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Press Statement from Tan Suee Chieh
Chief Executive, NTUC Income
29 May 2008
I would like to respond to a number issues raised by Mr Tan Kin Lian in public
forums in relation to the bonus re-structure at NTUC Income.
Since February 2007, NTUC Income has been undergoing a review of all aspects
of our business with the aim of strengthening NTUC Income and to achieve the
best standards of governance and professional practices.
With that, NTUC Income would be in a better and stronger position to compete
and meet the needs of a changing generation of Singaporeans, and to fulfil our
social purpose of making insurance affordable, accessible and sustainable.
As a social enterprise, our first responsibility is to protect the interests
of our policyholders, individually and as a whole, before taking into account
the interests of our employees and shareholders.
One of the practices which NTUC Income reviewed was the bonus structure of
participating life policies. The Appointed Actuary was of the opinion that under
the existing structure, the company would be less likely to meet policyholders’ expected
payouts when they make a claim, surrender their policy or when the policy matures.
It was also his opinion that the current structure would weaken our financial
position in the long term. NTUC Income would become increasingly less competitive
and be unable to meet or protect policyholders’ interests.
Bonus policy and bonus declarations are serious matters subject to the highest
level of corporate governance. Principles of bonus policy are approved by the
Board of Directors. MAS regulations set out clear requirements for these.
From as early as August 2006, NTUC Income’s Board of Directors recognised
that the financial position of NTUC Income needed to be strengthened. Starting
in the second quarter of 2007, much research, discussion and debate took place
within the management team and in August 2007, this issue was extensively discussed
at the Board level. This continued until February 2008, when a decision was taken
to re-structure the bonus scale.
Local and global industry practices were considered and we were convinced
that the bonus re-structure is in the best interest of policyholders.
I would like to bring your attention to the following salient points.
- The bonus re-structure is the right decision and our position on it remains
unchanged.
- We will not be giving an option to policyholders to remain in the old structure.
- The old structure was not sustainable and will undermine our ability to deliver
total returns, which are ultimately more important to policyholders.
- There is now a better chance for NTUC Income to not only deliver returns
as illustrated to policyholders, but to deliver even better returns.
- The new structure will reduce the likelihood of the bonus cuts that we had
witnessed in the past.
- This bonus re-structure will strengthen the life fund for the increased security
of all.
- Shareholders do not benefit from this re-structure, except to see a strengthened
NTUC Income.
We engaged Mr Nick Dumbreck, the President of the Institute of Actuaries and
a Consultant with the global financial management firm, Watson Wyatt, for a professional
and independent opinion.
His professional opinion was that the bonus re-structure was sound and the
right thing for NTUC Income. He categorically stated that our old annual
bonus was too high given the bond returns available in our market.
However, I do want to address some of the concerns raised.
- We will work always with customers’ interests at heart. Every decision
we take is calculated to protect their interests individually and as a whole.
What we seek to do is to deliver the best possible returns to policyholders,
now and also in the future.
- Although special bonuses are not guaranteed, they are set to ensure that
the reduction in annual bonus is fully compensated. Where the strength of the
Fund and investment outlook permits, this will continue in future. Should
this compensatory special bonus reduce in future due to poor investment conditions,
we are committed to restoration when conditions improve.
- We will ensure that the bonus allocated to policyholders result in payouts
which are fair and consistent with the experience of the fund.
Addendum of 9 June 2008
There were two specific questions that were raised at the AGM on 30 May:
- Are you taking more risks with my policy?
- Can’t you give us an option to stay in the old bonus structure?
The answers in full can be found in the updated set of the Frequently Asked Questions
at FAQ on Bonus Re-structure.
Tan Suee Chieh
Chief Executive
NTUC Income
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