tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39589156959730636162024-03-13T14:44:21.258+08:00Financial Planning with Chris PuaChristopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-65450519234000399832013-10-02T10:53:00.000+08:002013-10-02T11:21:38.019+08:00Interview with Les BrownChristopher Pua interview with Les Brown<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1nhwCIxQDnk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua
<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-41712667233534304312013-01-22T18:20:00.002+08:002013-01-22T18:23:20.007+08:00Enhancing Medishield: Better Coverage for SingaporeansAs you may have already know by now, MOH is undergoing a major enhancement exercise on the medishield coverage for all Singaporeans. These changes will impact all existing medishield plans members as well as CPF members holding private integrated shield plan coverage from the major 5 insurers namely: NTUC, GE, Prudential, AIA and Aviva.<br />
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The new Private Integrated Shield plans will most probably be launched in the month of Mar 2013 and with some standardisation to the types of plans and benefits offered by the different insurers, the public will now have a easier time making comparison between plans and similar plans offered by different insurers.<br />
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That being said, most of these changes has been initiated by MOH which makes some long awaited changes to the basic Medishield plan. Do read the abstract from MOH website below or follow the link to get the full article published on MOH website:<br />
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"<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Ministry of Health (MOH) held a public consultation in July and August to solicit feedback on the proposed MediShield enhancements to improve coverage and make MediShield more inclusive.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 All the proposed enhancements received strong support from the vast majority of respondents (see Table 1 in <a href="http://www.moh.gov.sg/content/dam/moh_web/PressRoom/Articles/2012/Press%20Release%20-%20MSH%20Enhancements%202012%20(Annex).pdf" style="background-image: url(http://www.moh.gov.sg/etc/designs/moh_web/images/icons/page_white_acrobat.png); background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 0px 2px 22px; text-decoration: none;">Annex A</a> for details). MOH will thus implement all the proposed enhancements.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3 MOH will also consider the extension of coverage to congenital and neonatal conditions as part of a broader review on supporting healthcare costs for children. This will tie in with on-going deliberations on encouraging marriage and parenthood as well as the “Our Singapore Conversation” (OSC) taking place to shape a consensus on the future of Singapore. For example, Prime Minister suggested earlier that a Medisave account could be set up for newborns and the Government could consider providing a start-up amount for childhood medical expenses. These ideas, including the proposed extension to cover congenital and neonatal conditions under MediShield will be surfaced for discussion at various OSC platforms.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4 Members of public also shared many additional ideas for further improvements to the MediShield scheme, some of which will be adopted for implementation in this round of review (see Table 2 in Annex A for details). Among them, MOH will be increasing the Medisave withdrawal limits for premiums, to fully cover basic MediShield premiums at all ages. MOH will also be removing the maximum entry age of 75 to help more uninsured but healthy elderly obtain insurance coverage. Other suggestions, such as for MediShield to cover outpatient treatment will require further detailed study as it is a major shift in MediShield’s focus and could have significant impact on the premiums.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">MediShield Enhancements Effective From 1 March 2013</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">5 In summary, MOH, in consultation with the public, will make the following enhancements and changes to MediShield from 1 March 2013:</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Proposed by MOH</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a. Increase the maximum coverage age to 90;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">b. Extend coverage to inpatient psychiatric treatment at $100 per day up to 35 days per year;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">c. Increase the policy year and lifetime limits from $50,000 to $70,000 and from $200,000 to $300,000 respectively;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">d. Extend coverage to short-stay wards in Emergency Departments; and</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">e. Increase the Class B2/C deductibles moderately by $500 for those aged 80 and below<sup style="border: 0px; bottom: 0.7em; font-weight: bold; height: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">1</sup>.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Additional changes arising from public feedback</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a. Increase the Medisave withdrawal limits for MediShield and Integrated Shield Plans premiums from $800 to $1,000 for those aged 76 to 80 and from $1,150 to $1,200 for those above age 80; and</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> b. Remove the MediShield maximum entry age of 75 to enable healthy uninsured elderly to obtain coverage.</span></div>
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<strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Update of Premiums : read the full <a href="http://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/pressRoomItemRelease/2012/enhancing-medishield-better-coverage-for-singaporeans.html" target="_blank">article</a> here.</strong></div>
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a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua
<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-49034226956676906162012-05-04T15:37:00.000+08:002012-05-04T15:37:22.597+08:00TestimonyTestimony by Lin SuMei: May 2012<br />
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潘伟德先生,<br />
是个很诚恳的保险经纪理财顾问。是我所遇到的最好的一位!我很愿意把(他)潘伟德先生介绍给所有有需要帮助的人。他不是为了得到自己利益而去帮别人的一位很好的保险经纪和理财顾问。请大家放心得把他介绍给你身边有需要帮助的朋友!谢谢!!<br />
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素梅<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyK7KI-ZtDaEyxvYwt7nM10DJXb2i0f6Y0iAzM1oMFQCif52X9o9_hdgN0hhMs6GhOrEu91vHDDalnDRnoaK6GXRXJX0ZNCAkT5uD-FGerDZhrEbbUGzY5bXQfkzQYmYY6i5rWsjm3I0V/s1600/Testimony+Sumei+May+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyK7KI-ZtDaEyxvYwt7nM10DJXb2i0f6Y0iAzM1oMFQCif52X9o9_hdgN0hhMs6GhOrEu91vHDDalnDRnoaK6GXRXJX0ZNCAkT5uD-FGerDZhrEbbUGzY5bXQfkzQYmYY6i5rWsjm3I0V/s320/Testimony+Sumei+May+2012.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua
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</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-12697776685943457242012-04-20T14:18:00.002+08:002012-04-20T14:40:19.468+08:00Testimony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2W-p6w_5Rjs2HfDyrsslq9cGMciFtFZxlay7YLiXZCyLPtrahYa4N4FwcHyNicCvcnYMaQ6PaKurt9-qbTWwPeO2FfTWF0YqaITCSSpbGCvHBk6A-ZV9k5kEKBEQdx2U2Rz6J_-vR_fY/s1600/Testimony+Surya+Apr2012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2W-p6w_5Rjs2HfDyrsslq9cGMciFtFZxlay7YLiXZCyLPtrahYa4N4FwcHyNicCvcnYMaQ6PaKurt9-qbTWwPeO2FfTWF0YqaITCSSpbGCvHBk6A-ZV9k5kEKBEQdx2U2Rz6J_-vR_fY/s320/Testimony+Surya+Apr2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733368832871866786" /></a><br /><div>Testimony by Mdm Surya: Apr 2012</div><div><br /></div><div>Mr Christopher Pua is my personal Financial Planner, the most extraordinary person that I have met in my 52 years, a very warm, helpful person during my husband stay in Hospital at TTSH. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last year, my husband has some medical issue and have to be admitted in a Private Hospital. Christopher Pua was very helpful in getting all my bills in time for me to pay my credit card bill. His timing was so perfect that I got my cheque from AIA in time to settle the credit card payment. It was a shock when I total up the bill, it turn out to be $20,000 and above.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a great relief that we have coverage with AIA and Christopher was my agent. He is not like any other Insurance Agent, he would answer my call every time I have called him. And also ready to come to assist me in my time when I needed help, also in understanding about my policy.</div><div><br /></div><div>THANK You Christopher.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for your assistance</div><div><br /></div><div>Mdm Surya</div><div><br /></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-51647550377650446762012-03-23T00:39:00.003+08:002012-03-23T00:42:47.802+08:00Getting the Fats Right!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 38px; font-family:Arial, Verdana, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >sources: http://www.hpb.gov.sg</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XfVo_yuZbY_5I6KUu_qioFtlVjXpYJ1xj5hJ8UNvm7XL9flLFfODBZogOtyYBVw9wQQZULcrK3BG17iVuuDXdMcpwfW9bt5w8z29z6mepeCqXFjDkuiItvA4gu8q2LuBZkJGizdOs8As/s1600/Cutlery-Heart_476x357.