Policy Servicing

1.       How will my policy be affected after bonus declaration?

          Great Eastern Life Participating Fund

o   The reversionary bonus rates remain unchanged for 2021.

o   The terminal bonus rates on death/TPD remain unchanged for 2021.

o   The terminal bonus rates on maturity or surrender remain unchanged for 2021.

o   Cash bonus rates for cash bonus policies remain unchanged.

Once declared and vested, bonuses are guaranteed and payable in the event of a claim. Future bonuses, including maturity or terminal bonuses, are projected. The actual bonus rates declared in the future may be higher or lower, depending largely on the investment climate and economic conditions.

2.       Why are bonus rates adjusted?

Bonus rates are reviewed annually with consideration of past fund performances as well as the future investment outlook of the fund. The bonus rates may be adjusted up if the past fund performance and future outlook are able to support higher bonus rates. Similarly, the bonus rates may also be adjusted down if the past fund performance and future outlook are unable to support the current bonus rates.

3.        What will be the projected figure when the policy matures?

Policyholders may refer to their policy projections via the Bonus Statement 2021 which will be uploaded to e-Connect by mid-September 2022. The projected values before and after the bonus revision are provided to illustrate the effect of bonus revision on their policies. Otherwise, they can email to wecare-sg@greateasternlife for a copy of the revised projection.

4.       Will there be future adjustment? Will the cuts be restored?

The future bonus rates are not guaranteed and depend on the future investment performance and the medium to long term investment outlook of the fund.  GEL’s investment objective is to provide stable medium to long-term returns on its Par Fund.  It is necessary to take into consideration the market conditions and investment outlook and keep the bonus rates at a level that is sustainable over the medium to long term. 

5.      For Great Eastern Life Participating Fund, since there is no revision in bonus rates, why are the “Illustrated Death Benefit” and “Illustrated Surrender Value” different from the illustrated values in my last year’s bonus statement?

The illustrated values will be different from last year’s bonus statement if your policy is a Whole Life policy and the Life Assured’s Age is between 45 to 79 as the illustrated values are based on the year that is 20 years later from current year.

For example: If your age today is 47, illustrated values this year are based on the year 2042 (20 years later from 2022). In the last year’s bonus statement, your age was 46 and illustrated values are based on the year 2041 (20 years later from 2021).

6.       How are bonus rates determined?

Bonus rates declared are approved by the Board of Directors after written recommendation from the Appointed Actuary. When making recommendation for the amount of bonus to be declared for each policy, the Appointed Actuary has to take into consideration key factors that will affect the surplus available for distribution. These key factors include not only the investment performance and the outlook of the performance of the Par Fund in the medium to long term; they also include the claim experience, expenses, surrenders and lapses. The cumulative effect of past investment performance would be different for different plans, depending on the year of issue and type of plan.

7.        How can I find out more about the bonus rates for my policies?

We will be sending the Bonus Statement for 2021 to all our policyholders by batches between July - September 2022. The statement will give you details of the bonus declared, including the current and past three years’ reversionary bonus rates allocated. The statement will also provide details of the change in the illustrated values if the bonus rate of your policy has been adjusted.

8.       a) My policy does not break-even even after the bonus declaration.

b)The total premiums I have paid for my policy have exceeded the death benefit. Why should I continue my policy?

The Benefit Illustration (BIPS)/ Policy Illustration (PIPS) you received were for the purpose of illustration and are not guaranteed. The actual amount payable either at maturity or upon surrender will depend on the declared bonus rate and maturity / terminal bonus rate. The assumptions used in the calculation of the values are stated on the BIPS/ PIPS.

Insurance is primarily aimed at meeting protection needs. Depending on factors such as age of entry, health loading, plan type and sum assured, some policies may not break-even.

For example: If you buy a policy (e.g. Living Assurance Policy Plus with CRB) at an older age of, say 55, the cost of protection against death, TPD and major illnesses not only increases with age, but also increases at an increasing rate. Hence, for a life assured who is older, a large portion of the premium is utilised to pay for the cost of protection, leaving a smaller portion of the premium for savings purpose. As a result, the surrender value/death benefit of the policy would not be able to “catch up” with the total premiums paid and the policy does not break-even.

9.       Can I withdraw the accumulated bonus?

Once declared, bonuses are guaranteed and are payable in the event of a claim.

We do not encourage you to withdraw the accumulated bonus prematurely. This is because you will be paid only the surrender value of the accumulated bonus. If you have short-term financial needs, you may wish to consider taking a policy loan instead. You can contact our Customer Service Officers at 2233118 for more information on policy loan.

