The document summarizes various news articles on health, finance, and insurance in Singapore: - Eating nuts regularly may lower risks of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Physical activity can boost healthy aging sevenfold compared to inactivity. - Singapore has the 5th largest billionaire population in Asia, with billionaires typically self-made males in finance over age 64. - Insurance companies reported strong sales growth of annual premium and health insurance products in the first three quarters of 2013.

1. A Publication By Manulife Singapore Marketing – Issue 7, 2013
Monday, 23 December 2013
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Eating nuts regularly may lower the risk of common
health problems such as heart disease, colon
cancer and diabetes. People who reported eating
nuts at least 5 times per week were 29 percent less
likely to die of heart disease than those who
avoided nuts. Also, people who eat a lot of nuts are
less likely to put on weight.
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The average billionaire here is a 64 year old male,
and is likely to build his wealth from finance, banking
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and investments.
Singapore has the 5 largest
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billionaire population in Asia; and the 18 largest in the
world. In Singapore, 44 percent of billionaire are selfmade and 15 percent inherited their wealth.
Singapore, which has one of the world’s highest
rates of myopia, spends a staggering US$250
million (S$311.5 million) on prescription glasses a
year. The lack of outdoor activity among children
here could be one reason for the high rates of
myopia.
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There is a rising number of youngsters needing
help to manage anger problems. The Institute of
Mental Health treated 74 children aged eight to 13
for such issues from 2007 to 2011. Common signs
of anger in children include physical violence,
verbal abuse and being sullen or withdrawn.
Parents should not dismiss the behavior as a
“growing up phase”
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According to a study among elderly with an average
age of 64, those who have vigorous activity at least
once a week, boosted the likelihood of healthy
ageing sevenfold compared to a lifestyle of
persistent inactivity. Physical inactivity is the fourth
leading risk factor for premature death, after
smoking, excessive drinking and obesity, causing
an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally.
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Worldwide, stroke is the second-leading cause of
death after heart disease and is also a big
contributor to disability. Stroke patients often
experience symptoms such as a droopy face, the
inability to lift their arms and garbled speech. In
Singapore, there were 9.7 percent fewer cases
across all age groups in 2011 compared with 2007.
Stroke accounted for 9 percent of all deaths here in
2011, the fourth-highest cause of death.
Forecasters expect GDP to expand by 3.8 percent
this year, with Q4 growth coming in at 4.7 percent.
GDP is expected to grow by 3.9 percent next year.
According to World Economic Forum rankings,
Switzerland is the most competitive economy in the
world, while Singapore is a close second.
Singapore’s real income growth this year is the
highest since 2008, with median monthly salaries
hitting $3,705. A record 67 percent of residents over
the age of 15 were working or looking for work this
year. The employment rate of those aged 25 to 64
also rose to 79 percent.
Singapore has become less attractive for real estate
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investment. It drops out of top 3 to 7 place in
ranking of property investment prospects for AsiaPacific cities. The drop was due partly to fears of
oversupply.
Singapreans are becoming more generous when it
comes to giving their time or money for a good cause.
More are also volunteering with 17 percent
contributing their time and efforts, up from 8 percent.
Last year, tax-deductible donations hit a record high
of about $1 billion, 12 percent up from $896 million in
2011.
Tsao Foundation is in discussions with MOH and
HDB to launch Singapore’s first HDB retirement
village in Whampoa. Whampoa was selected
because of the large proportion of poor elderly
persons living there. About 1 in 5 residents are
above 60 years old and two-thirds of them live in 3room or smaller flats. Retirement village will include
studio apartments, a nursing home wth medical staff,
a day-care centre or a leisure activities club.
According to a new survey, saving for university
starts before child turns five. The survey found that
61 percent of parents plan to send their child to a
university here. Parents plan to save, or are saving
$500 to $3K a month for each child’s tertiary
education. 39 percent expect their offspring to study
overseas, with the United States, Australia and
Britain being popular destinations.
Disclaimer: This publication is intended for general information. The views expressed do not have regard to specific investment
objectives, financial situations or your particular needs. Manulife shall not be liable for any action taken based on the views
expressed and information provided in this publication.