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XfVo_yuZbY_5I6KUu_qioFtlVjXpYJ1xj5hJ8UNvm7XL9flLFfODBZogOtyYBVw9wQQZULcrK3BG17iVuuDXdMcpwfW9bt5w8z29z6mepeCqXFjDkuiItvA4gu8q2LuBZkJGizdOs8As/s320/Cutlery-Heart_476x357.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722762498298220466" /></span></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><div id="article_summary" class="clear" face="inherit" color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; "><div class="container930" face="inherit" color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 630px; "><div class="clear" id="article_teaser" face="inherit" color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; width: 320px; float: left; "><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Verdana, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; ">You probably know that you should not consume too much fat. But is fat all bad? What else should you know about this nutrient? Read on to find out.</p></div></div></div><hr style=" line-height: 15px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(226, 211, 140); color: rgb(226, 211, 140); clear: both; float: none; width: 630px; height: 0.1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; font-family:Arial, Verdana, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;color:initial;"><div id="content" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Lucida Grande', Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;font-size:12px;color:initial;"><div id="ctl00_cphMain_HOP3Article_cbContent" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;font-size:12px;color:initial;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Fat plays an important role in our body, functioning as an energy store, a cushion for vital organs and a transport system for fat-soluble vitamins. That is why we require some fat in our diet. However, as fat is a concentrated source of calories (9kcal/g compared to 4kcal/g for carbohydrate and protein), eating too much may lead to weight gain and obesity.</span></p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(124, 83, 60); letter-spacing: -1px; font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:2em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">So how much fat should I have?</span></h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Fat should make up about 25-30% of our total energy intake. Based on a typical 2000kcal diet, the total fat allowance is about 55 to 65g a day. It’s easy to exceed this allowance if one is not mindful. For example, if you have a curry puff for breakfast, a bowl of laksa for lunch and a plate of chicken rice for dinner, you would have already consumed 70g of fat.</span></p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(124, 83, 60); letter-spacing: -1px; font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:2em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Are there different types of fat?</span></h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Yes,</span> <span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">there are 4 types of fat:</span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; "><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Saturated fat</span></li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Monounsaturated fat</span></li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Polyunsaturated fat</span></li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Trans fat</span></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Fats and oils in food are a mixture of saturated and unsaturated fats. There is usually a higher proportion of a particular type of fat in the mixture. Fats or oils that contain mostly saturated fat are often termed "saturated fat"; likewise, those that contain mostly unsaturated fat of either type are termed "monounsaturated fat" or "polyunsaturated fat".</span></p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(124, 83, 60); letter-spacing: -1px; font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:2em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Did you know that different types of fat can affect your health differently?</span></h2><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1; color: rgb(200, 127, 0); font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1.5em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">The “bad” fats</span></h3><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; "><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; "><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.25em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.25; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1.25em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Trans fat</span></h4></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Trans fat is formed when vegetable oils undergo hydrogenation, an industrial process that hardens liquid oil to produce fats like hard margarine and shortening. Trans fat raises LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol and lowers HDL (‘good’) cholesterol levels, thus increasing the risk of heart disease.</span> <span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">The main sources of trans fat in our diet are pastries, cakes, cookies, biscuits, commercially deep-fried food as well as products containing vegetable shortening and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; "><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; "><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.25em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.25; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1.25em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Saturated fat</span></h4></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">A diet high in saturated fat raises the level of LDL-cholesterol in our body, which increases the risk of heart disease. Major sources of saturated fat include animal fats (e.g. lard, fatty meat, skin of poultry); high-fat dairy products (e.g. full cream milk, butter, ghee); food prepared with palm-based vegetable oil; as well as dishes containing coconut milk or coconut cream.</span></p><h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1; color: rgb(200, 127, 0); font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1.5em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">The “good” fats</span></h3><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; "><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; "><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.25em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.25; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1.25em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Polyunsaturated fat</span></h4></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">There are two main families of polyunsaturated fat: omega-3 and omega-6.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Omega-3 fat helps reduce blood clotting in the arteries, protects arteries from hardening, and reduces the level of triglycerides in the blood. This in turn lowers the risk of heart disease. Good sources of omega-3 fat include fish e.g. salmon, sardine, longtail shad (<i>terubok</i>) and Spanish mackerel (<i>tenggiri papan</i>); walnuts; canola oil and soybean oil; as well as products enriched or fortified with omega-3 (e.g. bread and eggs).</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Omega-6 fat also helps improve heart health by reducing total and LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood. Good sources of omega-6 fat include: vegetable oils (e.g. corn oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil); and seeds (e.g. sunflower seeds and sesame seeds).</span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; "><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; "><h4 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.25em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.25; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:1.25em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Monounsaturated fat</span></h4></li></ul><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Monounsaturated fat tends to lower total and LDL-cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) levels in the body. Food rich in monounsaturated fat include vegetable oils (e.g. olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil); most nuts (e.g. almonds, cashew nuts and hazelnuts); as well as avocados.</span></p><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(124, 83, 60); letter-spacing: -1px; font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:2em;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">So what should I do?</span></h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">As part of healthy eating, aim to consume fat in moderate amounts. Remember, having too much fat, even the ‘good’ types, will provide excess calories. Limit the intake of saturated fat and trans fat in your diet, and replace them with unsaturated fats. Here are some ways for you to do just that:</span></p><h2 face="Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2em" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(124, 83, 60); letter-spacing: -1px; ">At home </h2><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; "><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Use less oil in cooking. Choose oils higher in unsaturated fat, and avoid re-using oils more than twice.</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Adopt healthier cooking methods (e.g. steaming, baking) more often. Replace coconut milk or coconut cream in cooking with low fat milk.