Know Your Financial Planning with Ethan Neo

08/04/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝘁: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 "𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀" 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 "𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲" 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄

I know that recent headlines about Singapore’s Integrated Shield Plans (IP) have caused confusion. For years, we were told that 95%/100% coverage was the gold standard, and now, the rules have fundamentally shifted.

I hope, through this post, I can help to reframe this for you. This isn't just about insurance - it's about 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 and your "𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹" strategy.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁, 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 (𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄):

The era of "full riders" - where you never see a single medical bill or just a small bill - has ended as of 1 April 2026. All new riders now will no longer include coverage for Annual Deductible and will see a higher a co-insurance element.

Here is the straightforward breakdown of the impact on you:

✅ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢: Your IP premiums are going down significantly in the tune of 30-50%. This is hundreds and even thousands of dollars back in your pocket today.

❌ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡: If you are hospitalized or going for a surgery, you are now responsible for the Annual Deductible ($1,500 to $3,500 depending on ward type) and a higher co-insurance with an annual cap of $6,000.

𝗠𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: Don't fear the co-payment and instead, prepare for it, right-size your coverage.

If you are saving $1,000 a year on premiums under the new framework, that is cash flow you can redirect towards your future needs, while ensuring you have a dedicated "Emergency Fund" to cover the various co-payments.

You could be looking at some form of low-risk instrument with a good degree of liquidity to achieve this.

It could be worthwhile to relook at your existing plan and decide if the numbers involved do make sense for you.

It may seem like you're protected lesser upfront, but you could see better cashflow today!

08/04/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐃𝐑𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬! 👏🏻

A solid milestone that reflects the effort, consistency, and commitment put in throughout the year. It’s not just about the end result, but the habits and discipline built along the way.

Every step forward counts — from the first conversation to the growing trust with clients over time.

And to the clients, thank you for being part of the journey and placing your trust in us.

A meaningful achievement, and just the beginning for many more ahead.

#2026

11/03/2026

[𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗡]

I have been engaging some first time parents recently to discuss some of the initial plans a young child will need. On a few occasions, this question came about - "𝘔𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺, 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘊𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮?"

The purpose of critical illness coverage for a child is often misunderstood.

It’s not about replacing the child’s income - because they don’t have one. It’s about protecting the parents’ ability to cope if the unexpected happens!

If a child faces a serious illness, the impact on the family can be significant:

• A parent may need to take extended leave or stop work temporarily
• Household income may be reduced during treatment and recovery
• Additional expenses may arise - medical care, therapy, specialized support, or even time spent travelling for treatment

A lump-sum payout from a critical illness policy can provide financial breathing room during a very difficult period.

It gives parents something extremely valuable: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲
✅the choice to pause work if needed
✅the choice to focus fully on the child’s recovery
✅the choice to prioritize family without immediate financial pressure

Insurance planning for children isn’t about expecting the worst.
It’s about ensuring that 𝗶𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 - 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱!

24/11/2025

💡 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆? 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘁?

I chanced upon an article recently and it reminds us that when we pass on, our online lives (from social media and cloud photos to wallets and subscription accounts) don’t just disappear. Without planning ahead, those digital assets can be lost or inaccessible.

Here’s a simple framework to start planning:

✅ 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 your digital accounts and assets (social media, SingPass, crypto platforms, cloud storage, external HDD, mobile phones)

✅ 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 - decide what should be kept, shared, or deleted

✅ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 - use a password manager and record recovery info

✅ 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿 - someone you trust to honour your digital legacy

✅ 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 - so your digital wishes align with your estate plan

➡️ Here’s where 𝗠𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 comes in! This Singapore government portal lets you store digital instructions securely - a central place to store your legacy data (even a copy of your Will), nominate who gets access, and allows you to document your wishes clearly. It’s an ideal tool for making sure your digital estate is handled according to your plan.

Many of us haven’t built a plan for our own digital afterlife. Planning now means clarity, protection, and respect for what matters most: your memories, your identity, your legacy.

Are you ready to work on this for yourself? PM me to get started!



Sources:

1. https://lnkd.in/guu6CcRZ

03/11/2025

𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗗𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱

A few of my clients checked in with me after reading the articles about someone having a "𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘂𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿" 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 (𝗖𝗜) 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 and were concerned if their existing policies can help them if they ever have a similar diagnosis.

Based on what was shared in the articles, the main reason for the claim denial is very likely, in my opinion, a claim definition and doctor's diagnosis mismatch.

From the articles, I deduced that the said policy's CI definition for "Benign Brain Tumour" could be that of the 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗖𝗜 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟯 𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟰. You can check the version of your CI cover definition in your respective CI coverage policies.

In the 𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗖𝗜 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟯 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟰, one of the claim conditions to meet for a "Benign Brain Tumour" claim is that it must be "life-threatening".

Then in the next revision, 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟵, the "life-threatening" claim condition was removed. The reason provided for the deletion was that LIA thought it can be debatable.

The current version is the 𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗖𝗜 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝗱.

