A Quick Guide To Understanding ILPs In Singapore
When exploring options for life insurance in Singapore, you might have come across ‘investment
linked policies’ or ILPs. Have you ever wondered what these are or how they can prove
to be a useful addition to your insurance portfolio? If yes, then this article
is just for you! Read on to discover how ILPs work and what advantages they can
possibly offer you.
How does an investment-linked policy work?
An investment linked policy is an
insurance product that has two main components – life insurance (protection) and
investment. The premium that
you put towards the ILP is used to invest in sub-funds. Units of these
sub-funds are then sold to buy insurance and pay for other associated costs
that the insurer charges you.
ILPs
are divided into two main types –
·
Single
premium ILP – True to its name, you pay a single, lump sum premium.
·
Regular
premium ILP – You pay regular premiums that are put towards your investment and
insurance
Insurers
generally allow you to make adjustments to the insurance and investment
components of your ILP as your priorities change in life, subject to terms and
conditions.
ILPs
can be enhanced with riders
Just like other insurance products, ILPs too can be enhanced with riders to increase the protection component of the plan. You can boost your coverage by opting in for riders that provides a payout upon diagnosis of a critical illness or even an accident that affects the major organs.
What
are the advantages of an ILP?
An ILP can hold the following advantages for you
–
·
The potential for returns is can be high
·
You can increase the insurance component without underwriting and even
decrease it to zero after a certain age
·
You can make partial withdrawals when in need
·
You get access to expert-managed funds
Tips to keep in mind
If you are new to ILPs, the following tips might
prove helpful for you –
·
Evaluate the long-term affordability of the premiums, especially if the
payout period will stretch into your retirement years
·
Ask the insurer to provide you with full details of all the fees you
will be charged
·
Speak to a financial consultant if you need help and guidance in making
an informed decision
What are the other alternatives for life
insurance?
If it is purely life insurance that you seek, you
can consider opting for either –
Ø Whole life insurance – Whole
life insurance covers you for the entirety of your life against death, terminal
illness, total permanent disability, and critical illness.
Ø Term life insurance – A term
plan covers
you for a period that has been selected by you against death, terminal illness,
and total permanent disability.
It is advisable to keep pure life insurance
coverage active along with your ILP for increased protection.
Hope that this quick guide will prove useful when
you are considering an investment
linked policy in Singapore. You can always seek the help of a professional financial
consultant for guidance specific to your needs and expectations.
Take care.
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