Frequently Asked Questions

Care Secure

Product Coverage

  • Q:What is Care Secure?

    A:

    Care Secure is an insurance plan which pays you a monthly sum for life if you become and continue to be disabled. It is designed to provide benefits to meet the needs of those who would like more comprehensive disability cover.

  • Q:Why should I purchase Care Secure?

    A:

    As shared by MOH, 1 in 2 healthy Singaporeans aged 65 could become severely disabled in their lifetime, and may need long-term care. It is further estimated around 3 in 10 could remain in severe disability for 10 years or more. Therefore, you should buy Care Secure to help expenses for the care of a person with severe disability.


    As the application is subject to underwriting, you are encouraged to apply Care Secure as early as you reach age 30. This is because the older you get, the higher the risk of you having various medical conditions and we may not be able to grant you cover.


    Also, premiums are based on your entry age. Entry age refers to the age as at your last birthday that you apply for Care Secure. This means that the earlier you apply for Care Secure, the lower premium you will have to pay.

  • Q:What is the disability benefit payable?

    A:

    If you become and continue to be disabled, we will pay a monthly disability benefit for life, as shown in the table below.


    Disability StatusBenefit
    Moderately disabled100% of disability benefit
    Severely disabled100% of disability benefit less the CareShield Life benefit that applies to you


    Disability means moderate disability or severe disability, as appropriate. Disabled means having a moderate disability or severe disability.


    Moderate disability or moderately disabled means your inability to perform two of the following activities of daily living (ADL), which means requiring significant assistance from another person throughout the entire activity.


    Severe disability or severely disabled means your inability to perform at least three of the following activities of daily living (ADL), which means requiring significant assistance from another person throughout the entire activity.


    Activities of daily living (ADL)

    • Washing – the ability to wash in the bath or shower (including getting into and out of the bath or shower) or wash by other means.
    • Dressing – the ability to put on, take off, secure and unfasten all garments and, as appropriate, any braces, artificial limbs or other surgical or medical appliances.
    • Feeding – the ability to feed oneself food after it has been prepared and made available.
    • Toileting – the ability to use the lavatory or manage bowel and bladder function through the use of protective undergarments or surgical appliances if appropriate.
    • Walking or Moving around – the ability to move indoors from room to room on level surfaces.
    • Transferring – the ability to move from a bed to an upright chair or wheelchair, and vice versa.


    When we have approved the claim, we will pay the first payment of monthly disability benefit on the day immediately after the deferment period. We will then pay it on the same day every month. If we do not approve the claim until after the deferment period, the first payment of the monthly disability benefit will be treated as due from the day immediately after the deferment period. If you recover from the disability but become disabled again, you are entitled to further payment of this benefit.


    If you are receiving CareShield Life benefit, we will automatically consider you to be severely disabled. CareShield Life means a severe disability insurance product administered by the Government and governed by the Relevant Act.


    To avoid doubt, if you become severely disabled, we will still pay the disability benefit less the CareShield Life benefit that applies at the time, even if your CareShield Life plan had ended, as long as you have a Basic ElderShield plan and your Care Secure policy has not ended.

  • Q:What is the support benefit payable?

    A:

    If you become and continue to be disabled, we pay the support benefit shown in the table below.

    Disability StatusBenefit
    Moderately disabled300% of disability benefit
    Severely disabled600% of disability benefit


    We will pay the support benefit immediately after the deferment period. The maximum support benefit we will pay is 600% of the disability benefit. If you become moderately disabled and then recover, you can only make another claim for the remaining amount of support benefit if you later become severely disabled.

  • Q:What is the dependant benefit payable?

    A:

    If you have at least one dependant and you become disabled, we pay the dependant benefit, which is 25% of your disability benefit, every month for up to 36 months in your lifetime. This benefit depends on the following conditions.


    • If you recover from the disability and you have not fully used the amount under this benefit, you may make another claim for the remaining amount if you become disabled again as long as we have not paid for more than 36 months in your lifetime.
    • If the child is no longer considered a child (because of their age or otherwise) at any time after we have begun paying this benefit, we will continue to pay this benefit until your death or you recover from the disability. The payment will then end.


    We only have to start paying the dependant benefit after the deferment period.

  • Q:What is the death benefit payable?

    A:

    We pay the death benefit, which is 300% of the disability benefit, if you die during the term of your policy and while receiving the disability benefit.