</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Use fat spreads (e.g. margarine, butter, kaya, peanut butter) sparingly.</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Choose low fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and skinless poultry</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Consume fish at least twice a week. Replace meat in dishes with beans and bean products (e.g. tofu) on some days.</li></ul><h2 face="Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2em" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(124, 83, 60); letter-spacing: -1px; ">When eating out </h2><ul style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; "><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Choose dishes prepared without coconut cream or coconut milk</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Replace fried noodles with soup noodles occasionally</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Limit deep-fried food to no more than twice a week.</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Consume high-fat bakery products (e.g. pastries, cakes and cookies) less often.</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Remove visible fat and skin from meat and poultry.</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Ask for less oil and gravy in food.</li></ul><h2 face="Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2em" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(124, 83, 60); letter-spacing: -1px; ">When shopping</h2><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; "><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Read the <a title="ingredient list" href="http://www.hpb.gov.sg/print.aspx?printDialog=true#" in_tag="ul" kaspersky_status="skipped" target="_self" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(1, 70, 153); text-decoration: none; "><span style="color:#800080;">ingredient list</span></a> to identify products that contain hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats/oils/shortening. These are likely to be high in saturated and trans fat.</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Read the <a title="Nutrition Information Panel" href="http://www.hpb.gov.sg/print.aspx?printDialog=true#" in_tag="ul" kaspersky_status="skipped" target="_self" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(1, 70, 153); text-decoration: none; "><span style="color:#800080;">Nutrition Information Panel</span></a> on food labels to compare the amount of fat in food products.</li><li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.hpb.gov.sg/static/images/foodforhealth/content_bullet.gif); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; ">Choose products with the <a title="Healthier Choice Symbol" href="http://www.hpb.gov.sg/print.aspx?printDialog=true#" in_tag="ul" kaspersky_status="skipped" target="_self" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(1, 70, 153); text-decoration: none; "><span style="color:#800080;">Healthier Choice Symbol</span></a> as they are lower in total and saturated fat compared to other products in similar categories. These products also have no trans fat or only negligible amounts of it per serving.</li></ul><h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: normal; font-style: inherit; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(124, 83, 60); letter-spacing: -1px; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">What about cholesterol?</span></h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.8em; "><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">Cholesterol is not a type of fat. It has a different chemical structure and has different functions in the body. Our liver makes most of the cholesterol our body needs. For some people, a diet high in cholesterol can increase their blood cholesterol levels. To be safe, limit your cholesterol intake to less than 300mg per day. Avoid consuming</span> <span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;">organ meat and shellfish more than twice a week, and have no more than 4 egg yolks per week</span></p></div></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua</span><script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-44909891538658204732012-03-23T00:28:00.004+08:002012-03-23T00:33:37.065+08:00A Simpler CPF Life<div>sources from www.cpf.gov.sg: 6 Mar 2012</div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoySff4id3M6akoImHLeIZvuDFHdGthy0Q1f7kxMNinIjvJgVj6NRGmLL5gXG5mn_tgRtAKdm0xmJavGoHnT-P97m7zp0oKWePOaOG0PcpIsT7Ypo4FHW7gCqIMZSfYj93PIupAVfqSZe/s1600/CPF_Life.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoySff4id3M6akoImHLeIZvuDFHdGthy0Q1f7kxMNinIjvJgVj6NRGmLL5gXG5mn_tgRtAKdm0xmJavGoHnT-P97m7zp0oKWePOaOG0PcpIsT7Ypo4FHW7gCqIMZSfYj93PIupAVfqSZe/s320/CPF_Life.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722760359542620194" /></a><div><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td valign="top" colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">Singapore has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. For Singaporeans who are aged 65 today, about half of them are expected to live beyond 85, and a third are expected to live beyond 90. Future retirees, including those who will be turning 65 in the next few years are expected to live even longer. A growing proportion of retirees would therefore outlive their CPF savings if they were on the Minimum Sum Scheme. CPF LIFE is therefore a timely and significant enhancement to our retirement adequacy system. It will provide members with an income for life.</td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "> </td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">Taking in members’ feedback during the opt-in phase, CPF LIFE will be simplified to make choosing a plan easier for CPF members. Come 2013, members will have a choice between 2 CPF LIFE plans - a new<strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">Standard Plan</strong>, and the existing <strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">Basic Plan</strong>.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "> </td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td valign="top" width="25" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">o</td><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">The new <strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">Standard Plan</strong> combines the best features of the two most popular plans (Balanced and Plus Plans), and will be the default CPF LIFE plan. The Standard Plan provides members with higher monthly payouts while preserving flexibility in the use of their Retirement Account (RA) savings for housing prior to age 65. Members also leave a bequest for their beneficiaries under the Standard Plan.</td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "> </td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td valign="top" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">o</td><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">The <strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">Basic Plan</strong> will be retained for members who prefer a higher bequest and lower monthly payouts. This plan also provides flexibility for members who wish to use their RA savings for housing after 65 years old.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "> </td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><table border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><tbody style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">The simpler CPF LIFE scheme will be effective from 1 January 2013. The majority of members who turn 55 in 2013 will receive their CPF payouts after they reach 65 via CPF LIFE. More information on the new Standard Plan will be released in the third quarter of 2012. Members who turn 55 from 1 January 2013 will receive their customised CPF LIFE packages before they turn 55, and will have sufficient time (six months after their 55th birthday) to choose their preferred CPF LIFE plan, before the default Standard Plan applies.</td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "> </td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">Existing CPF LIFE policyholders on any of the 4 current plans can continue to remain on their existing plans. An existing policyholder may also choose to switch to the new Standard Plan before 31 Dec 2013 if he or she finds that it now better meets his or her retirement needs. Existing policyholders will receive customised informational packages from the third quarter of 2012, to help them better understand the differences between their existing plans and the new Standard plan.</td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "> </td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; "><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; ">For more information, please click <a href="http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/CPF/News/News-Release/COS_Speech-A-Simpler-CPFLIFE.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(158, 101, 0); text-decoration: none; ">here</a> for the joint MOM-CPFB News Release.