any type of insurance, can only be bought when
you don't need it. It is too late to buy when the need arises.

A dead man, a sick man or a disabled man cannot buy life insurance

I Don't Need Insurance Because I ....

2007-03-29T12:19:00.000+08:00

Just a recollection. Some years back I had an occasion to sit down with a Prospect to do a Financial Need Analysis. True enough - after subtracting the liability from his net asset, there was a surplus of one plus million $$$. Bottom line - he said thank you not need to buy life insurance.

That was right theoretically. However, my suggestion to him was unless someone could guarantee him that he could stay in the pink of health for the rest of his life then fine.

I told him that once a critical illness striked, the illness could literally wreck the fortune he had accumulated over a lifetime? He nodded in agreement.

Indeed, Critical Illnesses are becoming more and more common. Worst still, the various costs of medical treatments are sky-rocketing. So, why expose your savings to these medical-cost risk.

Leave your savings for your family. Pass the risk of high medical treatment cost to the Insurer then.

So these are facts :-

Fact 1 - Critical Illnesses are becoming more common today

Fact 2 - Treatment costs are escalating upward speedily

Fact 3 - You can afford the insurance premiums, you may not
be able to afford the unpredictable future treatments costs.

NTUC INCOME offers a critical illness plan popularly known as
LIVING POLICY that covers one against 30 specified illnesses
at affordable cost. It pays to have a look at this website

Do drop me a note if you need my assistance.

A Sincerest Love Letter That You Ever Receive

2007-03-28T14:36:00.000+08:00

Life insurance has been given many names. One touching one is : "the sincerest love letter ever written" by a sole bread winner to all his loved. Why, because no life policy in the world can replace the life of a loved one. The primary purpose of life insurance is not to replace life. It is only to replace income of the breadwinner that sustain life of those who need to live on. It keeps dreams alive even after the breadwinner's demise. Which other love letters were written with such noble intentions in mind? Of course, there is none that can be compared to life insurance, isn't?

Life insurance creates capital where none existed before. In this respect, no other financial instruments on earth can do what life insurance can do. Two cents a year and you create a dollar where there is none before so to speak. Put aside twenty thousand dollars and you create an immediate one million dollars fund. What other instruments can perform such awesome magic?

Insure yourself adequately [your financial capability permits]. Then if your loved ones need to cry, at least, it is because they missed you, not because they can no longer feed themselves. It is time for a crucial decision and the making priority of your needs. Make a little financial sacrifice for their tomorrow, for their many days to come.

Spend say 10% less a day. Is that too much to ask from your dear ones? You will be surprised at how much capital it can create for them. After all, you claimed you sweat so hard to build a future for them, why not insure your life for them? Make the decision today, not tomorrow, for it could be too late.

Make that important decision today - so that when you take a long leave and forget to come back, more people can still smile with tears in their eyes; knowing that they have not only lost a husband, a father, business partner, a debtor but also a sincere individual who has blessed their life. Having said so much really it is all in your hand.

If you have yet to do something meaningful for your loved ones, do drop me at note and I will be more than delighted to share how you could go about creating a capital for the benefits of your loved ones.

Does A Sole Proprietor Of A Business Need Insurance

2007-03-27T11:04:00.000+08:00

Because the law recognizes that the owner and his business are one [sole proprietorship so to speak], the law makes no distinction between the obligation of the business and the obligations of the owner.

If you as a sole proprietor incurs a debt, it makes no difference whether it is a business debt or a personal debt; you are fully liable in either case. A business debt will jeopardize your personal assets; a personal debt will jeopardize your business.

The nature of your sole proprietor business creates several problems that are best solved through insurance. While some of these problems are fully recognized by the professionals, their solutions are obvious only to an experienced insurance adviser.

Take for instance, in order to experience the challenge of being in business for yourself, you are paying a price in term of sacrificed benefits. So sole proprietor in your own interest, it pays to consult an insurance adviser who can propose what’s the best benefits that you would have as an employee.

Life Insurance - To Buy Or Not To Buy ?

2007-03-25T12:55:00.000+08:00

What are the financial consequences of dying young or of living too long? Or of just growing very old? The financial consequences of an early death are obvious: they are not unlike the consequences of permanent total injury or disability. Also, there may be other sources of financial problems such as :-

- life may continue for longer than expected
- future income may dry up to meet recurring expenditure
- unexpected liabilities may arise
- inflation or taxation may reduce expected spending power

Many people choose the purchase of life insurance [be it traditional or investment-linked] plans or annuities as the most efficient means of making provision for uncertain future.

Whatever it is, the best approach is by looking at a household's plan for the future and then examine the events that could frustrate those plans.

Take for e.g. a couple where the husband works and the wife stays at home to look after their 2 kids. The family should take account of the following :-

the implication of the death of the husband
- permanent loss of his income
- need for the wife to return to work
- the length of time before the wife could return to work
if the kids were not yet in school
- the need to engage maid to care for the kids
while mum is at work etc

implication of the death of the wife
- same for the husband, but with extra emphasis on the
need to care for the kids while husband is at work

implication of the survival of husband and wife
- the need for an adequate income for retirement
- the need to provide for nursing and/residential care in old age
- the need to plan for contractual liabilities and debt repayment, if any
- the need to plan for future spending
- the provision of an inheritance for their children.

Once the possible consequences of early death or extreme old age have been identified, they must be measured. For e.g. how much income would be lost if the husband should die? How long would it be before the widow could return to work? How much would she earn?

Nonetheless, the decisions on whether or not to undertake the financial risk by investing in life insurance or annuity, and how much cover to take up, will be influenced by couple of factors such as :

- taxation for premium and benefits
- protection of dependents against premature death
- the provision of an income on retirement etc

Enquiry on how you can go about mapping out a financial plan for you and your loved ones are most welcome.

All About Insurance

2007-03-24T16:55:00.000+08:00

Welcome To My Blog

This is my 1st posting. I intend to use this as my plateform to share and learn all about insurance. Be it life or general insurance. This will also serves as a 2-way communication vehicle between me and my valued clients. It will be speedier for me to disseminate the latest news from the insurance organisation that I represent viz. NTUC INCOME. Naturally, any comments and feedback from readers will be most welcome.

For the start, I just wanted to to say a few words. What exactly is "Insurance". To my knowledge, Insurance is an arrangement by which one party [the Insurer] promises to pay another party [the insured or policyholder] sum of money if something should happen which causes the insured to suffer a financial loss. The responsibility for paying such losses is then transferred from the policyholder to the insurer. In return for accepting the burden of paying for losses when they occur, the insurer charges the insured a price, commonly known as "insurance premium"