*Official* BBCWatcher club

[BBCWatcher]

I mean in the case of withdrawing to a bank account NOT in the brokerage account holder's name, like the abovementioned example of account hijacking.

The scenario described upthread evidently involved account transfer-based fraud, first person to (fake) first person.

 

[EagleToThesSky]

Hi BBC,

Can you help me with the hospitalization insurance in Singapore? I have been delaying the purchase of it as my company coverage is pretty good. With aging, I am thinking maybe it is the time to complete that piece of coverage as I am still relatively healthy now. Delaying it further might cost more later on or limit the coverage due to pre-conditions (Touch wood!)

My questions are:

1. Will you be able to suggest a few products?
2. Is it advisable to go through agents or buy directly online? I feel that I could not trust any agent I know with reasonable confidence.

Thank you!

 

[BBCWatcher]

Can you help me with the hospitalization insurance in Singapore?

Not directly.

I have a "sticky" post about Integrated Shield plans. Have you read that? Most Integrated Shield plans are sold face-to-face, unfortunately.

 

[EagleToThesSky]

Not directly.

I have a "sticky" post about Integrated Shield plans. Have you read that? Most Integrated Shield plans are sold face-to-face, unfortunately.

Thank you, BBC! I will go read it!

 

[EagleToThesSky]

Here are some of the "sticky" posts in this thread:

• Who is BBCWatcher? (Updated July 20, 2025)
• BBCWatcher's Relatively Simple Guide to CPF (Updated June 15, 2025)
• BBCWatcher's Broad Views on Insurance (Updated July 20, 2025)
• BBCWatcher's Favorite Integrated Shield Plans (Updated February 19, 2025)
• BBCWatcher's List of Zero Minimum Balance Bank Accounts (Updated February 19, 2025)
• BBCWatcher's Favorite "Low Worry" Credit and Debit Cards (Updated January 17, 2026)
• BBCWatcher's Simple Summary of Cash Management Techniques
• BBCWatcher's Favorite Long-Term Investment Funds (Updated January 22, 2026)

Hi BBC, the "BBCWatcher's Favorite Integrated Shield Plans" link seems to point to page 132. I tried searching a bit but could not locate it either. Do you have any quick way to find it? Thank you!

 

[BBCWatcher]

Hi BBC, the "BBCWatcher's Favorite Integrated Shield Plans" link seems to point to page 132. I tried searching a bit but could not locate it either. Do you have any quick way to find it? Thank you!

The link works for me. Try this one.

 

[EagleToThesSky]

The link works for me. Try this one.

Thank you, BBC! The new link works. It could be because I changed to show 50 posts per page, instead of system default?

I have read the post. Thank you for the insights. This will definitely help in my chat with the agents.

Thank you!

 

[BBCWatcher]

One of the lesser known corners of CPF is the Matched MediSave Scheme ("MMSS"). The MMSS provides up to $1,000 per year of free matched contributions to MediSave for those who qualify. Details are available here.

This Friday, January 30, 2026, is an excellent date to participate in the MMSS in 2026 for those who qualify. This month is the very first MMSS month. Funds credited to MediSave by January 31 will start earning at least 4.0% p.a. interest from February 1. You'll lose a little bank interest if you deposit funds any earlier, so set a reminder on your smartphone for January 30 if you plan to participate.

 

[BBCWatcher]

A friend of mine had horror story from her 20s. She was an expat finishing a two-year stint in the US and had saved $100,000 in Microsoft shares. One day, she logged into her brokerage account and her balance was gone.

It turned out she was the victim of identity theft. A scammer forged a passport with her ID and used it to open a brokerage and bank account in Thailand. They initiated a transfer of all her shares from the US to Thailand, sold everything and vanished....

In October, 2025, The New York Times published a story about this type of fraud.

There are some things you can do to reduce the risk of account transfer fraud:

• Some brokers, notably Fidelity, offer an account locking feature that blocks account transfers. Enable this feature if available. (Fidelity's is called "Money Transfer Lock." Fidelity is one of the biggest U.S. retirement account custodians.)
• Enable strong two factor authentication (2FA) on the account.
• Avoid accessing your account from Web browsers on desktops and laptops unless you're quite sure they're secure. Mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads, and reputable updated Android phones (such as Google Pixels) are generally more secure. Never access your account from a shared device such as an airport or hotel shared PC.
• Enable all account notification options that could signal unauthorized account activity such as fraudulent account transfers.
• If you have a U.S. credit history, freeze your credit reports with all 3 major bureaus (Equifax, Transunion, and Experian). Credit history freezes will usually prevent someone from opening a new account in your name.
• If you file a U.S. tax return or otherwise interact with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), obtain a PIN to protect your IRS account. That'll help close down one possible source of information for identity theft.

 

[marcoyeo]

I'm in my mid 40s, already meet FRS. My employer contribution is middle of the month. When is a good day of the month to do VHR? Can you share your opinion about VHR? Thks

 

[BBCWatcher]

I'm in my mid 40s, already meet FRS. My employer contribution is middle of the month. When is a good day of the month to do VHR?

If you do it, the day before the last day of the month.

Can you share your opinion about VHR?