10.     What is the current investment portfolio of the Par Fund?

We will be sending the Bonus Statement for 2021 to all our policyholders by batches between July to September 2022. For policies with Reversionary/Terminal Bonus, you will receive a Par Fund Update for 2021 together with your Statement. The Par Fund Update will give you details on the asset mix of the Par Fund, fund performance and economic outlook.

11.      I have other participating policies that are not reflected in this Bonus Statement. Why is this so?

This Bonus Statement only reflects applicable participating policies that are accorded reversionary and cash bonuses yearly. Non-participating policies are not reflected in the Statement.

For the former, a separate communication will be sent to customers to share on the Par Fund Update for 2021.

12.     Why is “Illustrated Maturity Value” shown for some policies, and “Illustrated Surrender Value” and “Illustrated Death Benefit” shown for others?

For Endowment policies, we will show the “Illustrated Maturity Value”.

For Whole Life policies, we will show the “Illustrated Surrender Value” and “Illustrated Death Benefit” based on the Life Assured’s (LA) Age today as follows:-

o   If LA’s age is below 45 – the illustrated values are based on the year that the LA turns 65.

o   If LA’s age is between 45 to 79 – the illustrated values are based on the year 2042 (20 years later).

o   If LA’s age is above 79 – the illustrated values are based on the year that the LA turns 99.

Please note that Illustration Values exclude Survival Benefit and Cash Bonus, if any. Customers may refer to the original Policy Illustration for these values. You may also go to FPMS LP Query to download the projected values of the policy for your clients.

1. I have lost my policy. How do I get a replacement?
   Come personally to Great Eastern Life’s Head Office with your identification card/passport. Our address is No. 17 & 18, Block B, Bangunan Habza, Simpang 150, Kampong Kiarong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. You will need to complete a Declaration and Indemnity for Loss of Policy Form in the presence of our Customer Care Officer.
   
   A policy replacement charge of $20 will be imposed and the duplicate policy document will be sent to you within 10 working days.
   
   
2. I am residing overseas and have lost my policy. How do I get a replacement?
   You can request for a duplicate policy document by completing a Statutory Declaration for Loss of Policy form.
   
   You have to bring this form to a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public or other officer empowered by law to administer oaths, affirmations or affidavits to make a statutory declaration that your policy document is lost. Then submit this duly signed and witnessed Statutory Declaration for Loss of Policy form to us for processing.
   
   A policy replacement charge of $20 will be imposed and the duplicate policy document will be sent to you within 10 working days.

1. What is Freelook?
   A freelook clause is provided in the policy terms and conditions. It states that the policyholder can cancel the policy under the freelook period within 14 days from receipt of the policy document.
   
   
2. How will I be affected if I cancel my policy during the freelook period?
   Cancelling your policy under Freelook means that the whole policy is cancelled and there is no insurance coverage. If you have gone for a medical examination for the policy, any medical cost incurred will be borne by you.
   
   For Investment-Linked policies, market adjustments will be made and any losses will be borne by you.
   
   
3. What is the procedure for cancelling a policy under Freelook?
   You need to give us a written request and submit it together with the original policy document.

1. At Great Eastern Life Brunei, we advocate a cashless mode of payment and encourage all our Customers to make payments electronically using approved payment methods. Cashless payments offer safe and secured payment alternatives to Customers.
   
   
2. Great Eastern Life Brunei offers you multiple payment methods for your premiums, policy loans repayment which are safe, convenient and hassle-free. Available payment channels include Internet Banking, Cash Deposit Machine, Automatic Teller Machine, Cheque Deposit Machine / Dropbox and Telegraphic Transfer. For details on payment methods available, please refer to the Table: Payment Channels in ANNEX 1 of the guidelines.
   
