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Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) Singapore: Your Complete Guide (2026)
The Dependants' Protection Scheme (DPS) is Singapore's national term life insurance scheme, automatically extended to all working Singapore Citizens and PRs aged 21 to 65. With annual premiums starting from as low as $18 and payments deducted directly from your CPF, it provides essential financial protection for your loved ones.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Verify current details with the CPF Board or Great Eastern Life. Consult our MoneySmart licensed advisors for personalised advice.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Verify current details with the CPF Board or Great Eastern Life. Consult our MoneySmart licensed advisors for personalised advice.
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What is the Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS)?
DPS provides a lump-sum payout to your loved ones if death, terminal illness, or total and permanent disability strikes. Here’s how it works in Singapore:
Automatic enrolment
All Singapore Citizens and PRs aged 21–65 are automatically enrolled in DPS when they make their first CPF working contribution.
Coverage triggers
The scheme pays out in the event of death, terminal illness, or total and permanent disability, offering essential income replacement as a lump-sum payout for dependants during difficult times.
Who manages DPS?
This government-backed scheme is solely administered by Great Eastern Life, appointed by the CPF Board as the insurer since April 2021.
Affordable life insurance through CPF
Premiums start at just S$18 annually, and are deducted from your CPF funds. No cash outlay required, unlike private life insurance.
No medical underwriting required
Initial enrolment requires only that you’re in good health, with no medical examinations or extensive health declarations needed.
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How DPS Integrates with CPF: Enrollment, Premium Deductions & Renewal
The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) is deeply tied to your CPF membership, making coverage convenient and largely hands-off for most Singaporeans. Here’s how it all fits together:
DPS auto-enrolment: Who is eligible?
You’re automatically enrolled when you make your first CPF working contribution, subject to good health. Participation is voluntary if you ever want to opt out.
How are DPS premiums paid from CPF?
The payment process is automatic and seamless.
- Premiums are deducted from your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) each year.
- If your OA balance is insufficient, the deduction falls to your CPF Special Account (SA). SA is closed for members aged 55 and above from January 2025.
- The amount deducted depends on your age group and is timed with your policy renewal.
- No cash outlay is needed as long as your CPF accounts have sufficient funds.
How to renew DPS and maintain coverage?
DPS renews automatically every year.
- You’ll receive a notification from Great Eastern Life 30 days before your renewal date.
- As long as your CPF accounts have sufficient funds, your coverage continues without interruption and without any action on your end.
How to opt out of DPS or rejoin?
- To opt out, simply complete and submit the opt-out form to Great Eastern Life.
- To rejoin later, whether after opting out or after a lapse, a health declaration is required and coverage is subject to your state of health at that point.
DPS Coverage and Exclusions
The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) offers a straightforward set of protections, but it’s just as important to know where its limits lie. Here’s what’s covered and what’s not.
✅ What DPS covers
DPS pays out a lump sum to your nominee(s) in these situations:
- Death: If the insured passes away before age 65
- Terminal illness: A diagnosis of a terminal illness (typically where life expectancy is ≤ 12 months)
- Total and permanent disability (TPD): If the insured becomes totally and permanently disabled, rendering them completely incapable of working any occupation
Age limits on coverage
| Age | Sum assured | Coverage status |
|---|---|---|
| 21–60 | Up to S$70,000 | Full sum assured |
| 60–65 | Up to S$55,000 | Reduced sum assured |
| 65+ | — | Coverage ceases |
💡 MoneySmart Tip: Members aged 16–20 may also apply for DPS coverage voluntarily by approaching Great Eastern Life directly.
❌ What DPS excludes
Like any insurance plan, DPS comes with some important exclusions where claims will not be paid:
- Suicide or self-harm: No payout if the insured dies by suicide or intentionally inflicts self-harm within the first policy year.
- Pre-existing conditions: If a person re-joins DPS and has a health condition that existed before coverage resumes, claims may not be honoured for related illnesses or disabilities.
- Illegal or criminal acts: Claims will be denied if death or disability arises from participating in an illegal activity or criminal offence.
- War and acts of terrorism: No coverage for death or disability arising from war, invasion, or acts of foreign enemies.
- Policy lapses: Missed premium payments can cause your policy to lapse, meaning no coverage until it's reinstated, subject to the insurer accepting your application and health status.
- False declarations: Misleading or false information provided at application or re-enrolment can void the policy and any claim.
How Do I Claim From the Dependants' Protection Scheme (DPS)?
Step 1
Inform Great Eastern Life of the incident or illness
Contact Great Eastern Life as soon as possible via:
- Hotline: +65 6839 4565
- Email: [email protected]
Great Eastern Life will verify your eligibility, cross-check your health records, and advise on the documents required for your specific claim type.