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-67215474529681813102012-03-21T10:20:00.004+08:002012-03-21T10:29:05.395+08:00Testimony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCa80RmJ3GWR_On75s15ehqJzHhoSCAOAOGqc3YyeNsTDIGguwZCnOxHUbZm8x5lfPQZ-bqaQ1PTAHKA2Rt5DeKdr3D8dDYye0w_10M2yVX65fSj2F8b8t4shzqzPpFx_MoF8nD6WE_KH/s1600/Testimony+QiWei+Mar+2012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCa80RmJ3GWR_On75s15ehqJzHhoSCAOAOGqc3YyeNsTDIGguwZCnOxHUbZm8x5lfPQZ-bqaQ1PTAHKA2Rt5DeKdr3D8dDYye0w_10M2yVX65fSj2F8b8t4shzqzPpFx_MoF8nD6WE_KH/s320/Testimony+QiWei+Mar+2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722171069708334130" /></a><br /><div><b>Testimony by Yip QiWei: Mar 2012</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Christopher Pua-</div><div><br /></div><div>I find this agent is very different from the others, he will go the extra miles even for the stuff that is not related to his work.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is a good financial adviser which have done a lot of homework before advising the client.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is a person who believes in quality service.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whenever I have insurance enquiry, he will not hesitate to help.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yip QiWei</div><div>Mar 2012</div><div><br /></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-80599641387649454472012-03-02T10:03:00.000+08:002012-03-21T10:19:39.664+08:00Testimony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCG3Ak5AuE9euy0Zt-RN9LoGbaow5B_9g3tlTs1YeJI_onmbLYMzYbId9uqFCua0t7Bd8mOVSjYQ5d80tCXgwYFnNTvdC7sam5uH46ujZzH3vN7Su9MUpdvPFrmAYhOSkzF1RgrlB0kSm/s1600/Testimony+Cass+Mar+2012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCG3Ak5AuE9euy0Zt-RN9LoGbaow5B_9g3tlTs1YeJI_onmbLYMzYbId9uqFCua0t7Bd8mOVSjYQ5d80tCXgwYFnNTvdC7sam5uH46ujZzH3vN7Su9MUpdvPFrmAYhOSkzF1RgrlB0kSm/s320/Testimony+Cass+Mar+2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722168422831228642" /></a><b>Testimony by Cassandra Chan: Mar 2012</b><br /><div><br /><div>As my financial planner, I find Chris Pua to be a very caring and diligent consultant. He often takes pain to identify and unveil needs and areas for me in order to assist in providing a holistic and comprehensive coverage.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is also very responsive and responsible in taking care of all issues pertaining to my plans.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would highly recommend him to anyone who is seeking or have yet to look into planning for themselves or their family.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cassandra Chan</div><div>March 1st, 2012</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script></div>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-73009193259677442422012-01-30T11:48:00.002+08:002012-01-30T11:53:05.333+08:00Testimony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8muZZyIYHks2zlG6JSfBKrVuZ4jvcZlrqc8ngt7U9gMX97d4jkzgLWUH48lqy3yGi09PXdub_rwh00MSjYbpx5ZzRuS1qL8QyESnTJ9PBe1kUfbrncDP_gKdoy2VGuY0Cun4SXy9loup2/s1600/TESTIMONY+Susan+Jan+2012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8muZZyIYHks2zlG6JSfBKrVuZ4jvcZlrqc8ngt7U9gMX97d4jkzgLWUH48lqy3yGi09PXdub_rwh00MSjYbpx5ZzRuS1qL8QyESnTJ9PBe1kUfbrncDP_gKdoy2VGuY0Cun4SXy9loup2/s320/TESTIMONY+Susan+Jan+2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703267965722688018" /></a><br /><div><div>Testimony by Susan Ng: Jan 2012</div><div><br /></div><div>God bless that I met Chris. When I'm most in need of help, he is so sincere and he gave me prompt service. Even though I'm not his client, he was willing to help me with my Critical illness claim. So, in future, if I have any insurance needs, I will surely look for Chris.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>He doesn't mind the trouble coming by my place on several occasions to settle my claim document even though he doesn't earn any commission from me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ng Soh Shan</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-4784641678003534912012-01-30T11:20:00.003+08:002012-01-30T11:56:52.260+08:00Testimony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEOZn99a99gpXDfVcrS7hGbc3Z2p7ijHLtrSTeH74PUO57FhtlvrGG_tWz_A5hKODshPF_Cf2acT7Mm2GoDNDdc9Q-v6Q4v0sqKwaz-jcR9u5RKTrAub07L6NPX27x7XDY3tKsTIbMFQz/s1600/TESTIMONY+YinKiat+Jan+2012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEOZn99a99gpXDfVcrS7hGbc3Z2p7ijHLtrSTeH74PUO57FhtlvrGG_tWz_A5hKODshPF_Cf2acT7Mm2GoDNDdc9Q-v6Q4v0sqKwaz-jcR9u5RKTrAub07L6NPX27x7XDY3tKsTIbMFQz/s320/TESTIMONY+YinKiat+Jan+2012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703268604725267650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-odmVywJr3HtDhzqvzWRSuBnXAG63BbxvZ4IO02cSMrya8wbg8IM_PzZ5V3XICa8ctQvi105MSwR2KVbzkMIf0eYWOW7xYalK795bBlcCQBj3cAQ8G3aeN_z_lxO7SYnSYzA1o4dO3nf/s1600/TESTIMONY+Susan+Jan+2012.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Testimony by Chong Yin Kiat: Jan 2012</span><br /></a><div><br /></div><div>Testimonial for Christopher Pua.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to thank Christopher for the financial planning he did for my family. I know Christopher since 2000 and he has been my agent since my first child arrived in the year 2008. I particularly appreciate his approach "I put myself in your shoe", this is unlike other agents I met before, who were just interested to close the deals. There were few times unfortunate moments happen to my child, the policies from him is well covered. On top of that, he's responsive and efficient in chasing the claim process.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yin Kiat</div><div><br /></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-85082791665873402852012-01-30T10:55:00.003+08:002012-01-30T11:17:03.515+08:00Testimony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dbQqR1Aglr4pzLY4PJptwEKx729kEwHKpgrGpO4zT72wvszsQLsaOTWLTqiXaG8sROLQZEK04qBCyHicD2Z7cxSCiqVyTT-Ot5ziyYaYqeL4WZCJcIC1eYYuIXjgV5Kahm5JGZgRA6Qo/s1600/TESTIMONY+Lawrence+DEC+2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dbQqR1Aglr4pzLY4PJptwEKx729kEwHKpgrGpO4zT72wvszsQLsaOTWLTqiXaG8sROLQZEK04qBCyHicD2Z7cxSCiqVyTT-Ot5ziyYaYqeL4WZCJcIC1eYYuIXjgV5Kahm5JGZgRA6Qo/s320/TESTIMONY+Lawrence+DEC+2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703258500003214178" /></a><br /><div>Testimony by Lawrence Quek: Dec 2011</div><div><br /></div><div>Chris has been my financial planner since 2008. I treat him like a close brother. I find him to be frank and sincere. I noticed that as a financial planner, he recommends plan according to my needs instead of pushing products to me. And from time to time, he will sit down with us to do a review with us and to refresh about the plans that we have purchased. I feel that the critical illness and hospitalization plan is a must for us as it will help us to lessen our financial burden when such events occurs.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know a lot of insurance agents, but if there are friends who needs advise on protection or financial planning, I will refer them to Chris.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lawrence Quek </div><div><br /></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-76954108258533702642012-01-30T10:42:00.002+08:002012-01-30T10:52:59.671+08:00Testimony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI24uas85cXexUirv1HmNvvKGq1ho3NwcqWcd3a-y1xadVHpBuS0SDGQfRteEuI_R70Ai0BPa6oCmqMjEnD84NHWUxGc0bZWhbWIP15AN9I3PNiI25_MkV2gCJA6FS6BRH_UqkPNdNWU3V/s1600/TESTIMONY+KIT+DEC+2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI24uas85cXexUirv1HmNvvKGq1ho3NwcqWcd3a-y1xadVHpBuS0SDGQfRteEuI_R70Ai0BPa6oCmqMjEnD84NHWUxGc0bZWhbWIP15AN9I3PNiI25_MkV2gCJA6FS6BRH_UqkPNdNWU3V/s320/TESTIMONY+KIT+DEC+2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703252373045021250" /></a><br /><div>Testimony from Kelvin: Dec 2011</div><div><br /></div><div>Chris has been very patient and meticulous. He has great leadership skill and is a people person. Focused on sourcing the best solution for his clients. Strong-willed yet caring individual. He is responsible and always there when you need his assistance. Would recommend his services to my friends for financial planning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kelvin Low Kay Kit </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-52363793729912520852011-10-22T11:10:00.000+08:002011-10-22T11:10:08.513+08:00Why you should stop trying to beat the market - Oct. 21, 2011<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/21/pf/expert/investment_returns.moneymag/index.htm">Why you should stop trying to beat the market - Oct. 21, 2011</a><br /><br />a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-46107986567202270192011-08-01T00:47:00.000+08:002012-03-23T00:49:34.150+08:00Most S'poreans not well insured: AIA poll<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 30px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;color:#003366;"><i>sources http://www.btinvest.com.sg: </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;">22 Jul 2011 11:57 by Lester Hio</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div class="bti_textLarge bti_articleBody" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; ">NINE out of ten Singaporeans are underinsured and will be forced to downgrade their living standards should anything happen, according to a recent AIA Singapore survey.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; ">The 2011 AIA Singapore Nationwide Protection Survey, conducted between March and June this year, made five key findings with respect to Singaporeans’ perception of life insurance. It found out that Singaporean couples were not having either the correct or complete conversations about their family protection’s needs, and that it was acceptable for dependents to downgrade their living standards or remarry to make up for loss of income should anything happen.