  • Q:Is there any waiting period?

    A:

    There is waiting period of 90 days from the commencement date or reinstatement date, whichever is later, except for claims resulting from an accident. If you become disabled during the waiting period (other than due to an accident), your policy will end and you will receive a full refund of the premium.

  • Q:How can I make a claim?

    A:

    To claim under your policy, you must send us a completed claim form. A certification by an approved assessor under the Relevant Act that you are suffering from disability must also be sent to us. 

  • Q:What is the deferment period?

    A:

    Deferment period means the 90-day period from the claim date (inclusive). We will pay the first benefit payment immediately after the deferment period. We treat the claim date as the date on which the claim form for your policy is certified by an approved assessor under the Relevant Act.

    If you have recovered from a disability but become disabled again from the same cause within 180 days, we will not enforce the deferment period for the new claim. If you suffer disability arising from the same cause after the 180-day period, or suffer a disability arising from a different cause, the deferment period of 90 days applies for the new claim.


Eligibility and Premium Payment

  • Q:What are the premium terms and entry age available?

    A:

    You have a choice to select a premium term of up to age 67 (last birthday) or 84 (last birthday).


    For premium term of up to age 67 (last birthday)

    Minimum: 30

    Maximum: 47


    For premium term of up to age 84 (last birthday)

    Minimum: 30

    Maximum: 64


    Insured must be an existing CareShield Life policyholder.

  • Q:What is the minimum and maximum disability benefit for this policy?

    A:

    The disability benefit can be selected in multiples of $100, from the minimum of $1,200 to the maximum of S$5,000.

  • Q:How can I pay for my Care Secure premium?

    A:

    You can use your CPF MediSave account to pay for your Care Secure premiums. If you do not have enough funds in your account, you can use the CPF MediSave accounts of your spouse, parents, children or grandchildren. To do so, you are required to complete and submit the Change of Premium Payment Method form.


    Alternatively, you can pay the full premium by cash, cheque or GIRO. For GIRO, please complete and submit the GIRO application form.


    You should note that the maximum amount that you can use from the CPF MediSave account(s) to pay for CareShield Life Supplements is S$600 per insured per calendar year. You will have to pay any remaining amount by cash, cheque or GIRO.


    We will send you a premium notice if we cannot collect the premium from your or any other authorised account through CPF or GIRO, in which case, you must pay us the premium by cash or cheque.

  • Q:Is the premium payable for this policy guaranteed?

    A:

    The premium that you pay for your policy can change. If we change the premium for your policy, we will write to you at your last-known address. We will do this at least 30 days before the change is to take place. We will tell you what your new premium will be.

  • Q:Can I purchase Care Secure with Income if I already have existing CareShield Life Supplements with another insurer?

    A:

    Yes, you can. However, you should note that the maximum amount that you can use from the CPF MediSave account(s) to pay for CareShield Life Supplements is S$600 per insured per calendar year. This means that if your existing CareShield Life Supplement has already used up the S$600 limit, you will have to pay your Care Secure premiums in cash, cheque or GIRO. For GIRO, please complete and submit the GIRO application form.

  • Q:Can I cancel my CareShield Life policy since I am applying for Care Secure?

    A:

    No. In order to apply for Care Secure, your CareShield Life policy has to be in force. Care Secure is a supplement plan to your CareShield Life policy.

  • Q:Does Care Secure have a Non-forfeiture feature?

    A:

    Yes, it does. After you have made a minimum number of premium payments, your Care Secure policy will be treated as paid-up. This means that your Care Secure policy will not terminate due to non-payment of premiums. Your Care Secure policy will instead have a reduced benefit.

  • Q:Do I have to pay for the premium of the Care Secure policy when I am receiving the disability benefit due to disability?

    A:

    If, on the date when the premium is due, you are disabled and eligible to receive benefit payments under your policy, you do not have to pay the premium. You will have to start paying premiums again after you are no longer disabled and benefit payments have ended.

New Application

  • Q:Why do I still have to pay by cash although I have submitted the GIRO form?

    A:

    It may take some time for the bank to approve the Interbank GIRO application. Meanwhile, we will send you a premium notice when premium is due, in which case, you must pay us the premium by cash or cheque.

  • Q:Can I backdate my policy?