I can think of a lot of better ideas, in general. Here are some things to think about:

1. You have about 2 decades until classic retirement age (age 65) and then decades more of retirement at least for planning purposes. Do you really think a 2.5% interest earning account is the best available deal when your investment time horizon is literally decades long? I don't.
2. OA repayment reduces your liquidity for at least the next decade (until age 55). Are you comfortable reducing your liquidity?
3. OA dollars can be invested via the CPF Investment Scheme, but there are fewer investment choices, and they cost more.
4. OA repayment reduces the amount you can redeposit into OA in the future — when that option is potentially more valuable.
5. OA repayment can shield some dollars from creditors and adverse court judgments. In edge cases this asset protection can be useful. However, OA dollars invested via the CPF Investment Scheme are not shielded in this way.
6. Even within CPF you may have higher yielding options. (a) CPF MA earns 4.0% interest, not 2.5%. If you have room below the Basic Healthcare Sum, MediSave may be a better option. Moreover, a Voluntary Contribution to MediSave ("VCMA") often qualifies for tax relief. And a "full" MA (plus SA at or above the Full Retirement Sum) means your OA inflow will be higher. (b) If you will not reach the CPF Annual Limit, a "VC3A" ("all 3 account" Voluntary Contribution) is possible. Some portion of your VC3A will land in your Special Account where it will earn 4.0%, not 2.5%. (c) Depositing dollars in family members' RA, SA, and/or MA may also be more attractive.

 

[BBCWatcher]

Today (January 31) is the last best "CPF Day" for those of you who'd like to add funds to your and/or your qualified family members' CPF account(s). That's because cash credited to CPF accounts today will start earning interest from tomorrow (February 1). Cash credited tomorrow or later will not earn interest for February. Here are some actions you can take if you'd like:

• Add funds to a CPF Special or Retirement Account, sometimes with tax relief or matching funds. This'll boost your monthly retirement income for life (and boost the residual paid to your CPF nominees for any/every age when a residual still applies).
• Add funds to a CPF MediSave Account, sometimes with tax relief or matching funds.
• Make an "all 3 account" Voluntary Contribution ("VC3A"). For example, practically everyone below age 60 who has a CPF Retirement Account is allowed to make a VC3A of at least $3,060. (The CPF Annual Limit is $37,740, but employees in that age bracket are subject to a 34% total contribution rate in 2026, not 37%. That 3% difference equates to $3,060.) If your MA is at the Basic Healthcare Sum and you've set aside at least the Full Retirement Sum in your RA (or at least the Basic Retirement Sum with property pledge/charge), 100% of your VC3A will land in your OA where it'll be liquid. A 2.5% interest earning "on demand" account is attractive for immediate cash needs and for emergency reserve funds — but don't hold too much liquid cash.
• Repay OA used for housing.

For the record, my spouse and I have kept our respective SAs/RAs and MAs maxed out since we're fortunately able to do so, and we plan to continue doing that for the foreseeable future. We find these CPF deposit options at least sufficiently attractive. Moving a bit of cash into OA is currently attractive enough but only for holding "reasonable" amounts of cash. We try to avoid holding excessive cash balances, so we regularly shift any excess funds into low cost, long-term investments.

 

[BBCWatcher]

A stupid question: Will it be advisable to use A12S to replace VWRA/FWRA etc. even for investing with cash? The advantage of A12S is it is in SGD.

For “small” dollar amounts, maybe.

I was suspecting that the cost would be much higher vs VWRA/FWRA, but it seems that it is 0.03% on POEMS. Did they leave any cost out in the below table?

I think it’s 0.10% actually. But that’s quite reasonable.

Or it is due to dividend withholding tax? 30% for A12S vs 15% for VWRA/FWRA?

On the U.S. stocks held by the fund. And that makes the fund somewhat less attractive than otherwise. But it’s still pretty attractive.

I’d also prefer exposure to “emerging” stock markets. A12S is “developed” only.

 

[demoforce1]

For “small” dollar amounts, maybe.

I think it’s 0.10% actually. But that’s quite reasonable.

On the U.S. stocks held by the fund. And that makes the fund somewhat less attractive than otherwise. But it’s still pretty attractive.

I’d also prefer exposure to “emerging” stock markets. A12S is “developed” only.

Will A12S fall under the US estate tax ?

 

[highsulphur]

I'm curious how many Singapore tax residents actually paid US estate duties even though they are technically liable

 

[BBCWatcher]

Will A12S fall under the US estate tax ?

Only if a U.S. person holds it.

 

[BBCWatcher]

I'm curious how many Singapore tax residents actually paid US estate duties even though they are technically liable

Answering your question literally, zero. Living people never pay U.S. estate tax. Their estates do. That might seem like a pedantic point, but it’s not. Money has no value to dead people — a very important aspect of financial planning.

And it’s called estate tax, not estate duty. I think we should use its actual name to aid searchability if nothing else.

 

[highsulphur]

Answering your question literally, zero. Living people never pay U.S. estate tax. Their estates do. That might seem like a pedantic point, but it’s not. Money has no value to dead people — a very important aspect of financial planning.

And it’s called estate tax, not estate duty. I think we should use its actual name to aid searchability if nothing else.

You know what I mean

But OK to indulge you

How many estate of Singapore tax resident actually paid US estate tax?

Can sleep better now?

 

[BBCWatcher]

How many estate of Singapore tax resident actually paid US estate tax?

The IRS published some estate tax statistics several years ago, but they don’t offer that level of detail.