   

   Bank Payment Channels	SCB	Baiduri	Information Required
   Cash Deposit Machine	✓	X	Policy Number and Amount
   Automatic Teller Machine	✓	X	Policy Number and Amount
   Cheque Dropbox (SCB & Baiduri) Cheque Depositing Machine (Baiduri)	✓	✓	Policy Number, Policyholder Name and Purpose of Payment
   Internet Banking Add A New Biller (SCB) Make A One Time Payment (SCB)	✓	X	Policy Number, Policyholder Name and Purpose of Payment
   Bank Counter	X	✓	Policy Number, Policyholder Name and Purpose of Payment PH can do an Account Transfer to transfer from PH to GE account at SCB or Baiduri counter.
   Standing Instruction (To be set up at bank counter)	✓	✓	Policy Number, Policyholder Name and Purpose of Payment Standing Instruction set up fee is waived for Baiduri account holders.
   Telegraphic Transfer	✓	✓	Policy Number, Policyholder Name and Purpose of Payment

   
   
3. Cash Payment at Great Eastern Service Counters
   
   If you wish to make payments using cash or cheque at Great Eastern service counters, our operating hours are from:
   
   Monday to Thursday (excluding public holidays)
   8.30am to 4.30pm
   
   Friday (excluding public holidays)
   8.30am to 12.00pm
   2.00pm to 4.30pm
   
   Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited
   No 17 & 18, Block B, Bangunan Habza
   Simpang 150, Kampong Kiarong
   Bandar Seri Begawan BE1318
   Negara Brunei Darussalam

APPENDIX 1: TABLE- Payment Channels

We encourage all our Customers to use cashless payment methods which are Safe, Secure, Convenient and Hassle-free.

NOTE: An Official Receipt will be mailed to you directly once your payment has been received and processed by Great Eastern.

1. In what circumstances would a policy lapse? 
       o Premium not paid within grace period
          When the premium is not paid for the policy, and the policy has not acquired any cash value, the
          policy will lapse 30 days after the premium due date.
   
       o If the policy has acquired cash value, an Automatic Premium Loan (APL) will be set up after a 30-day
          grace period. This is provided for in the policy terms and conditions. APL will continue to pay for the
          premiums for as long as there is cash value.
          When the outstanding indebtedness (i.e. APL and APL interest) exceeds the cash value, the policy
          will lapse.
   
       o Taking policy loans against the policy and not making loan repayments may also cause the policy
          to lapse, despite regular premium payment. When the outstanding indebtedness
          (i.e. policy loan and loan interest) exceeds the cash value, the policy will also lapse.
   
   
2. What is Reinstatement?
   Reinstatement is provided for in the policy terms and conditions. It allows the policyholder to continue with the policy, subject to certain terms after the policy has lapsed.
   
   
3. How long from the lapsed date can I still reinstate my policy?
   The reinstatement period depends on the type of policy.
       o For Regular premium policies, reinstatement is within three years from the lapsed date
       o For Term policies, reinstatement is within six months from the lapsed date
       o For Single premium policies, reinstatement is within six months from the lapsed date
   
   
4. What are the requirements for reinstating my policy?
   You need to fill up a Reinstatement Form. Policy reinstatement is subject to satisfactory health underwriting and payment of premiums and interest outstanding from the date of lapse to reinstatement.
   
   Additional form(s) is/are required if your policy has lapsed for more than six months and/or your application for assurance was accepted at other than normal terms. Please attach the Declaration of Health form.

1. What is an Absolute Assignment?
   An absolute Assignment is a transfer of ownership from the Assured (Assignor) to another person or institution (Assignee).
   
   The assignee becomes the new owner of the policy and assumes full legal right over the policy. All proceeds, be it surrender, maturity or claims will be payable to the assignee.
   
   
2. When can I assign my policy?
   You can assign your policy if
   
   1. the policy
      • is allowed to be assigned under the plan
         
   2. both assignor and assignee are
      • at least 21 years old
      • of sound mind
      • not bankrupt
      • not under duress
        
        
3. How can I effect an assignment?
   Both the assignor and assignee must come to our office at No. 17 & 18, Block B, Bangunan Habza, Simpang 150, Kampong Kiarong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, with their Identification Card.
   
   If the assignment is done between spouses, or parent and child, and relationship can be established by producing the marriage certificate or birth certificate, they need not be present at our office.
   
   Please complete the Absolute/Collateral Assignment form. Additional documents required are stated on the overleaf of the form.
   
   
4. Can I assign to a company or institution?
   Yes, you can assign to a company or institution.
   
   Both the assignor and assignee must come to our office at No. 17 & 18, Block B, Bangunan Habza, Simpang 150, Kampong Kiarong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, with their Identification Card.
   
   Please complete the Absolute/Collateral Assignment form. Additional documents required are stated on the overleaf of the form.
   
   For an assignment to a company or institution, a company stamp is required on the assignment form.
   
   
5. Can I cancel/revoke the assignment?
   No. Once absolutely assigned, the policy ownership will belong to the assignee. However, the policy ownership can be transferred back to you provided the assignee agrees to it. A new assignment will need to be done.