MoneySmart Financial is an Exempt Financial Adviser and Registered Insurance Broker licensed by Monetary Authority of Singapore ("MAS").

Life Insurance 101: Term Insurance

What is life insurance? They’re plans you can set in place to keep your family’s lives and finances afloat in the event that you are disabled, ill, or have passed on. Read on for the 2 common types of life insurance: Term and whole life. Brought to you in collaboration with FWD insurance.

Visual Content Image Visual Content Image

What is Term Insurance?

Master the basics: what is life insurance, the key benefits, and the differences between the common types of life insurance – Term and whole life insurance plans.

Visual Content Image Visual Content Image

But first, what is Life Insurance?

First things first, what is life insurance? Life insurance plans offer you and your family a lump-sum payout in case you are diagnosed as disabled, terminally ill, critically ill (an optional feature), or in the event of your death.


Wow, a S$400,000 cheque going straight into my bank account?


Before you start buying life insurance and faking your own death to become an overnight millionaire, think again. Life insurance plans are important, especially if you have family members depending on you – your spouse, eldery parents, children. The lump-sum payout will help them to stay afloat, meeting financial needs such as school fees, daily expenditure, and loans. In a nutshell, your life insurance policy provides for the family members you leave behind so they can survive in the event that you pass on. 

There are 2 common types of Life Insurance

Term insurance plans typically offer you a lump-sum payout in the event of disability, terminal, critical illness (optional), and death. You pay a fixed premium monthly or annually for the entire period (or term) that you are covered – most commonly until age 75.
Just like Term insurance, whole life insurance offers you a lump-sum payout in the event of disability, terminal, critical illness (optional), and death. You pay premiums up to a certain age, most commonly age 70, but enjoy coverage up to 99 or 100 years old. If you outlive your plan, you may get some money back.

Want to get covered without the hassle of dealing withan agent?

Term vs. Whole Life Insurance

So, Term and whole life insurance both offer you the same type of coverage. The key difference between them is the number of years you are covered for. What other similarities and differences are there?

Visual Content Image Visual Content Image

Similarities between Term and Whole Life Insurance

Intention

People who buy either a Term or whole life insurance plan both want to protect their family’s financial stability in case they’re disabled, terminally ill, or passed on.

Coverage

Both Term and whole life insurance plans offer you (or your family) a lump-sum payout in case you are diagnosed with permanent disability, terminal or critical illness, and death.

Buy online

You can now buy Term or whole life insurance plans with the prefix “Direct” online without an agent’s help. Insurers such as FWD, AIA, Aviva, AXA, and Income all offer “Direct” plans.

Vertical Column Image Vertical Column Image

Differences between Term and Whole Life Insurance

Duration

A Term insurance plan only covers you for a fixed number of years (usually until age 75) while a whole life plan covers you until you’re age 99, 100, or death.

Cost

Term insurance premiums are 10X cheaper than whole life insurance premiums.

Money back

If you (fortunately!) outlive your Term insurance, your plan will end and you’ll not get any money back. Whole life insurance, however, may offer you some money back.

Vertical Column Image Vertical Column Image

Want a plan that skips the need formedical screenings?

Who might Term Insurance be a good choice for?

Term vs whole life insurance? Which one suits you better? Consider the coverage, lump-sum payout, and most importantly, the premiums you’ll need to pay. At the end of the day, you shouldn’t be paying thousands in premiums only to eat instant noodles all day.

Visual Content Image Visual Content Image

Choose Term Insurance if you are:

You have a new BTO, and mortgage payments that are scarier than your in-laws. You’ve just started your career, are not earning as much as you’d like to, and S$4,800 in yearly premiums for a whole life plan is definitely out of the question. Instead, S$34 monthly premiums for a Term insurance may be more manageable.
You’ve got a little munchkin to look after and are reconsidering your coverage due to the rising costs of raising a child in Singapore. Childcare costs include pediatrician visits, tuition fees, pocket money, enrichment classes, health insurance, laptop and mobile devices, and dental fees etc. If you were to pass on, will your life insurance payout be sufficient for your child to maintain his or her quality of life?
With more kids comes more… cost. An estimation by SmartParents shows that it reportedly costs at least S$670k to raise your child till age 22 – and double that if you have two children, and so on. Regularly re-evaluate if your life insurance payout is providing adequate coverage for all your children.
Assume your mother retires at age 62, and needs S$3,000 per month to upkeep a modest lifestyle – which adds up to S$468k worth of retirement funds to keep her going till age 75. Of course, double that amount if both your parents are retired. You’ll want to ensure your aging parents are well taken care of in their retirement years, especially if you (unfortunately) are not around to see them through their golden years.