Step 2
Prepare your supporting documents
The documents required vary by claim type:
Death
- Death certificate (original + certified copy)
- Death claim form
- Policy report (if accidental death)
- ICA letter (if overseas death)
- Doctor's statement (if overseas)
- Claimant's NRIC
- Proof of relationship
- Deceased's will (if applicable)
Total and permanent disability (TPD)
- TPD claim form
- Doctor's statement
- Medical reports and test results (Original)
- Receipt for doctor's statement fee
Terminal illness
- Doctor's statement confirming terminal illness diagnosis with < 12 months’ life expectancy
- All available medical reports and test results
Step 3
Claim approval and settlement
Once all documents are submitted, Great Eastern Life will assess your claim. Where a fee was charged for the doctor's statement, they will reimburse this to your preferred bank account after the claim is concluded.
Not sure if a deceased family member was covered? Email [email protected] or contact Great Eastern Life directly to check.
DPS vs Other Life Insurance Plans: Comparison
| DPS | Term life insurance | Whole life insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Death, terminal illness, total permanent disability (age 21–65) | Death, terminal illness, total permanent disability (fixed term: 5–30 years) | Lifetime coverage for death, terminal illness, total permanent disability (critical illness typically an optional rider) |
| Payout assured | Up to S$70,000 | Varies by plan (S$100,000–S$1 million+) | Varies by plan (S$50,000–S$500,000+) |
| Guaranteed cash value | None | None | Yes |
| Non-guaranteed bonuses | None | None | Yes (reversionary and terminal bonuses) |
| How premiums are paid | CPF-OA (auto-deducted); cash if OA is insufficient | Cash, credit card, or GIRO | Cash, SRS, or CPF (for CPFIS-approved plans) |
| Medical underwriting | No | Yes | Yes |
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FAQs About Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS)
Is DPS compulsory in Singapore?
- No. While all Singapore Citizens and PRs are automatically enrolled in DPS upon their first CPF working contribution, participation is voluntary. You can opt out at any time by contacting Great Eastern Life.
How do I check my DPS coverage status?
- Log in to your CPF online account with Singpass to view your insurance section, or check recent communications from Great Eastern Life, who will notify you at renewal. You may also call Great Eastern Life directly at +65 6839 4565.
How do I opt out of DPS?
- Submit the opt-out form to Great Eastern Life (available on their website). Note that rejoining later requires a health declaration and is subject to approval.
What happens if I don’t have enough CPF to pay DPS premiums?
- If your CPF accounts have insufficient funds to cover your DPS premiums. Here’s what’ll happen:
- The system will first attempt to deduct from your CPF Ordinary Account (CPF-OA).
- If OA is insufficient, it will try to deduct from your CPF Special Account (CPF-SA).
- If both CPF-OA and CPA-SA are insufficient, Great Eastern Life will notify you.
- You’ll have a 60-day grace period to pay the premium in cash.
- If no payment is made by then, your coverage may lapse.
Can I nominate beneficiaries to receive my DPS payout?
- Yes, you can (and should) make a nomination so the DPS payout goes to the person(s) you choose:
- Download the CPF nomination form from Great Eastern Life
- Specify who should receive the payout (e.g. spouse, children, parents)
- State the percentage allocation for each beneficiary
- Submit the completed form to Great Eastern Life
How does DPS policy renewal work?
- DPS renews automatically every year. Great Eastern Life will send a renewal notice 30 days before your renewal date. No action needed unless you want to opt out.
What happens to coverage after age 60?
- At age 60, your DPS coverage reduces from S$70,000 to S$55,000. Protection ultimately ceases at the policy anniversary after you turn 65.
What exclusions should I be aware of?
- DPS does not pay out for:
- Death by suicide or self-harm in the first policy year
- Pre-existing conditions (for those rejoining after opting out / lapsing)
- Death or disability from criminal acts or illegal activity
- War or acts of terrorism
- False or incomplete health declarations
- Policy lapses due to non-payment
Is DPS better than other term insurance plans?
- Overall, DPS is cost-effective for basic coverage needs (i.e. death, terminal illness, TPD) with automatic CPF payment. However, it caps at S$70,000 and ends at 65 years old. If you have significant financial obligations or dependants, supplement your DPS with higher private term life coverage.
What happens if I cancel my DPS policy early?
- There is no cash or surrender value if you cancel your DPS early. DPS is pure insurance. To cancel, download the Opt-Out Form and email the completed form to Great Eastern Life at [email protected].
I am above 55. How does the CPF Special Account closure affect my DPS premiums?
- From January 2025, CPF-SA is closed for members 55+. If you paid premiums via SA, set up GIRO or cash payment to maintain coverage. Contact Great Eastern Life: +65 6839 4565 or [email protected].
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