Frequently Asked Questions

Dependants' Protection Scheme

General

  • Q:Why am I automatically covered under DPS before I declare my health condition to Income?

    A:

    DPS is automatically extended to CPF members who are Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents, between age 21 and 60, when they make their first CPF working contribution.

    To allow you to enjoy the DPS protection immediately, the CPF Board has deducted the annual premium from your CPF Ordinary or Special Account. However, you are required to declare your health conditions by completing the Health Declaration form that was enclosed in your DPS Welcome Package. Claims will not be admitted if you were suffering from serious illnesses before your policy commenced.

  • Q:If I am residing overseas, am I still covered under DPS?

    A:

    You will still be covered under DPS as DPS provides worldwide coverage.

    We will notify you of the need to top-up via a top-up notice to stay insured if there are insufficient funds in your CPF account. Please ensure that you update us with your up-to-date mailing address to receive your DPS notifications.

  • Q:What is the difference between Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) and Home Protection Scheme (HPS)?

    A:

    DPS is an affordable term-life insurance scheme that provides insured members and their families with some money should the insured members pass away, suffer from Terminal Illness or Total Permanent Disability. DPS is an optional scheme which covers CPF members who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents for a maximum sum assured of $46,000. The coverage is worldwide and insured members will be insured up to the end of the policy year during which they turn 60 years old.

    The Home Protection Scheme (HPS) is a mortgage-reducing insurance, which insures CPF members and their families against losing their HDB flats in the event of death, Terminal Illness or Total Permanent Disability.

Coverage

  • Q:What are the benefits under DPS?

    A:


    With effect from 01 May 2016, DPS benefits are enhanced to provide wider coverage for incapacity. Below table shows the benefit comparison.

    DPS benefits before 01 May 2016 Enhanced DPS benefits from 01 May 2016
    DPS provides coverage against permanent incapacity and death.
    • Permanent incapacity refers to the inability to take part in any employment permanently.
    		 Besides death, DPS benefits are enhanced to provide wider coverage for incapacity.
    Incapacity is now expanded to cover Terminal Illness and Total Permanent Disability.
    Terminal Illness refers to any illness that a registered medical practitioner certifies is expected to result in death within 12 months.
    Total Permanent Disability refers to:
    1. inability to take part in any employment permanently; or
    2. the total permanent loss of the physical function of any of the following:
      1. both eyes; or
      2. Two limbs; or
      3. One eye and one limb.

    Notes: Policyholders who are covered under DPS subject to special terms or exclusions before 01 May 2016, will have the same terms or exclusions imposed on them for any claim for total and permanent disability.

  • Q:How will I be affected by the changes in DPS benefits?

    A:

    You can only claim under terminal illness or total permanent disability if your terminal illness or total permanent loss of physical function started on or after 01 May 2016.

    If your cover is subject to exclusions before 01 May 2016, the same exclusions will apply to a claim under Total Permanent Disability.

  • Q:What are the general exclusions for DPS?

    A:

    Claim benefits are not payable if any of the following events occur within the first policy year:

    1. you committed self-inflicted injury or suicide;
    2. you committed a criminal offence punishable by death;
    3. claim arose out of your own intentional criminal act.

    Claim benefits are also not payable if:

    1. you suffer from serious illness, Terminal Illness or Total Permanent Disability before the commencement of the cover;
    2. you have provided false or misleading information; or
    3. your claim arose from wars or any warlike operations or participation in any riot.

    If your cover is subject to exclusions before 01 May 2016, the same exclusions will apply to a claim under Total Permanent Disability.

  • Q:What is “bonus sum assured”?

    A:

    Bonus sum assured is a one-off benefit given to you due to your loyalty in staying insured under DPS before privatisation. This bonus sum assured amount is dependent on the duration that you have been in the scheme. You do not need to pay premium for this bonus sum assured.

    The bonus sum assured is an additional benefit that is payable only in the event of a claim. It cannot be encashed or withdrawn after the termination of the policy.

  • Q:Who is eligible for the bonus sum assured?

    A:

    All DPS policyholders who are insured with CPF Board on and before 16 Sep 2005 are entitled to the bonus sum assured.


    A total of two batches of bonus sum assured were declared by CPF Board to DPS policyholders. You can refer to the following table for more information.


    Bonus sum assuredDate declaredEligible DPS policyholders
    Batch 128 Jun 2003DPS policyholders who are covered under DPS before Jun 2003
    Batch 213 Mar 2006DPS policyholders who are covered under DPS on and before 16 Sep 2005

  • Q:If I switched to Income after 17 Sep 2005, am I still eligible for the bonus sum assured?

