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• Eating nuts regularly may lower the risk of common health problems such as heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes. People who reported eating nuts at least 5 times per week were 29 percent less likely to die of heart disease than those who avoided nuts. Also, people who eat a lot of nuts are less likely to put on weight.

• Singapore, which has one of the world’s highest

rates of myopia, spends a staggering US$250 million (S$311.5 million) on prescription glasses a year. The lack of outdoor activity among children here could be one reason for the high rates of myopia.

• There is a rising number of youngsters needing

help to manage anger problems. The Institute of Mental Health treated 74 children aged eight to 13 for such issues from 2007 to 2011. Common signs of anger in children include physical violence, verbal abuse and being sullen or withdrawn. Parents should not dismiss the behavior as a “growing up phase”

• According to a study among elderly with an average

age of 64, those who have vigorous activity at least once a week, boosted the likelihood of healthy ageing sevenfold compared to a lifestyle of persistent inactivity. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for premature death, after smoking, excessive drinking and obesity, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally.

• Worldwide, stroke is the second-leading cause of

death after heart disease and is also a big contributor to disability. Stroke patients often experience symptoms such as a droopy face, the inability to lift their arms and garbled speech. In Singapore, there were 9.7 percent fewer cases across all age groups in 2011 compared with 2007. Stroke accounted for 9 percent of all deaths here in 2011, the fourth-highest cause of death.

• Forecasters expect GDP to expand by 3.8 percent this year, with Q4 growth coming in at 4.7 percent. GDP is expected to grow by 3.9 percent next year. According to World Economic Forum rankings, Switzerland is the most competitive economy in the world, while Singapore is a close second.

• Singapore’s real income growth this year is the

highest since 2008, with median monthly salaries hitting $3,705. A record 67 percent of residents over the age of 15 were working or looking for work this year. The employment rate of those aged 25 to 64 also rose to 79 percent.

A Publication By Manulife Singapore Marketing – Issue 7, 2013

• Singapore has become less attractive for real estate

investment. It drops out of top 3 to 7th place in

ranking of property investment prospects for Asia-Pacific cities. The drop was due partly to fears of oversupply.

• Singapreans are becoming more generous when it comes to giving their time or money for a good cause. More are also volunteering with 17 percent contributing their time and efforts, up from 8 percent. Last year, tax-deductible donations hit a record high of about $1 billion, 12 percent up from $896 million in 2011.

• Tsao Foundation is in discussions with MOH and

HDB to launch Singapore’s first HDB retirement village in Whampoa. Whampoa was selected because of the large proportion of poor elderly persons living there. About 1 in 5 residents are above 60 years old and two-thirds of them live in 3-room or smaller flats. Retirement village will include studio apartments, a nursing home wth medical staff, a day-care centre or a leisure activities club.

• According to a new survey, saving for university

starts before child turns five. The survey found that 61 percent of parents plan to send their child to a university here. Parents plan to save, or are saving $500 to $3K a month for each child’s tertiary education. 39 percent expect their offspring to study overseas, with the United States, Australia and Britain being popular destinations.

Monday, 23 December 2013

• The average billionaire here is a 64 year old male,

and is likely to build his wealth from finance, banking and investments. Singapore has the 5

th largest

billionaire population in Asia; and the 18th largest in the

world. In Singapore, 44 percent of billionaire are self-made and 15 percent inherited their wealth.

Disclaimer: This publication is intended for general information. The views expressed do not have regard to specific investment objectives, financial situations or your particular needs. Manulife shall not be liable for any action taken based on the views

expressed and information provided in this publication.

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• The life insurance sector posted strong results for

the first nine months of 2013, hitting $2 billion in weighted new business premiums, a 27 percent increase over the same period in the previous year. Sales of annual premium products were particularly strong, totaling $1.5 billion for the first three quarters of 2013, up by a sizeable 31 percent over the same period in 2012. Sales of single premium products also increased by 17 percent to reach $0.5 billion of weighted single premiums. New health insurance premiums shot up to $320 million.

• All CPF members will continue to enjoy a risk-free interest rate of 2.5 percent on their Ordinary Account savings from 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2014. An extra 1% interest will continue to be paid on the first $60,000 of a member’s combined balances, with up to $20,000 from the OA.

• Unit trusts and investment-linked insurance funds

(ILPs) in the CPF Investment Scheme delivered positive returns on average in the third quarter. In Q3, CPFIS-included funds rose 3.8 per cent on average. Equity funds returned 4.9 per cent, outperforming bond funds which rose 0.9 per cent. Mixed asset funds rose by 2.5 per cent.

• Singaporeans who have turned 55 and need cash on hand can now draw from their CPF accounts more than once a year. Previously, additional withdrawals were allowed only if a worker had been unemployed for a prolonged period of six months.

• A panel of health-care, finance and insurance

professionals as well as trade unionists and grassroots members will examine the key issues involved in introducing MediShield Life, the national insurance scheme that aims to cover everyone for life. Top considering factor is to ensure adequate protection for all while keeping premiums affordable.

• The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has doubled

insurance coverage for living related kidney donors to S$200,000, in a move to provide greater assurance and support to those who wish to help their loved ones. Now in its fourth year, the Kidney Live Donor Support Programme has provided financial assistance to needy living donors. This includes covering the cost of annual health screening and medical follow-ups, as well as one-time reimbursement for loss of income and insurance coverage.

AIA • Launch of AIA Star Shield Plus (Nov 2013) - A PA plan targetting at children (2 weeks to 16

years old) with worldwide coverage. - Covers accidental death and dismemberment, as

well as 16 common diseases.

- Medical reimbursement and double indemnity for accidental dismemberment and third degree burns when the child is involved in an accident that happened at school, on public/private conveyances or as a pedestrian on the road.

- Up to 20 years of monthly cash payout upon a catastrophic disability.

- Education fund for child and waiver of premium until he/she reaches 21 years old should the policyowner passes away due to an accident (before age 75).

- Optional coverage of 17 Child Critical Illnesses. - Option to convert to an AIA whole life or endowment

policy when your child enters adulthood. • Customer Gift Promotion with Purchase of AIA

Smart Pro Saver and AIA Retirement Saver (14 Oct to 31 Dec 2013)

- Choice of Apple lifestyle gadgets with Minimum Annualised First Year Premium starting from $15K.

AXA • Customer Promotion with Purchase of Retire Happy

(22 Oct to 16 Dec 2013) - Choice of shopping vouchers or Samsung lifestyle

gadgets with Minimum Annualised First Year Premium starting from $6K.

GE Life • Customer Reward Promotion (1 Oct to 31 Dec 2013) - Choice of shopping vouchers or air tickets with purchase

of any of eligible regular premium plans. - Minimum Monthly Premium starting from S$250. - Promotion also comes with a grand lucky draw to win

two return Business Class air tickets.

Prudential • PRUSelect Vantage Premier Promotion

(5 Nov to 31 Dec 2013) - Lower minimum single premium to $50K (both S$ and

US$) for the SP-ILP targeted at HNW clientele. - Usual plan limit is S$80K (for PRUSelect Vantage

Premier SGD and US$64K (for PRUSelect Vantage Premier USD)

mPal with optional Child Benefit rider is available for child aged 1 month to 17 years old. It provides the following additional benefits over competitor’s. i) Doubles the limit on medical reimbursements if the

injury or diagnosed covered disease is sustained overseas and treatment is sought while abroad.

ii)Provides a Weekly indemnity benefit when the child is hospitalized due to accident or accidental disability.