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; ">Furthermore, there is the perception that insurance is not affordable, especially with rising costs of living, as well as a slightly misguided idea of what adequate insurance entails.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; "><img src="http://www.btinvest.com.sg/system/assets/969/aia_top_story_full.jpg" alt="" width="428" height="280" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; " />AIA’s survey was prompted by a 2007 study done by the Life Insurance Association (LIA), which found that the average Singaporean was underinsured by more than 65 per cent. It showed that the average Singaporean was covered for an average of approximately $165,000, when adequate protection, to maintain a similar level of living standards, was estimated to be $495,000.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; ">LIA defines adequate protection as total coverage of approximately ten times one’s annual income.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; ">AIA’s CEO and president of LIA Tan Hak Leh pointed out the discrepancy between knowledge and action.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; ">“We found out that approximately six in ten Singaporeans claim to have a clear idea of how much they need to set aside for their dependents in the event of the death or permanent disability. However, only one in ten Singaporeans is sufficiently protected,” said Mr Tan.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; ">AIA is rolling out a series of public awareness campaigns to inform and increase public knowledge of the insurance gap. It has also collaborated with the National Family Council to implement future plans that would help inform families about the insurance gap and to help build financial resilience for families.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; ">Lim Soon Hock, chairman of the council, says that the collaboration would help with the council’s charter in building “strong, resilient and happier families”.</p></div></span></div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-78060336712341260982011-04-28T10:56:00.000+08:002011-04-28T10:56:26.073+08:00Nancy McGuirk: The Brevity of Life<div>"only one life, 'twill soon be past;</div><div>only what's done for Christ will last."</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- C.T. Studd</div><div><br /></div><iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aIceUZzB1Hs?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-60491809558349498772011-02-24T21:35:00.001+08:002011-02-24T21:53:40.426+08:0060 Minutes [CBS] - The day of reckoning - State and Local Budgets Crisis - State and Local Bon...<div>The "day of reckoning" as the Senator Chris Christie puts it, is coming to all Americans as they realized that the states they lived in are running out of money and are unable to pay off their debt obligations when they are due. Their over spending and excessive benefits programs in the country has caused America to arrive at this state of their economy. They have dug a financial pit hole so deep that I believe it would take many future generations' labour to pay back their current debts, and that's provided they stop their overspending.</div><div><br /></div><div>Watch this video, and get yourself prepared for the NEXT big Crisis that may bring America to its knee, and how it could affect your future even if you are living outside the USA.</div><div> </div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0ZvV1aWAXKc?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-45790651224006496792011-02-07T00:18:00.002+08:002011-02-24T21:53:56.727+08:00Fiat Currency or Real Assets, take your pick<div><br /></div><div>Ever wonder how the story of each fiat currency plays out in the end? Ever question why things are getting more expensive? What's the cause of inflation? is it true that food and things are getting scarce? Or are our money worth less now because loose monetary policies around the world? </div><div><br /></div><div>So, if these fiat currencies are devaluing each day, wouldn't it be wise to store your monetary value in real assets like gold, silver and other commodities? Take a pick, because when the day of reckoning comes, it will be too late when you realized that your paper dollar has turned into monopoly money.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.9143px;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rFf4TxiFDho?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /><div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script></div>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-57041466476084109752011-02-05T23:20:00.001+08:002011-02-24T21:54:12.198+08:00Meltup<div>I would to share this video I found on www.inflation.us it's a very interesting video on the impending hyperinflation that may strike the US economy, and how it will affect the whole economy and ultimately how it will matter to you. Educate yourself and be prepared for the next huge financial roller coster ride. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eb1n1X0Oqdw?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /><br /><div>a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script></div></div>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-18241848778445111752011-02-03T19:58:00.001+08:002011-02-24T21:54:27.170+08:00Overdose: The Next Financial Crisis<div>Educate yourself in what's coming our way. Man, when this next financial bubble burst, it's going to be so huge, it will make the Leman Brothers collapse and the 2008 crisis looks like child's play.</div><div><br /></div><div>Prepare yourself for the mother of all bubbles.</div><div><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4ECi6WJpbzE?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /><br />a blog on: Financial Planning Advice - Christopher Pua<script type="text/javascript">var _sttoolbar = {}</script><script src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/stblogger.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">stBlogger.init("http://w.sharethis.com/button/sharethis.js#publisher=f4e58129-d267-4f41-bdb5-dd8a7a289868&type=blogger&style=rotate");</script></div>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-20725000953249239012009-10-19T19:35:00.001+08:002009-10-19T19:35:50.332+08:00Close to 12,000 opt for CPF Life<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKoSjU_SnU6QAFc-1_ltOMPOij1JfvAF4owO_Lki9a7LxhLEDHeLxbmDc_3hghCkpQlUNNHxKAJMMqENWSx9QIaVpV2KitJszA0UAa49DTRNIu_rGSPIEopsGVbCuznXp-uhNucEeYuY/s400/ST+a8-1+18102009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394271883373685714" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Source: Straits Times Oct 18, 2009</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Close to 12,000 opt for CPF Life</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><p><b>By Jamie Ee Wen Wei</b></p><p>It has been a busy month at the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board.</p><p>Members have been flooding its offices and phone lines with questions about the new CPF Lifelong Income Scheme For The Elderly (CPF Life), which was opened last month to those aged 55 and above.</p><p><table width="300" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" align="right"><tbody><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table>Almost 30,000 people have walked into its five service centres to ask about the scheme, said Mr Tey Chee Keong, deputy director of CPF Board's lifelong income department.</p><hr width="80%"><p><b>Payout of $360 a month on retiring</b></p><p>In two years' time, when she turns 62, Madam Yeo Ai Kiaw (above) will get a payout of about $360 a month from her CPF Life Basic plan.</p><p>The plan, which has the lowest payout among the four options, will allow her to leave more money to her beneficiaries when she dies.</p><p>'My husband and I are now living with our son. He and his wife take care of all the household bills. I don't have to worry about anything,' said the sprightly 60-year-old.</p><hr width="80%"><p><b>Preparing himself for a longer life</b></p><p>Mr Palaniappan Kannappa is not afraid of death but he is worried about 'living too long'.</p><p>'The Minimum Sum in my CPF will dry up in about 20 years. What will happen if I live longer than that?' he said. So the 59-year-old accountant started shopping for a retirement policy a year ago.</p><p>Around that time, he read about the CPF Life plan, which was introduced to the public last year.</p><hr width="80%"><p><b>Mr Cheng Yew Fatt wants to remain independent in his old age</b></p><p>Mr Cheng Yew Fatt wants to remain independent in his old age.</p><p>For this reason, the 55-year-old, who is unemployed, signed up for the CPF Life Plus plan last month.</p><p>It provides him with a higher monthly payout than the Life Balanced plan, but leaves less for his beneficiaries. It suits him because he feels his three children are already well protected financially.</p><hr width="80%"><p><b>His savings will run out in 5 years</b></p><p>Mr Lee Poh Lee is a family man, but last month, he signed up for the CPF Life Income Plan, which will give him the maximum payout from his CPF from next year.</p><p>The 63-year-old, who runs a crane rental company, decided on this plan because his CPF savings are low.</p><p>'I've only about $19,000 in my CPF so it'll run out very fast.'</p><hr width="80%"><p><b>He's not signing up</b></p><p>When Mr Christopher Seet turned 55, he invested $70,000 from his CPF in an American International Assurance (AIA) annuity plan.