Early screening for HPV

This article on HPV screening and cervical cancer again reminds us of our risk of contracting cancer in our lifetime. Of course, this does not exclude cancers of other types affecting both males and females e.g. lung cancer, colon cancer.

The MOH statistics bear truth on this (that cancer is a serious threat to you and me) through two sets of statistics:
Principal Causes of Death
Top 10 Conditions of Hospitalisation

A quick check on insurer claim records (courtesy of NTUC website) also reveals data that agree with these observations. The June 2010 statistics already indicate bulk of claims come from cancers.

Early screening and detection saves lives. (One may wish to explore insurances that provide early payout too)

For ladies, to repeat the last statement in the TODAY article, (that is why doctors recommend that) Pap smears be done every three years, even after vaccination. Do it for your self, your spouse and family.

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2-Pay-5 AIA Guaranteed non-par plan, 2.20%pa*

AIA will launch AIA S$ 2Pay5 on 3^rd August 2010.

AIA S$ 2Pay5 is a 5-year non-participating plan with guaranteed returns. Premium term is limited to first 2-years only.

Guaranteed Yield = 2.20% per annum*

Key features/ Benefits:

·         Maturity Benefit with guaranteed return at the end of 5 years

·         Death benefit = higher of Premium Paid or Cash Value

·         Additional 10% Accidental Death Benefit in the first policy year

·         Policy on Guaranteed Issuance offer (nil medical underwriting!)

·         CASH/bank transfer or cheque subscription (Advance Premium payment allowed)

·         Min/Max Investment: SGD 5,000 pa, max SGD 250,000 pa

*only for investment of $25k and above.

Guaranteed Return rates for various premium bands

SGD 5k- 9.5k, 2.00% pa
SGD 10k- 14.5k, 2.10% pa
SGD 15k- 24.5k, 2.15% pa
SGD >=25k, 2.20% pa

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CNA: Hong Kong hires grannies to keep eye on brokers

I was reading the article from ChannelNewsAsia website 'Hong Kong hires grannies to keep eye on brokers'.

"HONG KONG - Hong Kong's hard-nosed financial regulators are adding a new weapon to their arsenal in the battle to protect investors from unscrupulous stockbrokers: old ladies and pregnant women.

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and de-facto central bank, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, plan to hire actors -- including retirees and pregnant women -- to make sure banks and brokerages use above-board techniques when selling investment products."
Article reference

Following the aftermath of the Lehman collapse, it is no surprise that consumers, savvy and non-savvy alike, generally take a more serious approach towards their own investments. This translates into investors asking more questions (favourite: Is it possible I may lose all my money?), raising more concerns, referencing sources of information and cross-checking whether their preferred financial adviser is indeed giving them valuable advice.

This 'mystery shopper' move by Hong Kong authorities could serve as a suitable rear-view mirror for financial service practitioners to watch their back. Certainly, the merits and specifics of its implementation will be debated. However, in times where most people still have a lesser opinion of financial advisers (be it from banks, insurance companies, fund managers, financial advisory firms to name a few), this could be part of the direction to weed out the 'weasels' and separate the wheat from the chaff.

Maybe we'll see this happening here in Singapore too. For starters, I'll ask my mum to get prepared for enlistment.

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NTUC IncomeShield revisions

NTUC Enhanced IncomeShield will be revised from 1^st Sep 2010 onwards.

Key changes:

Annual Policy limit increase- 500k to 600k for Preferred plan; 250k to 400k for Advantage plan. (no change to Basic)

Addition of Living Organ transplant benefit (donor)- no restriction on recipient (so long in accordance with Human Organ Transplant Act where no emotional coercion or financial inducement is applied).

Extension of ‘as-charged’ cover for Community Hospital stay- from current 45 days to 90 days.

Premium revision:

Premiums for the Advantage and Preferred plans will be also be revised upwards. A max increase of 10% in annual premiums is expected across age bands.

For those who wish to insure themselves with Enhanced IncomeShield or upgrade their plans at the current rates, their applications must reach NTUC Income latest by 14^th July 2010.

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Quick Glance at FD rates

Recently, I spoke with a friend who asked me about fixed deposit rates. He was thinking of parking some spare monies with the bank.

I did some research on the web, and came back with the following, based on sum of up to SGD $50,000 for period of 12 months:

CIMB 0.90% pa (promo)

Maybank 0.75% pa

Hong Leong 0.55 pa, + additional 0.125% pa for persons above age 55yrs

OCBC 0.55% pa

HSBC 0.48% pa

DBS/UOB 0.45% pa

Citibank/Stanchart 0.35% pa

CIMB is offering the highest rate on promotion.

Certainly, the low rates might cause some to be ‘forced’ into looking for other asset classes to better the returns on their monies. However, as any seasoned investor will say, investing is a risky business. Return of monies and return on monies; both are equally important.

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