As you can see, the definitions for CI cover do change from time to time to ensure that the standard definitions are up to date with the advancements in medical technology and diagnosis. It also seeks to address definitions which presented issues due to lack of clarity based on the benefit of experience.

That being said, I would also like to highlight that the 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀. Meaning to say, if your CI cover definition is currently using version 2003, 2014 or 2019, it will stay as that throughout the policy's term and will not be changed.

Oh! One thing that I'll inform my clients to do is to check with their doctor on the diagnosis versus the definition used in their CI policy. It will be helpful for us to know what's needed to be presented to the insurer for their claims assessment.

DM me if you would like for me to point you to the related information of your CI policy!



Sources:

1. https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-do-i-have-to-be-at-deaths-door-to-claim-medical-insurance

2. https://mothership.sg/2025/10/insurance-critical-coverage-tumour/

3. https://www.lia.org.sg/industry-guidelines/health-insurance/critical-illness-plan/

23/10/2025

𝟰 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 🧭

Over the years, I’ve realized that many people think of insurance as just another expense or “something to get later.”

But these 4 simple truths always bring the message home:

1️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁
Because if it ever becomes “worth it,” it usually means life has taken a painful turn.

2️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 - 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱
You’re not buying something; you’re buying the confidence to face life’s uncertainties.

3️⃣ 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁
Good health and eligibility aren’t guaranteed forever - they’re privileges we often take for granted.

4️⃣ 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴
When a crisis happens, you’ll understand that what they offered was protection, not persuasion.

💬You don’t have to figure this out by yourself. Reach out, and we’ll find a plan that fits your life.

19/10/2025

Thank you to Manulife FA and Trillion Financial Planners for this recognition!

Race 4 Cases - it’s a challenge set up by the firm to have us work towards a consistent level for our business month after month.

Thank you to all my clients who have given me the opportunity to share and work something with you! This recognition is for you too!

I’ll keep going!

07/10/2025

🏁 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝟭 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗠𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 🇸🇬

The roar of the engines may have faded, but the energy of the Singapore F1 weekend still lingers. Watching how the drivers handled every corner and pit stop got me thinking that managing our finances isn’t all that different from racing on the track.

Life moves at full speed for many of us with work deadlines, family commitments, bills, goals. Sometimes it feels like we’re just trying to stay on track. But just like F1 drivers, success isn’t only about speed! It’s about strategy, timing, and having the right support team!

💡 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲:
✅Your 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 are your finish line - without one, you’ll just keep going in circles.
✅A 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 is your race map - helping you anticipate turns and avoid costly detours.
✅𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 are your pit crew - there when you need a quick recovery.
✅𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 are your turbo boost - powerful, but only effective with control and discipline.

Even the best drivers take time to review each race to improve. Likewise, reflecting on your financial journey helps you stay aligned with what truly matters which is finishing strong and enjoying the ride!



Image credits: Getty Image

06/10/2025

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! May the round moon bring you a happy family and a successful future! 🥮🫖

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival from all of us at Trillion! 🌕✨

May your moon be full, your lanterns glow, and your hearts be filled with joy and togetherness. 💛

20/09/2025

🥪 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘆-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 - 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴?

For the nonstop workday, bread is an obvious grab-and-go. But not all bread behaves the same in your body or your energy levels. Quick guide you can remember at the bakery:

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀
• White - soft, fast energy (and fast crash)
• Wholegrain / Wholewheat - steady energy, more fibre
• Sourdough - fermented, gentler on blood sugar for many people
• Sprouted-grain - nutrient-dense and more filling
• Rye - dense, flavourful, often lower GI
• Brioche / Croissant - tasty treat; not a daily fuel

𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀: wholegrain, sprouted, or whole-grain sourdough as they keep you fuller and sharper between meetings.

What’s your go-to bread when you’re racing between meetings? Share below and I might try it on my next coffee break. ☕️🥖



Image credits: Getty Images

12/09/2025

10 years with Trillion Financial Planners, 15 years in the business and the mission is still the same - adding value, providing clarity one client at a time!

To many more milestones ahead together!

08/09/2025

𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆!

Many of us put off financial planning, waiting for the “right time” or until things feel more stable. But the truth is, clarity doesn’t come from thinking harder. It comes from taking small, practical steps.

Here’s how that looks in everyday life:
✅ Set up a 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗢 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 into your savings or investment account - you’ll know very quickly if the amount works for your budget.

✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 your insurance coverage - even a basic term plan can give peace of mind for your family.

✅ Spend 30 minutes with your 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 - one conversation can highlight blind spots and solutions you may not see on your own.

✅ Update your CPF and insurance 𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 - a simple step that avoids complications for your loved ones in the future.

✅ 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 towards investing – Small, regular investments (like $100 to $300 monthly) build consistency, which is the real driver of long-term wealth.

Financial clarity isn’t about waiting, it’s about doing. Start with one small action today and you’ll be surprised how much confidence and direction it brings.

What’s one step you can take this week?



Image credits: Mindful Physician Coaching