
The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) is an opt-out term insurance scheme automatically extended to all eligible CPF members. The scheme covers insured member for a maximum sum assured of $46,000, up to the age of 60.
Most CPF members would be covered under the DPS even though some of us may not even realised that we have this coverage. In this article, we will highlight some important questions that you may have about the scheme.
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Is The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) Compulsory?
Would The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) Covers Me If I Have Pre-Existing Illness?
What Happens If I Failed To Pay For The Coverage For My Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS)
Which Insurer Is Covering Me For the Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS)?
Is The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) Compulsory?
As explained by CPF, the Dependant’ Protection Scheme (DPS) is an opt-out term insurance scheme automatically extended to all eligible CPF members. You will be included under the DPS as long as you meet the three criteria mentioned below.
– Are a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident;
– Are between 21 and 60 years old; and
– Have made your first CPF working contribution.
While you will be automatically included under the DPS as long as you meet all three criteria above, do note that this is an opt-out scheme. If for any reasons you are not keen to have the coverage, you can choose to opt out from it. Otherwise, it will be assumed that you want the coverage it provides.
What Is The Level Of Coverage Received For The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) And How Much Does It Cost?
The sum assured for the Dependant’ Protection Scheme (DPS) is for a maximum of $46,000. Premiums are payable on an annual basis. The amount of premiums that you pay will be dependent on your age. The older you are, the higher your premiums will be.
Age (Last Birthday) | Annual Premium |
34 and below | $36 |
35 – 39 | $48 |
40 – 44 | $84 |
45 – 49 | $144 |
50 – 54 | $228 |
55 – 59 | $260 |
The best part about the DPS is that you can use your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) or CPF Special Account (SA) to pay for your annual premiums. Apart from the Home Protection Scheme (HPS), the DPS is the only other life insurance plan in Singapore that allows you to use your CPF monies to pay for your insurance premiums.
Would The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) Covers Me If I Have Pre-Existing Illness?
This is an important question which every CPF member ought to know.
While the Dependant’ Protection Scheme (DPS) is an opt-out (i.e. auto opt-in) scheme, this doesn’t equate into the scheme automatically covering those with pre-existing illnesses or medical conditions.
As highlighted by the CPF Board, the eligibility for DPS cover is subject to an individual being in good health. In the event that you are suffering or have suffered from any medical condition, past or present, you are required to declare this to the insurer. The insurer will then decide whether it will continue to cover you after assessing your medical condition.
If you failed to declare your illness or medical condition, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the insurer can void your DPS claim in the future even if you have paid your premiums.
Here’s a list of serious illnesses which you should declare.
- Ischaemic heart disease/coronary heart disease, heart valves disorders or arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats)
- Cancer
- Stroke/cerebrovascular disorders, tumour of the brain or arteriovenous malformation
- Renal failure or renal dialysis
- Diabetes with complications
- Chronic liver disorders, liver cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy or liver failure
- AIDS/HIV infection
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease
- Severe psychiatric or mental illness
- Motor neuron disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Paralysis (hemiplegia/paraplegia/quadriplegia)
- Chronic lung disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis with complications
- Multiple sclerosis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus with complications
- Parkinson disease with complications
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Aplastic anaemia, thalassaemia major or severe blood disorders
- Any illness, excluding those mentioned above, which is likely to lead to a limb/spinal/ eye/mental condition
- Any other illness, excluding those mentioned above, which is certified by a medical practitioner registered under the Medical Registration Act to be a serious illness
Remember, just because you are paying the premiums doesn’t mean you are automatically insured. The insurer has the right to decline your claims if it’s found that you withhold material information pertaining to your health which would have led to them declining or deferring your coverage had they known about it.
Read Also: What Insurance Policies Can You Buy If You Are Born With A Genetic Condition?
What Happens If I Fail To Pay For The Coverage For My Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS)
By default, the annual premiums for your Dependant’ Protection Scheme (DPS) will be paid for through a deduction from your CPF Ordinary Account (CPFOA). In the event that your CPFOA has insufficient funds, the premiums will be deducted from your CPF Special Account (CPFSA).
If your CPFSA have insufficient savings, you will be sent a premium notice by the insurer letting you know that you will need to pay for your premium using cash. If you ignore the notice and do not pay your premium, your coverage will lapse.
These incidents are common if you happen to work in a part-time job that pays you a very small CPF contribution in your younger days for a short period of time. For example, if you took a job before enlisting to national service and receive CPF contribution, you will automatically be covered under the DPS when you turn 21, with an annual premium of $36 deducted from your CPF.
However at age 21, you may still be in National Service (NS) or studying and hence you have not started receiving regular CPF contributions from a full-time job. You may have insufficient CPF funds to pay for your premiums in subsequent years. Hence you may be sent a premium notice requesting for you to pay for your coverage in cash. If you do not do so, your coverage will lapse. You can reinstate your coverage later on in the future when you have CPF contribution.
To check if you are covered under the DPS, log in to the CPF website using your SingPass.
Which Insurer Is Covering Me For the Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS)?
When you are auto-enrolled under the Dependant’ Protection Scheme (DPS), you will be assigned an insurer either under Great Eastern Life or NTUC Income. Coverage and premiums for both insurers are exactly the same so it doesn’t matter who you get.
However, if you have a strong preference for one of the insurer, you can contact your preferred insurer (Great Eastern Life or NTUC Income) directly.
Read Also: Dependants Protection Scheme: Here’s One Insurance Policy You Didn’t Know You Already Have
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