Want a simple, no-fussterm insurance plan?

How Much Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

The first thing is to understand that there is no need to over-insure even though it might sound like a good idea – especially to your spouse (don’t tempt them into poisoning you after a fight).

Visual Content Image Visual Content Image

Here is what you need to consider

In the unfortunate event that you pass or are permanently disabled, terminally or critically ill, or have passed on:

What is the estimated amount your family would need to pay off your current mortgage

How much is your house? How much are you paying for it, and how much is your spouse paying for it? You would want to, at least, ensure that your life insurance’s payout will cover your portion of the mortgage fully.

What amount of money would at least help your spouse to handle household expenditures including school fees etc.

Look at your weekly and monthly household expenses. Include any car loans, and your child(ren)’s projected school and tuition fees. If you intend to pay for your child’s university fee, include that too.

What amount would be necessary to tide your retired parents through retirement

Are your parents prepared for retirement? Do they have any outstanding car or mortgage loans? Do they plan to travel? Are they ill and require long-term medical treatment?

How Much Does Term Insurance Cost?

Your premiums (the money you pay monthly or annually) are determined by your age, pre-existing medical conditions that you (or your immediate family members) have, the number of years you want to be covered for, and the lump-sum amount you want your family to receive at the end. Also, most insurers will require you to go for a full medical test when you apply – which will cost you S$100 to S$500. Sounds complicated? Basically, think of your premiums as instalments – if you buy an expensive two-door fridge on instalment, your monthly payments will be higher. If you buy a basic fridge to meet your family’s needs, your instalments will be more affordable.

Visual Content Image Visual Content Image

Factors that affect Term Insurance Cost

Your age

The younger you are when you purchase your Term insurance, the cheaper your premiums will be. Likewise, the older you are, the more expensive it’ll get – and that’s because you’re more likely to fall ill and are closer to the end of your life.

Pre-existing conditions

If you have a medical history, chances are your insurance company may not offer you coverage for your pre-existing conditions (meaning they will not allow you to claim for these treatments). If they do offer coverage, it will come at a price – higher premiums.

How long you are covered for

Term insurance plans offer you coverage for a fixed period of time (aka Term). You can choose to be assured for only 5 years, 20 years, but most commonly until age 75.

Amount that you want to be covered for

How much life insurance should you be covered for? Do not just throw any fancy number. You need to do some math to ensure all your liabilities will be covered. Still not sure? A simple way is to take your annual income and multiply it by 10.

Vertical Column Image Vertical Column Image

Pro Tip!

The FWD Essential Life Term insurance plan stands out only because it can be purchased by you directly online (without the help of any insurance agents), and does not require any medical screenings. Yup, a few hundred dollars saved.

Can I Buy Term Insurance Online?

Yes, you can buy your own Term insurance plan online without the help of any insurance agents. Most major insurance companies in Singapore offer “Direct Purchase Insurance (DPI)” Term or whole life insurance that you can purchase online.

Visual Content Image Visual Content Image

How To Buy FWD Term Insurance Online

There are 2 ways to purchase insurance online in Singapore – via insurance companies’ websites, or via comparison websites aka MoneySmart (which, very often, will offer you promos and gifts). Here’s a step-by-step guide. We’ll be using the FWD Term Life Plus insurance plan on MoneySmart as an example.

Step 1

Visit the Website

Click on FWD Life Insurance plan. A new window will open and you will find yourself viewing a summary of the FWD Term Life Plus policy. Read through the key features that have been simplified for you.

Step 2

Get a Quote

Select “Get a Quote” on the top left hand side of the page. A new window will open and you will be prompted to answer a few questions – male or female, smoker or non-smoker, birthdate, assured sum, and NRIC.

Step 3

View Your Quote

You will then see your monthly and yearly quote laid out clearly before you – these will be the premiums, or the price you will be paying for your plan.

Step 4

Health Declaration

While you will not be required to go for a full health check up, you will be required to declare that you are not diagnosed with conditions such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure etc.

Step 5

Download Policy

You will then be able to download your final policy wording to read – you will want to look at the key benefits and any exclusions (usually at the end).

Step 6

Personal Details

Fill in your personal details such as your full name, NRIC, mobile number, nationality, and your residential address in Singapore. You will then be asked to submit a proof of your residence in Singapore – a simple letter addressed to you, or your mobile or utility bill will usually suffice. And you’re done!

Try MoneySmart's new Term Insurance Comparison Tool

Thinking about securing Term insurance for you and your family members? Find the best Term insurance plans online that suits your needs today.