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Protection gaps · 2 of 4

The gap everyone under-insures: alive, but unable to work again

TPD cover is usually set equal to the death benefit — which quietly ignores that in disability you’re still here, with care costs and a home to modify on top of the lost income. That’s why the TPD gap is usually the bigger one.

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TPD = total and permanent disability (policy definitions vary — typically permanent inability to work, or loss of use of two limbs/eyes). Benchmark: the same MoneySense 9× income as death — but TPD adds what death doesn’t: ongoing care and home modification, because you’re still here. Care figures are your editable estimates.

TPD gap — usually bigger than the death gapS$620,000

Need S$870,000 (income benchmark S$648,000 + care S$192,000 + home mods) minus S$250,000 of cover and savings

Income benchmarkS$648,000
Care cost (10 yrs)S$192,000
Cover + savingsS$250,000
S$620,000 short if you survive but can’t work againTPD usually rides on a life policy for little extra premium — but the sum insured is often set equal to the death benefit, which ignores care costs entirely. Compare the layers with the death gap and CI gap.

A planning screen from the MoneySense benchmark plus your own care estimates — not advice. TPD definitions, exclusion of partial disability, expiry ages and rider structures differ by policy; care costs vary hugely with the level of disability. A licensed adviser matches the definition and sum to your actual situation.

TPD is a definitions game

Free and no obligation — an adviser can help you:

  • 'Any occupation' vs 'own occupation' TPD pay very differently — check which yours is
  • Most TPD cover expires at 65–70; plan what takes over after
  • Size the care layer realistically — helper, day care or nursing home change the number by multiples
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