    A:

    Yes, you are eligible provided that you have been insured under DPS on or before 16 Sep 2005. It is not affected by the switching of insurers.

  • Q:If my policy has lapsed / I have opted out of DPS and I want to reinstate my policy, will I still be entitled to the bonus sum assured?

    A:

    Yes, you will be entitled to the bonus sum assured provided that you are insured under DPS on or before 16 Sep 2005 and your reinstatement request is successful.

  • Q:How do I reinstate my DPS policy?

    A:

    You can reinstate your policy within 120 days from your policy lapse date.
    Complete the reinstatement form and submit it at any Income branches.

    You can also send it by post to:
    Dependants’ Protection Scheme Unit
    Life & Health Operations
    Income Centre
    75 Bras Basah Road
    Singapore 189557

    You will have to declare all your health information and your reinstatement will be subject to underwriting.

  • Q:What should I do if it is past 120 days from my lapse date?

    A:

    You will no longer be able to reinstate your DPS policy. Instead, you will need to take up a new DPS policy. To do so, you will need to complete a DPS proposal form and declare all your health 

    You can also send it by post to:
    Dependants’ Protection Scheme Unit
    Life & Health Operations
    Income Centre
    75 Bras Basah Road
    Singapore 189557

  • Q:Why does DPS coverage end at the end of the policy year that I turn age 60?

    A:

    As DPS premiums increase with age, paying for DPS premiums will greatly reduce any savings that you may have in your CPF account for your retirement.

    Also, the need for DPS coverage reduces when you are 60 years old as most dependants would be economically independent by then.

  • Q:How do I pay my premium?

    A:

    Premiums are deducted annually from your CPF Ordinary Account and / or Special Account. Deduction will be made from your Special Account only when there are insufficient funds in your Ordinary Account.

    If there are insufficient funds in both accounts to pay the total premium required, you will receive a top-up notice informing you of the top-up amount required. You can pay the difference either by cash or cheque or by authorising us for another deduction attempt from your CPF account. Otherwise, you can choose to remain insured for a lower sum assured. This is provided your policy is renewed with at least a minimum sum assured of $5,000.

  • Q:Can I pay for my DPS policy using another person’s CPF account?

    A:

    No, you will need to use your own CPF savings to pay for your premium.

  • Q:Can I pay my premium via cash / cheque for subsequent renewals and not through my CPF account?

    A:

    No, you will need to pay your premium through your CPF account. If there are insufficient funds in your CPF account for the full premium deduction, you will receive a notice to make payment for your policy. This payment can then be made by cash or cheque.

  • Q:Will I get any money back after I turn 60 years old?

    A:

    DPS coverage will stop when you are 60 years old on the renewal date. You will not get any money back after your policy is terminated. This is because DPS is not structured to have any savings or investment components. It is aimed at providing you with the maximum financial protection at the lowest premium possible.

Application

  • Q:When completing my DPS application form, is it compulsory to fill up the witness’s details?

    A:

    You will only need to complete the witness’s details for your application form if you are below 21 years old when applying for DPS.

  • Q:What if I decide to cancel my policy after my application is successful?

    A:

    You shall be entitled to cancel the policy within 14 days from the policy commencement date and receive a full refund of premiums.

    If you cancel this policy after 14 days from the policy commencement date, we will refund to you the pro-rated part of the premiums, which is based on the remaining unused days of cover.

Change Insurer

  • Q:Can I change my insurer?

    A:

    Yes, you can apply directly to your preferred insurer. Your preferred insurer will send you an application form to complete.

    While you are waiting for a reply from your preferred insurer, we encourage you to remain insured under your current policy to continue to enjoy the full benefits of the policy. If your application is rejected or offered to you with sub-standard terms, you will still be covered by your original insurer.

    If your application is successful, your new insurer will liaise with your current insurer to terminate your original policy.

  • Q:What if my application at the preferred insurer gets rejected?

    A:

    If your application is rejected by the preferred insurer, your existing policy with us will still remain in force. This is provided that you have not opted out of your policy with us.

Renewal

  • Q:How do I renew my DPS cover?

