What to Know About the Dependants’ Protection Scheme in 2025: A Guide to Premiums, Coverage & Eligibility

With Singapore's aging population becoming more dependent on family members and health challenges growing more prevalent among young adults, having a financial safety net is now a necessity in an increasingly unpredictable time. 

Designed to provide a straightforward financial foundation, the Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS), a term life insurance package offered by CPF, might just be the answer we’re looking for. Here is what you should know about DPS—and how it can help protect your family financially from unforeseen health events.

Guide to Dependants' Protection Scheme (2025)

1. 1. What is the Dependants’ Protection Scheme?
   2. Am I covered under DPS?
   3. Who is eligible for DPS?
   4. How much do DPS premiums cost?
   5. I'm still young. Do I really need DPS?
   6. OK, but is DPS mandatory?
   7. What if I don't have enough in my CPF to pay?
   8. Can I get a higher payout?
   9. Can I make DPS claims via the CPF nomination scheme?
   10. So, how to make a claim for DPS?
   11. Can I nominate a beneficiary for DPS?
   12. What about other insurance options?
   13. Final words

1. What is the Dependants’ Protection Scheme?

As one of Singapore's most accessible and affordable life insurance plans, DPS provides a solid first line of protection, especially for new families, or those just starting out their financial journey. If you're a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident (PRs) and a CPF member, you’re automatically covered for a sum of up to $70,000 unless you choose to opt out. 

The payout is available in the unfortunate event of your own death, terminal illness, or total permanent disability. It's also a cost-effective option for most CPF members, with the yearly premiums deducted directly from your CPF Ordinary or Special Account.

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2. Am I covered under DPS?

To check your coverage status, the simplest way is to log in to your CPF account with Singpass and head to the "Providing for your loved ones" dashboard. Under the "Term life insurance" tab, you'll be able to see key details about your coverage, including:

• Your coverage status: Confirms if your policy is active.
• Your insurer: Since 2021, all DPS policies have been with Great Eastern Life. This dashboard is where you can verify your coverage status.
• Your premium history: You can see which months your premiums were deducted.

Furthermore, you can check your yearly CPF Statement of Account, which will show the total amount of premiums deducted for DPS during the year. If you don't have a Singpass account, you can apply for one on the Singpass website.

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3. Who is eligible for DPS?

Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents aged between 21 and 65 are automatically enrolled in DPS upon making their first valid CPF contribution. Typically, within five working days of your first contribution, you will receive a welcome package from Great Eastern Life. 

This includes: 

• A letter of notification 

This letter confirms your automatic enrollment into the scheme.

• Policy details

It will outline your coverage, including the sum assured (e.g., S$70,000 for members up to age 60), the annual premium amount, and the terms and conditions of the policy.

• A health declaration form

This is a key part of the package. 

While the enrollment is automatic, the policy's validity is subjected to your health status at the time of commencement. You are required to complete the form to truthfully declare any pre-existing health conditions. This is to ensure the scheme remains viable and premiums can be kept affordable for all members.

• Information on how to opt out 

The package also contains information and the necessary form to opt out of the scheme should you wish to be not covered.

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4. How much do DPS premiums cost?

The annual premium payable will be based on your age. Here's how the premiums are tiered:

Source: Great Eastern Life 

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5. I'm still young. Do I really need DPS?

It’s easy to think when you’re in your prime, paying annual premiums for a DPS policy seems a bit redundant. However, from age 30, DPS starts to become much more valuable. 

That’s the age when people begin settling down, getting married, having kids—and when your parents start retiring and depending on you. If you were to pass away or become permanently disabled in your 30s or 40s, it could put a huge financial strain on several people. The DPS scheme provides a financial cushion with that $70,000 payout for your loved ones. 

Of course, that payout isn’t going to be enough for your dependents to live on forever. But it can be a huge help with short-term expenses while they cope with your loss. 

Our advice? Get the policy—especially since it’s a good deal!

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6. OK, but is DPS mandatory?

As mentioned before, one good thing about the Dependants’ Protection Scheme is that you don't have to keep it all the way. 

Since DPS premiums increase as you get older, opting out can be a good way to save CPF funds for retirement if you feel you already have sufficient coverage. You can end your policy at any time by contacting your issuer or Great Eastern Life to fill out the opt-out form. Before you terminate your policy, it's worth reviewing the scheme's core benefits. 

But before you decide to do so, consider these benefits: :

Keeping your DPS coverage

• Keeping a DPS policy offers a security blanket for you and your family. If you opt out and decide to rejoin later, your new coverage would be subject to a new health declaration—meaning you might not be eligible if your health condition has changed (e.g. new medical conditions). 

For those with financial dependents 

Also, you should consider whether you have dependents who rely on your income. You may not need it if:

• Your dependents have reached adulthood and are financially self-sufficient 
• You have enough CPF or private savings. These can be passed directly to your dependents to provide financial support in the event of an unexpected death.
• You already have a private term or life insurance that provides plenty of coverage to support your family. 

(For example: a 30-year-old could get a term life policy with $1M in coverage from a provider (Singlife, Manulife, or AIA) for around $50/ month. This kind of private coverage would make the $70,000 benefit less essential)

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7. What if I don't have enough in my CPF to pay?

