The Business Times
business-time-50
MIND THE GAP

Indexed universal life plans hit the sweet spot among wealthy and mass-affluent clients

Demand for such jumbo policies is driven by rising wealth creation in Asia-Pacific

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

Genevieve Cua

Published Wed, Feb 25, 2026 · 06:00 AM
阅读简体中文版 (beta)
    • Large policies like indexed universal life are a tool in legacy planning as their cash payout makes it possible to equalise the distribution of an estate to heirs, unlike real estate or a business.
    • Large policies like indexed universal life are a tool in legacy planning as their cash payout makes it possible to equalise the distribution of an estate to heirs, unlike real estate or a business. IMAGE: PIXABAY

    [SINGAPORE] Universal life (UL) policies have long been the mainstay of high-net-worth (HNW) insurance, but a variant that offers market exposure with downside protection appears to hit the sweet spot among wealthy clients.

    Some insurers report increasing take-up of indexed universal life (IUL) policies with a larger sum assured to boot. Manulife recently issued a US$300 million policy for a single client that may well be the largest to date in Singapore and in the region.

    In the last 12 months, it issued 25 individual policies each valued at more than US$50 million. Between 2024 and 2025, sales rose by 40 per cent in this segment of policies.

    Mind the GapInsurance

    TRENDING NOW

    Buntono is accused of possessing properties that, in part, represent his benefits from income tax evasion, including a Lamborghini Aventador similar to the one pictured.

    Lamborghini-driving boss of Eminent Frog Porridge charged with S$3.8 million tax evasion, money laundering

    Hong Kong youth no longer see a stable job and a lifetime of work as the only life goal – instead, they place greater emphasis on freedom and quality of life.

    Not in education, employment or training: Why more Hong Kong youths are opting out of work

    Koh Boon Hwee says humans have accepted that robots can take over the most repetitive, manual tasks, but are nervous about AI, which can also think.

    With AI, it’s not about coding better; workers need to think better: Koh Boon Hwee

    Vincent Tan, founder of Berjaya Group, has reduced his holdings in multiple companies within the group.

    Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan’s sell-downs point to pruning rather than an exit plan

    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