</p><p>Early this year, he started getting a monthly payout of $562.</p><p>Now 62, Mr Seet does not intend to sign up for CPF Life. He said it does not bother him that the monthly payout he is getting now will last for only 17 years, unlike the CPF annuity scheme, which is for a lifetime. 'What is important is the present. If I really outlive my savings, then I'll just have to find some way to make ends meet.'</p><div><br /></div></span></span></span></div>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-31600392029268796462009-10-19T19:23:00.000+08:002009-10-19T19:24:32.644+08:00Stocks 'gain from crisis'<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: Straits Times Oct 19, 2009</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><div class="top_headline" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 28px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; ">Stocks 'gain from crisis'</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRAmO92f452xyCvHcU9tZ2aqeTlzh3GO2kGCMGt3ZfRA1Di6-26NJ6lJEBhPL5_nQz5UYe3FGmb3v_9girudZNdIgOWCdBGQw5AF-X2hTCU7hEwqT9EbvFK6TAPYK3s3v7sQJBPgoOk0/s400/STb16-1+19102009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394269977187954786" /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">More investors turn to equities due to low bank rates and fewer options</span></b><table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr></tr><tr></tr><tr></tr><tr></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" style="padding-right: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 8px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-size: 11px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">By Alvin Foo, Markets Correspondent</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="clear" style="clear: both; "></div><div class="border_dbl2_bn" style="border-bottom-width: 3px; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: rgb(99, 195, 194); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "></div><div class="clear" style="clear: both; "></div><div class="marginb5" style="margin-bottom: 5px; "></div><div class="story_text" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; "><p>THE equities industry has gained tremendously because of the global financial crisis, said the head of a key stockbroking company in Singapore.</p><p>Investors - faced with near-zero bank deposit interest rates and fewer alternative options for their funds - have turned to stocks in a big way.</p><p>This trend is set to continue, even as Western funds are expressing more interest in Asian stocks.</p><p>DBS Vickers chairman and chief executive Edmund Lee told The Straits Times: 'Our industry has benefited in a very big way, because there are only two asset classes that have performed in the last 12 months - equities and property.'</p><p>His company was named the best retail broker at the Securities Investors Association of Singapore (Sias) awards earlier this month.</p><p>In Singapore, the surge in the Straits Times Index (STI) bears witness to the renewed interest and liquidity in stocks. Last week, the index hit a 13-month high, crossing the 2,700-point mark. It has recouped all of the losses incurred since the sharp selldown following the collapse of Lehman Brothers.</p></div></span>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-64969759159329343652009-10-01T23:15:00.001+08:002009-10-01T23:15:35.700+08:00Minibonds payback<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Source: Straits Times Oct 1, 2009</span></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Minibonds payback</span></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">By Francis Chan</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdoZdbjgVqI6VeTFvESFsIuzYyGxGYSWkeJ29cIZKZNSAbNe10K8UF2yQ2pKQOq_MbRlqLzhJOXkSX1fLK2oaDept0vFo7XVpPg15TmHuYT3GxgXQnBBN0XgLGBF4iAllGjoJxRDBSYU/s400/ST+lb-afp+01102009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387650248370764578" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span>INVESTORS of Lehman Minibonds who are still holding the credit-linked notes should get some money back in 'a few months', said PricewaterhouseCoopers Singapore (PwC), receivers of the toxic investments on Thursday.<br /><br />The announcement will bring some cheer to investors who were unable to come to settlements with distributors that sold the products. It also allays fears that the process to recover some of the hundreds of millions of dollars lost would be bogged down in lengthy cross-border legal wrangles.<br /><br />PwC said the receivers have taken control of the underlying collateral of the notes and have started the process of realising the residual values before paying noteholders. The collateral consists mainly of corporate bonds held by two special purpose vehicles in the Cayman Islands.<br /><br />The receivers reached an agreement recently with Lehman Brothers Special Financing (LBSF), the swap counter-party in the Minibonds programme here.<br /><br />This deal clears the way for the next step, which involves the receivers appointing a disposal agent - believed to be a global investment bank - within the next few days.<br /><br />The agent will begin liquidating the underlying collateral so that certain payment obligations, including some due to LBSF, can be made. The balance of the funds will be distributed to noteholders.<br /><br />The amounts they receive will depend on what series or tranches of notes they are holding. PwC said the process will 'take a few months to liquidate the collateral and determine the actual value which can be realised'.<br /><br />Although PwC could not say when noteholders might get some money back, or how much they will get, due to confidentiality obligations.<br /><br />'This settlement provides certainty to the noteholders that at least some of their initial investment will be recovered,' said Mr Dominic Nixon, a partner at PwC and one of three appointed receivers from the audit firm.<br /><br />The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said the deal with LBSF does not affect any claims individual investors are making against the financial institutions that sold them the notes.<br /><br />'Investors who accepted partial settlement offers ... would have retained a portion of the notes, and will get to keep the residual value arising from those notes,' said MAS on Thursday.</div>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-80201377783313177302009-09-22T23:46:00.000+08:002009-09-22T23:47:14.222+08:00More flexibility with new insurance law<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">More flexibility with new insurance law</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><p><span class="bodytext" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Policyholders can now change nominees, but law not retrospective. -ST </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="content_subtitle" style=" font-style: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-variant: normal; text-transform: none; color: rgb(247, 153, 21); text-decoration: none; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Source: Thu, Sep 10, 2009<br />The Straits Times</span></span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvHmZAYSORugJdhqmtFoUnplcoVEFz9SWX_aYZga6v3qKsOpTXdBN3eqjB2GCMtryP_3o3uc3Ta45mt4z582sf5faCpYJ2QNaVh7zd5htLmQgD-kzaFGFARSlx9GWGzpaBvelRRA-SDI/s400/ST+20090908.172626_insurance+100909.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384314187107033330" /><span class="bodytext" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By Lorna Tan, Senior Correspondent</span></span></b></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">INSURANCE policyholders can name beneficiaries and change them when the need arises, thanks to the introduction of a new nomination regime.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The long-awaited Insurance Nomination Law provides policyholders of life, accident and health policies with more flexibility and control over how to distribute policy proceeds.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The new law came into effect on Sept 1 and is seen as a vast improvement on the arrangement it replaces, which did not allow policyholders to change beneficiaries even after a divorce.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This meant that if a policyholder named his spouse or children as policy beneficiaries, he effectively created a statutory trust even if he did not want to.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Policyholders were prevented from changing their beneficiaries, or cashing in their policies without the consent of beneficiaries.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Many policyholders learnt of this only during divorce proceedings when they discovered that their former spouses still had a claim on their policies, or when an insured person's death sparked a bitter family dispute.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some did not realise that if they named other parties as beneficiaries, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts and friends, they had no legal claim to policy proceeds.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The controversies surrounding such trusts prompted the insurance industry to do away with nominating beneficiaries in life policies in 2002.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The exception is NTUC Income because its policy proceeds are paid to nominees under a different law - the Cooperative Societies Act - allowing a cooperative member to make a nomination, which can include spouse, children, relatives and friends.