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- Medical reimbursement and double indemnity for
accidental dismemberment and third degree burns when
the child is involved in an accident that happened at
school, on public/private conveyances or as a pedestrian
on the road.
- Up to 20 years of monthly cash payout upon a
catastrophic disability.
- Education fund for child and waiver of premium until
he/she reaches 21 years old should the policyowner
passes away due to an accident (before age 75).
- Optional coverage of 17 Child Critical Illnesses.
- Option to convert to an AIA whole life or endowment
policy when your child enters adulthood.
The life insurance sector posted strong results for
the first nine months of 2013, hitting $2 billion in
weighted new business premiums, a 27 percent
increase over the same period in the previous year.
Sales of annual premium products were particularly
strong, totaling $1.5 billion for the first three quarters
of 2013, up by a sizeable 31 percent over the same
period in 2012. Sales of single premium products
also increased by 17 percent to reach $0.5 billion of
weighted single premiums. New health insurance
premiums shot up to $320 million.
mPal with optional Child Benefit rider is available
for child aged 1 month to 17 years old. It provides the
following additional benefits over competitor’s.
All CPF members will continue to enjoy a risk-free
interest rate of 2.5 percent on their Ordinary
Account savings from 1 January 2014 to 31 March
2014. An extra 1% interest will continue to be paid
on the first $60,000 of a member’s combined
balances, with up to $20,000 from the OA.
i) Doubles the limit on medical reimbursements if the
injury or diagnosed covered disease is sustained
overseas and treatment is sought while abroad.
ii)Provides a Weekly indemnity benefit when the child
is hospitalized due to accident or accidental
disability.
Unit trusts and investment-linked insurance funds
(ILPs) in the CPF Investment Scheme delivered
positive returns on average in the third quarter. In
Q3, CPFIS-included funds rose 3.8 per cent on
average. Equity funds returned 4.9 per cent,
outperforming bond funds which rose 0.9 per cent.
Mixed asset funds rose by 2.5 per cent.
• Customer Gift Promotion with Purchase of AIA
Smart Pro Saver and AIA Retirement Saver
(14 Oct to 31 Dec 2013)
- Choice of Apple lifestyle gadgets with Minimum
Annualised First Year Premium starting from $15K.
Singaporeans who have turned 55 and need cash
on hand can now draw from their CPF accounts
more than once a year. Previously, additional
withdrawals were allowed only if a worker had been
unemployed for a prolonged period of six months.
AXA
Customer Promotion with Purchase of Retire Happy
(22 Oct to 16 Dec 2013)
- Choice of shopping vouchers or Samsung lifestyle
gadgets with Minimum Annualised First Year Premium
starting from $6K.
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A panel of health-care, finance and insurance
professionals as well as trade unionists and
grassroots members will examine the key issues
involved in introducing MediShield Life, the national
insurance scheme that aims to cover everyone for
life. Top considering factor is to ensure adequate
protection for all while keeping premiums affordable.
GE Life
Customer Reward Promotion (1 Oct to 31 Dec 2013)
- Choice of shopping vouchers or air tickets with purchase
of any of eligible regular premium plans.
- Minimum Monthly Premium starting from S$250.
- Promotion also comes with a grand lucky draw to win
two return Business Class air tickets.
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The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has doubled
insurance coverage for living related kidney donors
to S$200,000, in a move to provide greater
assurance and support to those who wish to help
their loved ones. Now in its fourth year, the Kidney
Live Donor Support Programme has provided
financial assistance to needy living donors. This
includes covering the cost of annual health
screening and medical follow-ups, as well as onetime reimbursement for loss of income and
insurance coverage.
Prudential
PRUSelect Vantage Premier Promotion
(5 Nov to 31 Dec 2013)
- Lower minimum single premium to $50K (both S$ and
US$) for the SP-ILP targeted at HNW clientele.
- Usual plan limit is S$80K (for PRUSelect Vantage
Premier SGD and US$64K (for PRUSelect Vantage
Premier USD)
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AIA
Launch of AIA Star Shield Plus (Nov 2013)
- A PA plan targetting at children (2 weeks to 16
years old) with worldwide coverage.
- Covers accidental death and dismemberment, as
well as 16 common diseases.
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