The Business Times
business-time-50
THINKING ALOUD
·
SUBSCRIBERS

Demographic trends challenge IP insurers’ sustainability

Singapore is expected to reach ‘super-aged’ status this year, and an ageing population will suffer more chronic diseases and need healthcare

Summarise
google-preferred-sourceAdd BT as a preferred source
Genevieve Cua

Genevieve Cua

Published Thu, Apr 9, 2026 · 07:00 AM
阅读简体中文版 (beta)
    • Singapore's falling birth rate and the rise in the proportion of those aged 65 and older do not bode well for IP insurers' risk pools.
    • Singapore's falling birth rate and the rise in the proportion of those aged 65 and older do not bode well for IP insurers' risk pools. IMAGE: PIXABAY

    [SINGAPORE] All seven insurers that offer Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) have just rolled out new-design riders. In line with the Ministry of Health’s requirements, the riders no longer cover the deductible portion of the hospital bill, and the co-payment cap rises from S$3,000 to S$6,000.

    The new riders are on average around 30 per cent cheaper than older riders, and savings could be even more substantial depending on the insurer.

    For policyholders, the trade-off is higher out-of-pocket expenses. Making policyholders pay a larger share of a hospital bill is expected to curb overconsumption of healthcare.

    Integrated ShieldHealthcare costsThinking Aloud

    TRENDING NOW

    Longest-serving chief minister Taib Mahmud’s legacy looms large over Sarawak as a family feud over his estate threatens to expose skeleton’s in the eastern state’s political closet.

    On the board but frozen out: The Taib family feud tearing Sarawak construction giant apart

    Electric vehicles and the changed dynamics of mainstream and luxury car segments mean Certificates of Entitlement should not be used to classify cars.

    Is it time to scrap COE categories for cars? 

    Thailand’s target is to export seven million tonnes of rice globally in 2026, but the Middle East war has turned the world topsy-turvy with supply disruptions, high oil prices and economic uncertainty.

    Thai and Vietnamese farmers may stop planting rice because of the Iran war. Here’s why

    Court documents showed the largest sum of money Benjamin Chung Hiang Wee took was from his uncle, an odd-job worker.

    Former manager with DBS Bank admits cheating 7 victims, including his uncle, of over S$1 million

    Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
    Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
    View More