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Under the Insurance Nomination Law, customers have two choices - to either make a trust nomination, or a revocable nomination.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With a trust nomination, the policyholder relinquishes all rights to the policy. This means that while he is still obliged to pay premiums, all policy benefits - living and death - belong to the nominees. An advantage is that policy proceeds are protected from creditors in the event of bankruptcy.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The policyholder can regain his rights to own the policy benefits only with the consent of all nominees. And only the spouse or a child of the policyholder is eligible to become a nominee.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With a revocable nomination, the policyholder continues to retain full ownership over the policy. He retains the right to change, add or remove nominees at any time without the consent of nominees.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The policyholder will receive living benefits and only death benefits will be paid to the nominees.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, the new law does not apply retrospectively to existing policies with previous nominations, but existing policies with no previous nominations are eligible.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Although the new framework applies to personal accident plans, general or non-life insurers who sell such cover would not be keen to offer their customers the option to nominate.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The General Insurance Association said that this was due to the fact that such policies are renewable either annually or on a monthly basis.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Hence any nomination by a policyholder will be valid for the period of insurance only, which can be as short as one month,' it added.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nevertheless, the new law has been welcomed by many.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr Darren Thomson, president of the Life Insurance Association (LIA), said: 'For estate planning, the new framework provides all-important clarity and hence peace of mind.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'It gives policyholders legal options in naming their beneficiaries, and a choice of control over the policy - whether they wish to relinquish or retain their rights during their lifetime.'</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">LIA added that the nomination process is straightforward with forms that are easy to complete.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To help consumers, a guide is available on its website www.lia.org.sg</span></p></span></span>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-64851310015563841182009-09-17T22:04:00.000+08:002009-09-17T22:05:12.850+08:00what you should know about CPF Life<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Source: Straits Times 13 Sept 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><table width="560" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><span class="content_bold_title" style=" font-style: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; font-variant: normal; text-transform: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you should know about CPF Life</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" class="bodytext_10pt" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><p><b>By Lorna Tan, Senior Correspondent</b></p></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSF4PV_LZqZtZaKRHtDOKPfMZEFy_4wUn2dhnQdHMcBrQqQx1Tk6R58yt5izzPfNgaYFmXUZk-B82RMlf-zs-QEYmHeTns6BCJEdR-wXx3dk8nCHX3zLEOew1OAZ7WRBAemL-tqwmIwA/s1600-h/ST+20090914.163453_know+170909.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSF4PV_LZqZtZaKRHtDOKPfMZEFy_4wUn2dhnQdHMcBrQqQx1Tk6R58yt5izzPfNgaYFmXUZk-B82RMlf-zs-QEYmHeTns6BCJEdR-wXx3dk8nCHX3zLEOew1OAZ7WRBAemL-tqwmIwA/s400/ST+20090914.163453_know+170909.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382435563148371730" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p>In the coming weeks, about 700,000 Central Provident Fund (CPF) members aged 55 and above will be invited to join the CPF Lifelong Income Scheme For The Elderly (CPF Life). The annuity scheme offers a choice of four plans that pay a monthly income for as long as you live.</p><p>These plans offer various combinations of two key elements that are traded off: monthly payouts and refund amounts upon death or withdrawal from the scheme</p><p></p><p>In other words, if you want higher monthly payouts, that will reduce any final payout to your beneficiaries.</p><p>The initiative has been widely welcomed as being superior to the current CPF Minimum Sum (MS) scheme, which gives monthly payouts for about 20 years, but not necessarily for as long as you live.</p><p>The MS is the amount you are required to set aside at age 55 for retirement needs in your Retirement Account. The Retirement Account is set up when you turn 55 with savings coming from your Ordinary and Special accounts. CPF Life payouts come from the Retirement Account.</p><p>With rising life expectancy, it is prudent to ensure that your retirement savings will last for all your days.</p><p>The opt-in system began on Sept 5 and is open to older CPF members who wish to join the annuity scheme ahead of 2013, when it will be implemented for those turning 55 then. For older CPF members, the monthly payouts will start as early as next January.</p><p>While many are still undecided, some, like Madam Wong Kwai Sim, 55, have taken the plunge. She has opted for the CPF Life Balanced Plan, which will give her an estimated monthly payout of $856 to $948 when she hits 65.</p><p>Madam Wong, who works part-time as a clerk, currently has $117,000 in her Retirement Account, which is also the prevailing MS.</p><p>'By the time I can get the monthly payout, my children will be independent. I can get some from CPF Life and keep some for them when I pass away,' she said.</p><p>The Life Balanced Plan gives a moderate payout and a moderate refund. If she had stayed on the current MS scheme, her monthly payout would be some $910 for about 20 years.</p><p>Storeman Tay Lee Kheng, 61, said it was his son Benjamin, 32, who helped him choose the Life Plus Plan, estimated to pay $463 to $492 monthly when he turns 62 next year. He has about $80,000 in his Retirement Account.</p><p>'I'm not looking to get anything from him when he passes away. It is better that he gets a higher payout...All the money is his anyway,' said Mr Benjamin Tay. The Life Plus Plan provides for higher monthly payouts and a lower refund.</p><p>For those who have not decided, here are some things you should know about CPF Life. You must choose the most suitable plan as you cannot change it after you join the scheme. You cannot withdraw either, except under certain conditions.</p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjU1s_eks9QU3GcYb3HTRvZ6j5xHbqptLbtGA-7ScMkd6Oc6IUgsmgRK2Gpb60-b-Okak_yLoG_OdDYpN8fQ5unta5xACqW1VJY5djQaj8nm8KGR7nqn4cNsWLVw7hRJmMOIdZGbQfmU/s400/CPF+life1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382435468704186258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 157px; " /></span></p><p><b>Q Who can join CPF Life?</b></p><p>You can join CPF Life if you are a Singapore citizen or permanent resident aged between 55 and 80, with savings in your Retirement Account.</p><p>Those aged 55 to 79 have up to the time they reach age 80 to sign up for CPF Life. But those aged 80 and above have to do so by December next year.</p><p>A bonus of up to $4,000 is given to Singapore citizens who do so by December next year. To qualify, your annual income and the annual value of your property must not exceed $54,000 and $11,000 respectively.</p><p><b>Q What is the monthly payout?</b></p><p>Your monthly payout depends on your Retirement Account savings used to join CPF Life.</p><p>There is no minimum amount required, but note that members with lower balances will receive correspondingly lower monthly payouts.</p><p>Other factors that will affect the monthly payout include your gender, the age at which you join the scheme and the CPF Life plan chosen. Generally, females will receive lower payouts as they tend to live longer.</p><p>If you wish to have a higher payout, you may make cash and/or CPF top-ups to your Retirement Account up to the prevailing MS.</p><p>You can use the CPF Life Payout Estimator at the CPF website www.cpf.gov.sg to find out how the monthly payout varies with your Retirement Account balance.</p><p><b>Q Is the monthly payout fixed?</b></p><p>No, the monthly payout may be adjusted every year to take into account factors such as CPF interest rates and mortality experience.</p><p>The adjustments will usually be small so that payouts are stable.</p><p>The current estimated payout range is based on CPF interest rates of between 3.75 per cent and 4.25 per cent and do not necessarily represent the lower and upper limits of the payout.</p><p><b>Q When will I start receiving my monthly payouts?</b></p><p>If you join before your drawdown age (DDA), you will start to receive your monthly payout from your DDA.</p><p>If you join after your DDA, you will start to receive the monthly payout from the following month after you are included in the scheme.