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Understanding CPF Insurance Schemes

I am speaking at a seminar next month regarding the various CPF insurance schemes available for CPF members.

Are you confused by the various CPF insurance schemes that you invariably enrolled in if you contribute to CPF? Do you know what options you have for these schemes? How does one utilise his/her CPF to obtain better coverage?

The talk would be useful in helping attendees understand various CPF insurance schemes such as DPS, Medishield, as well as Eldershield which is pertinent for people above 40, or individuals with parents above 40 who are financially dependent on them.

There is currently an early-bird discount until 1st May 2013.

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Television Interview About Gold Buyback Schemes and Gold Investment

I was recently asked to speak on a television programme catered for the elderly about the topic of dubious gold buyback schemes and a few proper ways of investing in gold.

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Topping Up CPF (and my TV Appearance)

Singaporeans should be quite familiar with our Central Provident Fund (CPF) accounts.

The Ordinary Account (OA) is mainly meant for housing and investment. The Special Account (SA) is primarily for old age and retirement-related investments. The Medisave Account (MA) is reserved for payment of medical bills and approved insurance schemes. At age 55, the savings in OA and SA form the Retirement Account (RA), which as the name suggests, is to provide for retirement.

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Keep Commission Model, Say Financial Advisers, Managers

A friend highlighted this article to me a few days ago and I had quite a reaction to it.

The following are quotes from the article (bold emphasis added by me) and my comments:

An ad-hoc alliance of about 15,000 financial advisers and managers are hoping to sway a review panel, which is considering, among other things, doing away with the commission model that most insurance and financial advisory firms use.

It is entirely expected that all 13,000 tied agents would fight tooth and nail against the ban of commissions. Why? It’s simple – nobody would want to pay a fee to a person who is a sales representative of a product manufacturer. The old model worked because it was merely the transaction of products – advice is given “free” and the client will take up the product if he is persuaded enough, earning the agent commissions. The other 2,000 advisers probably come from financial advisory firms which are new-age financial sales agencies, just that they have more products to sell.

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