    A:

    Yes, you may backdate your policy only if all the conditions are met:

    1. The policy is backdated to a date within 6 months from the application received date;
    2. The policy is backdated to a date within 6 months within the calendar year; and
    3. Underwriting is approved.
Policy Renewal

  • Q:How will I be notified of my Care Secure Renewal?

    A:

    You will receive a Renewal Notice from us two months before your policy renewal date.

  • Q:What do I need to do when I receive my Renewal Notice?

    A:

    Depending on your Care Secure premium payment mode, please ensure the necessary actions indicated in the table below.


    Premium payment modeNecessary actions we require from you
    CPF MediSave accountPlease ensure sufficient funds in the CPF MediSave account(s) to avoid any disruption to your coverage.
    GIROPlease ensure sufficient funds in the GIRO account(s) to avoid any disruption to your coverage.
    CashYou may: issue a cheque to “Income Insurance Limited”. Please indicate your name, contact number and policy number at the back of the cheque; or pay by NETS or cash at any of our servicing branches


Policy Reinstatement

  • Q:Why has my Care Secure policy lapsed?

    A:

    Your Care Secure policy has lapsed due to non-payment of premiums that are overdue for 75 days after the renewal date.

  • Q:How do I reinstate my Care Secure policy?

    A:

    You are allowed to reinstate your policy within 180 days from your policy lapse date. You will need to complete the reinstatement form and declare all your health information. Your reinstatement application will be subject to underwriting.

    You can choose to submit the completed form:

    • At any Income branch
    • Send it by post to Income Centre 75 Bras Basah Road Singapore 189557

  • Q:What should I do if it is past 180 days from my lapse date?

    A:

    You will no longer be able to reinstate your Care Secure policy. Instead, you will need to take up a new Care Secure policy. You will need to complete the Care Secure application form and declare all your health information. Your application will be subject to underwriting.

    You can submit your new application on Income website.

Policy Alteration

  • Q:How do I change my premium payment mode for my Care Secure policy?

    A:

    You will need to complete the Change of Premium Payment Method form at least two weeks before your policy renewal date.

    You can choose to submit the completed form:

    • At any Income branch
    • Send it by post to Income Centre 75 Bras Basah Road Singapore 189557

  • Q:Can I terminate my Care Secure policy later if I decide that it is not suitable for my needs?

    A:

    If you request to terminate your Care Secure policy within the free-look period of 60 days from the policy commencement date, you shall be entitled to cancel this policy and you will receive a full refund of your premium, less any medical and other expenses we spent to consider your application. There is no refund for termination request made after the free-look period and the policy will be terminated at the next renewal.

    To terminate your Care Secure policy, you will need to complete the termination form. You can choose to submit the completed form:

    • At any Income branch
    • Send it by post to Income Centre 75 Bras Basah Road Singapore 189557

  • Q:Can I increase or decrease my Care Secure monthly benefit?

    A:

    Yes, you can. You will need to complete the Alteration form.


    For increase in monthly benefit, the changes to the policy can only be approved if

    • the policy duration is less than one year from your Care Secure policy start date; and
    • the Alteration form is submitted to us before age 64;

    Your application will be subject to underwriting (only for request to increase benefit).


    For decrease in monthly benefit, the changes can only be approved if

    • the new disability benefit is not lower than the minimum disability benefit of S$1,200; and
    • the Alteration form is submitted to us


    There is no refund of difference in premium for decrease in monthly benefit.


    You can choose to submit the completed form:

    • At any Income branch
    • Send it by post to Income Centre 75 Bras Basah Road Singapore 189557


    Once approved, changes will be effective from your next policy renewal and the revised premium is based on the entry age at policy inception and the revised disability benefit.

Others

  • Q:I am currently receiving Additional Premium Support (APS) from the Government. Will I still receive APS if I am insured under Care Secure?

    A:

    Anyone who pays for, or is insured under Care Secure is not eligible for Additional Premium Support (APS) from the Government. ^

    If you are currently receiving APS to pay for your MediShield Life and/or CareShield Life premiums, and you choose to be insured under Care Secure, you will stop receiving APS. This applies even if you are not the person paying for Care Secure. In addition, if you choose to be insured under Care Secure, the person paying for Care Secure will stop receiving APS, if he or she is currently receiving APS.

    ^ APS is for families who need assistance with MediShield Life and/or CareShield Life premiums, even after receiving premium subsidies and making use of MediSave to pay for these premiums.