    A:

    For your convenience, renewal is done automatically every year, unless any of the following events occur (whichever is the earliest):
    • At the end of the policy year during which you turn 60 years old;
    • Upon successful claim of Total Permanent Disability or Terminal Illness benefit;
    • Upon death;
    • Upon the loss of your Singapore Citizenship or Permanent Resident status;
    • Non-payment of renewal premiums within the stipulated 60 days grace period;
    • If you opt out of the DPS; or
    • If you have instructed the insurer not to renew or to cancel your cover.

  • Q:How will I be informed of the renewal of my cover?

    A:

    A notification letter will be sent to you at least 1 month before your renewal date. No further notification will be sent to you upon renewal unless your CPF account does not have enough savings for full premium deduction. Your yearly CPF statement of account will show the premium paid from your CPF account.

    Note: You should report any changes in correspondence address to us so that you can be notified of any changes in the status of your DPS cover.

  • Q:Why have I not received my Certificate of Insurance after my policy was renewed?

    A:

    We will only issue you a new Certificate of Insurance if there is a change in the original sum assured from your previous renewal year.

Top up

  • Q:What is the deadline if I wish to apply for a top-up?

    A:

    You have up to 60 days from your DPS policy renewal date to apply for a top-up. If you miss this deadline, your top-up application will be subject to medical underwriting.

  • Q:If I apply for a top-up, must I declare my health condition?

    A:

    Yes, a health declaration is required if you are topping up your sum assured after 60 days from your DPS policy renewal date. Your top-up request will be subject to medical underwriting and the increased sum assured will be extended to you if you are assessed to be in good health.

    You should note that Income will not consider your claims if you were found giving false or misleading statements, or have withheld relevant information in your health declaration.

  • Q:How do I apply to top-up?

    A:

    You will need to complete the top-up form and send it together with your cheque to:

    Dependants’ Protection Scheme Unit
    Life & Health Operations
    Income Centre
    75 Bras Basah Road
    Singapore 189557

    You should note that if your top-up form is submitted within 60 days from your DPS policy renewal date, you can leave out the Medical Underwriting Questions in Section B of the top-up form. Otherwise, you will need to complete the top-up form including the Medical Underwriting Questions in Section B.
    Please issue your cheque in favour of “NTUC Income” and indicate the following details on the back of your cheque.
    • Name
    • NRIC number
    • Contact number
    • Policy number

    Alternatively, you can visit any of Income branches to submit your top-up form and pay the top-up amount in cash, cheque or NETS.

  • Q:What if I do not make any top-up payment?

    A:

    You will be insured for a reduced sum assured if there is no top-up payment made. This is provided your policy has been renewed for a minimum basic sum assured of $5,000.

    If your policy has not been renewed for a minimum basic sum assured of $5,000 and no payment is made within 60 days from your DPS policy renewal date, your policy will lapse.

  • Q:I am 55 years old and above. I have funds in my CPF account. Why did I receive a letter informing me of insufficient funds for premium deduction?

    A:

    It could be because your funds in the CPF Ordinary and / or Special Account were transferred to your Retirement Account when you reached 55 years old. In such a case, you will need to top-up the difference in cash. Please complete the top-up form and send it with your cheque payment by post to:

    Dependants’ Protection Scheme Unit
    Life & Health Operations
    Income Centre
    75 Bras Basah Road
    Singapore 189557

    Please issue your cheque in favour of “NTUC Income” and indicate the following details on the back of your cheque.

    • Name
    • NRIC number
    • Contact number
    • Policy number

  • Q:Can I pay for half of my top-up payment by CPF and the other half by cash?

    A:

    No, you will need to pay the top-up payment in full by a single mode of transaction.

  • Q:Can I make partial top-up payment for my DPS policy?

    A:

    No, you will need to make the top-up payment in full.

Opting out

  • Q:Can I terminate my DPS policy?

    A:

    If you request to terminate your DPS policy within the free-look period, you will receive a full refund of premiums paid. However, if you terminate your DPS policy after the free-look period, a pro-rated part of the premium based on the remaining days of cover will be returned to you.

    If you have been automatically covered under DPS, your free-look period is 2 months from your policy commencement date. If you have applied for cover under DPS, your free-look period is 14 days from your policy commencement date.

    To terminate your DPS policy, you will need to complete the opt out form and submit it at Income branch or by post to:

    Dependants' Protection Scheme Unit 

    Life & Health Operations

    Income Centre

    75 Bras Basah Road

    Singapore 189557

  • Q:How will I receive my premium refunds?

    A:

    If the premiums are paid by cash or cheque, the premium refund will be by cheque.

    If the premiums are deducted from your CPF account, the premium refund will be remitted back to your CPF account.