Is it safe to stay with AIA?

Dear Mr. Tan,
I have purchased some investments from AIA including a single premium 10-year plan with guaranteed 3.5% p.a. return.

As you are aware, AIG is seeking to sell some of its assets including AIA. If AIA is finally taken over by another financial instititution, what would you think will be the impact on the investors here like myself and many other policy holders?

Shall we terminate our policies/investments and cash out before the take over materializes?

Does the government's guarantee to cover financial institutions' obligations in Singapore also cover the obligations of insurance companies like AIA?

Many AIA customers are anxiously watching the development in the market concerning the deteriorating financial conditions of AIG and wish to have some advice from people like you as to how to react to such major changes which could affect our investments in AIA. Please share your view with us in your blog (no commitment).

REPLY
I believe that the interest of the policyholders of AIA will be protected in the event that AIA is sold to new owners. You should avoid terminating a life policy, as you are likely to suffer a big penalty.

Investing your CPF savings

Dear Mr. Tan,
Like many young Singapore couple, my wife and I plan to retrieve an amount of 20K from my CPF account for other investment before all our money in the CPF is wiped out by HDB for our HDB flat. Basically, the reason for doing this is to save our money for rainy day in case anything happen (i.e. retrenchment).

As we are not a high risk taker, we decided to just invest our money into unit trust. We met up with our insurance agent from AIA and he introduced us to these few AIA funds.

1) AIA Greater China Equity Fund 30%
2) AIA Regional Equity Fund 20%
3) AIA Regional Fixed Income Fund 50%

As such, we will appreciate your expert advice on the following:

1) Is this the right time for us to invest our money into unit trust?
2) Is unit trust the best option for us?
3) Is it advisable for us to invest onto AIA Company in view that they may be took over by other company soon.
4) Please advise if the three funds that our agent introduced to us is suitable for us?

REPLY
I normally advise people to invest in the STI ETF due to low charges. You can get most of the returns. Read the FAQ in my website.

If you buy an investment linked product from an insurance company, you should ask about the charges that are taken away from your investments. This is also explained in the FAQ.

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I invite readers of my blog to visit the Civic Advocator. It is managed by my friend and is aimed at educating the public about social affairs.

High birth rate in France

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1. The income tax system favours large families. The larger the family, the lower the effective tax rate. Some high income earners does not have to pay any income tax, if they have a few children.

2. There are adequate child care facilities in the community and the workplace.  This is supplemented by a system of nannies who take care of children in their homes. The cost of the nany is largely borne by the state.

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Read this article.

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Miami banker gives $60 million of his own to employees

A generous banker.