A key benefit of the DPS is the ability to pay premiums directly from your CPF savings, with annual costs starting from as low as S$18. However, what happens if there are insufficient funds in your CPF account to cover the premium deduction?"

Don't worry, the policy won't lapse immediately.

If the premium deduction is unsuccessful, Great Eastern Life will notify you. Your policy will then enter a grace period of 60 days—during which you can pay the premium in cash to ensure your coverage continues without any disruption. Should you be unable to pay the premium within this period, one of two scenarios will happen:

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8. Can I get a higher payout? 

No, you can’t alter the $70,000 payout amount. 

However, you can supplement your coverage with a separate term life insurance policy, which is worth considering if you have significant obligations like a home/ car loan or mortgage and personal debt. 

Term insurance policies work similarly to DPS, except you can choose the amount of payout you want, and your premiums will be adjusted correspondingly. 

Below are several examples of competitive term insurance: 

Source:MoneySmart

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9. Can I make DPS claims via the CPF nomination scheme?

No, you can't. While it's easy to get the Dependants’ Protection Scheme and the CPF nomination scheme confused, they are completely separate matters.

Think of it this way— CPF claims handles all the money saved in your CPF accounts, while your DPS nomination handles the payout from your life insurance policy.  

Here’s a breakdown of the two: 

Source: MoneySmart

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10. So, how to make a claim for DPS?

To make a claim, a proper claimant (such as a family member or the insured member themselves) must submit an application directly to Great Eastern Life with: 

• Certified to have passed away
• Diagnosed with a terminal illness
• Diagnosed with total permanent disability 

Take note that claims arising out of suicide, self-inflicted injury, criminal offences or intentional acts will not be covered. See full terms and conditions on the CPF Dependants’ Protection Scheme page. 

If your loved one has passed away and you aren’t sure if he/she’s covered under DPS, you can email [email protected], or check with your respective DPS insurer.

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11. Can I nominate a beneficiary for DPS?

Yes you can—and you should do so. Usually, a DPS payout does not follow your CPF nomination. Without a separate, revocable nomination, the funds could be delayed by legal processes and may not go to the people you intended to help. 

The process, which can be completed from age 18 onwards. This ensures the payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiary without any legal fuss—providing them with immediate financial support to tide through the difficult period. 

Here’s a quick guide on how to do so: 

Get the form

The first thing you need is the official DPS nomination form. You can get this by:

• Downloading the "Revocable Nomination" form from the Great Eastern Life website.
• Emailing them at [email protected] to request a copy.
• Calling their customer service hotline at +65 6839 4565.

Fill it out and get it witnessed

You'll need to fill in your personal details and those of your chosen nominee(s). This includes their full name, NRIC number, and the share of the payout you want each person to receive. The total share must add up to 100%.

Crucially, the form must be signed in the presence of two witnesses:

• They must be at least 21 years old.
• They cannot be a nominee themselves or the spouse of a nominee.

Submit 

Once the form is fully completed, you'll need to mail the original hardcopy to Great Eastern Life. 

Note: A scanned or digital copy will not be accepted. The nomination takes effect only when they receive and process the form. You can also check/ update your nomination status anytime on the Great Eastern Life anytime website or app. 

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12. What about other insurance options? 

While the Dependants' Protection Scheme (DPS) provides a great, affordable starting point for life insurance, it's a basic plan with limitations. When comparing, it's important to understand how DPS compares to other comprehensive life insurance plans: 

Endowment Plan

Think of endowment plans as a hybrid that blends life insurance with your savings account. While it provides some coverage for unexpected events, its main purpose is to help you save money over a fixed period, guaranteeing your principal plus bonuses when the plan matures. However, it's equally important to understand the potential downsides: 

Lack of liquidity 

As a long-term commitment, your money is locked in for the entire policy term, which can range from 10 to 25 years or more.

• If you ever need to withdraw your funds early, you'll likely get back a surrender value that is less than the total premiums you've paid, resulting in a potentially hefty loss.

Lower Returns

While endowment plans provide a guaranteed return, their overall returns can be lower compared to other investment vehicles.

• Your non-guaranteed bonuses depend heavily on the insurer's investment performance. In a prolonged period of low market returns, these bonuses may be reduced or even non-existent. 

Over a long term, the total return may not be enough to beat inflation. Your overall purchasing power decreases.

Whole Life Insurance Plan

Unlike other plans, a whole life insurance plan is designed to cover you for your entire life. 

It offers comprehensive protection (including critical illness), and it builds up cash value and bonuses that you can use later on, making it a source of security and long-term savings. However, the main trade-off is the hefty prices on premiums, which can be 10 to 20 times higher than a pure term plan or DPS. 

Example

For a 30-year-old with $500,000 in coverage, a whole life plan could cost anywhere from $6,000 to over $10,000 per year! While it provides valuable lifelong security, it’s important to consider if the high cost aligns with your current budget and other financial priorities.

To compare more plans, check out our Guide to Best Life Insurances in Singapore.

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13. Final words 

Life’s full of unexpected twists. It's always good to have a backup plan. For those starting out on their financial journey, the Dependants’ Protection Scheme offers a solid foundation that cushions the bills for your family  during major health/life events (e.g. death, terminal illness, permanent disability). 

By taking the time to understand your coverage, make a proper nomination, and evaluate if it’s sufficient for your family’s needs, you can start building a trustworthy safety net that better meets your long-term financial goals.

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