</p><p>If you were born in 1943 or earlier, your DDA is 60. For those born between 1944 and 1949, their DDA is 62. If you were born in 1950 or 1951, your DDA is 63 and if you were born in 1952 or 1953, your DDA is 64. For those born in 1954 or later, your DDA is 65.</p><p><b>Q Can I change my plan after I join?</b></p><p>No, you can't. This is because changing your plan will affect other members who are already in the scheme.</p><p><b>Q Can I withdraw after I join?</b></p><p>No, except on the following grounds:</p><ul><li>Medical grounds of shortened life expectancy;</li><li>Leaving Singapore and West Malaysia permanently with no intention of returning to either country.</li></ul><p>If you are on one of the three CPF Life plans with a refund feature, you will receive a discounted refund of the savings used to join the scheme less the monthly payouts that you have received prior to your withdrawal. There may not be a refund if your savings have been fully paid out in monthly payouts.</p><p>If you are on the Life Income Plan, which is a non-refund plan, you will not receive any refund if you withdraw from the scheme.</p><p><b>Q What happens when I die?</b></p><p>Let's assume you have opted for a CPF Life plan with a refund feature. If you die before any payout is made, the full savings will be refunded. If you die after monthly payouts have started, the savings less monthly payouts will be refunded.</p><p>Do note that there may not be a refund if you die after the savings used to join CPF Life have been fully paid out in monthly payouts.</p><p>Any refund will be made to your CPF account and paid to your beneficiaries, together with the rest of your CPF savings.</p><p>If you had chosen the CPF Life plan without a refund feature, that is, the Life Income Plan, there is no refund upon death even if monthly payouts have not started.</p><p><b>Q How do I choose the most suitable CPF Life plan?</b></p><p>The four plans differ in the level of monthly payout and the refund amount that may be left to your beneficiaries. The refund, also known as the bequest, is based on the savings used to join CPF Life less monthly payouts already received.</p><p>Alpha Financial Advisers' business unit director, Mr Tan Siak Lim, says that a CPF member should try to strike a balance between his retirement lifestyle and the bequest amount.</p><p>'You should consider the effect inflation will have on the payouts over your life. As these are level payouts, the value of payouts will shrink over time as prices of goods rise.'</p><p>Here are the four plans:</p><ul><li><b>Life Basic Plan</b></li></ul><p>This plan gives a lower payout than the Balanced Plan, but leaves more for your beneficiaries. It is recommended if you are in the pink of health or have sufficient savings outside your CPF, says Mr Patrick Lim, associate director at financial advisory firm PromiseLand Independent.</p><ul><li><b>Life Balanced Plan</b></li></ul><p>If you wish to strike a balance between your monthly payout and the bequest, the Life Balanced Plan may be more suitable for you. This is also the default plan for members who are automatically included under the scheme from 2013, if they do not choose a particular plan.</p><p>Mr Thio Eng Huat, vice-president at ipac financial planning Singapore, believes that those who are fortunate to have supplementary income in their retirement may find the Life Basic or Balanced plans more suitable.</p><ul><li><b>Life Plus Plan</b></li></ul><p>This plan provides a higher payout than the Balanced Plan, but leaves less for your beneficiaries.</p><p>Mr Lim says this will appeal more to individuals with chronic medical conditions who want the higher payouts to cope with the cost of living, and yet wish to leave something behind for their beneficiaries.</p><ul><li><b>Life Income Plan</b></li></ul><p>This plan gives the highest payout, but does not leave anything for your beneficiaries. Although it is logical to conclude that this plan may be more suitable for those who do not have beneficiaries, Mr Lim does not recommend this for anyone. This is in case the member changes his mind or if his personal circumstances change. Another reason is that there is no refund upon withdrawal from the scheme.</p><p><b>Q What else should I consider?</b></p><p>You should not depend on CPF Life to meet all your retirement needs as the payouts may be insufficient.</p><p>Start saving more and plan your retirement early. To bridge the gap, you can consider additional income plans like annuities from insurers, says Mr Tan.</p><p>Mr Lim recommends NTUC Income's annuity, which comes with a guaranteed monthly or annual payout, with a potential to receive higher payouts the longer the policyholder lives.</p><p>Also, ensure that you have funds set aside for medical expenses and insurance, says Mr Thio.</p><p><i>This article was first published in <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/">The Straits Times</a>.</i></p><p></p></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjU1s_eks9QU3GcYb3HTRvZ6j5xHbqptLbtGA-7ScMkd6Oc6IUgsmgRK2Gpb60-b-Okak_yLoG_OdDYpN8fQ5unta5xACqW1VJY5djQaj8nm8KGR7nqn4cNsWLVw7hRJmMOIdZGbQfmU/s1600-h/CPF+life1.png"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"></span></div>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958915695973063616.post-28025523331695917772009-09-11T20:30:00.001+08:002009-09-11T20:30:46.130+08:00Dollar at multi-month lows<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><div class="date" style="font-size: 9px; font-weight: normal; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Source: Straits Times Sep 11, 2009</div><div class="top_headline" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:28px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dollar at multi-month lows</span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibarD0prMOmPL7NI_SAl0JZ2UCF2RAbNBTQe-cu6H8gYYeJ1dcRNe2WLJ4JPURxm1xTIHgSoAbuMzpKLapXed7r-_lUnXk1BYBAjMp3-h4r2wOtFRvz6E3Z3n0FOQ4f6Mi0w93HY-hJVs/s320/ST+usnote-afp+110909.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380185538298048818" /><div class="top_headline" style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; color: rgb(75, 74, 66); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">The dollar fell to the lowest levels for months against the euro and the yen on Friday as upbeat economic data reduced demand for the safe-haven greenback. -- PHOTO: AFP</span></span></div><table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody></tbody></table><div class="clear" style="clear: both; "></div><div class="border_dbl2_bn" style="border-bottom-width: 3px; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: rgb(99, 195, 194); margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "></div><div class="clear" style="clear: both; "></div><div class="marginb5" style="margin-bottom: 5px; "></div><div class="story_text" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; "><p>LONDON - THE dollar fell to the lowest levels for months against the euro and the yen on Friday as upbeat economic data reduced demand for the safe-haven greenback, dealers said.</p><p>The euro rose to a near nine-month high of 1.4627 dollars in early London trading. The dollar dropped to 90.98 yen - the lowest level since mid-February.</p><p>In later London trade, the European single currency stood at 1.4591 dollars compared with 1.4583 dollars in New York late on Thursday. Against the Japanese currency, the dollar fell to 91.04 yen from 91.74 yen on Thursday.</p><p>Gold headed back towards 1,000 dollars an ounce as the weak US unit made the metal cheaper for buyers holding rival currencies, pushing up demand, dealers said.</p><p>'The dollar continues to move lower setting a new low for the year against the euro... while the dollar has fallen more sharply against the yen,' said Mr Derek Halpenny, European head of global currency research at The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ in London. 'Risk appetite has been supported by mostly positive economic data from China,' he added.</p><p>Chinese economic numbers fuelled dollar weakness on Friday and investor risk appetite, underlining hopes of a global economic recovery, said Rabobank International economist Jeremy Stretch.</p><p>China said industrial activity expanded by 12.3 per cent last month and retail sales jumped 15.4 per cent, while urban fixed asset investment rose 33 per cent in January-August due to massive government spending on construction.</p><p>Traders snapped up the currencies of countries exporting commodities to the Asian powerhouse, notably the Australian dollar.</p><p>In contrast to the upbeat Chinese data, Japan revised down its estimate of second-quarter growth to 0.6 per cent, from an initial estimate of 0.9 per cent.</p><p>Most analysts meanwhile expect the dollar to weaken further amid a growing sense that recovery from the worst global economic crisis in decades is taking root.</p><p>With the economic outlook brightening, traders tend to shun the dollar in favour of riskier currencies that appeared more profitable, like the euro. -- AFP</p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic; font-family:'Century Gothic', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">a blog on:</span></span><a href="http://financial-planning-advice.blogspot.com/" style="color: rgb(34, 51, 68); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"> Financial Planning Advice - Christopher P</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">ua</span></span></a></span></p></div></span>Christopher Puahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07560497923487569303noreply@blogger.com0