FWD Singapore and IPP Financial Advisers Aim to Raise S$1 Million for Distribution to NGOs

As part of IPP’s Celebrate 40th, for every critical illness or term policy sold by an IPP adviser from now to 30 June 2023, S$100 will be jointly donated by FWD Singapore and IPP Financial Advisers to NGOs including Special Olympics Asia Pacific

FWD Singapore Pte. Ltd. (“FWD”) is partnering with IPP Financial Advisers (“IPP”) to raise S$1 million for selected non-government organisations (“NGOs”) with the aim of inspiring change through financial planning.

From now to 30 June 2023, FWD and IPP will jointly donate S$100 for every critical illness or term protection policy sold by an IPP adviser. The initiative is part of a year-long slate of community-centered activities as IPP celebrates 40 years in the trade. The first of several would-be NGO recipients is Special Olympics Asia Pacific. Through donations, FWD seeks to enrich the lives of over 24,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

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Adrian Vincent, General Manager for FWD Singapore Life Business, said, “Insurance and solid financial planning can help empower lives and uplift communities. Partnering with IPP is an extension of our company’s overall mission to inspire positive change. By working with IPP advisers to encourage critical illness or term insurance coverage, we hope to close the protection gap for Singapore residents, while helping the people with special needs. We hope to add more NGOs to the roster of beneficiaries in the near future.”

According to the Protection Gap Study 2017 by Life Insurance Association, the combined protection gap for mortality and critical illness in Singapore is S$893 billion; with the average Singaporean lacking 80% in overall critical illness protection needs. “I find no better way to celebrate IPP’s 40th birthday than to help those in need of financial assistance,” said Wee Tiong Howe, Chairman of IPP. “In a recent town hall with over 300 financial advisers in attendance, I asked my team to get as many prospective clients covered, particularly in critical illness and term insurance. I also told my financial advisers to make community care a part of their career mission.”

Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programmes, every day, around the world, to end discrimination; and empower people with intellectual disabilities. In the Asia-Pacific region, Special Olympics has touched the lives of more than 2.1 million athletes with intellectual disabilities across 35 countries, including Singapore. 

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Through its Athlete Leadership programme, Special Olympics helps athletes with intellectual disabilities develop leadership skills, enabling them to become advocates for inclusion. Two such athlete leaders in Singapore are Hanako Sawayama and Salihin Bin Nawi.

Born in Japan and having lived in Singapore for more than 30 years, Hanako, age 45, an administrative coordinator with Special Olympics Asia Pacific, shared her story: “I believe that even as someone with Down syndrome, I experience the same hopes and dreams as anyone else. When I was young, I was constantly bullied by my schoolmates – it was a traumatic time for me. However, I decided to focus on exceling in the things I do best. Since 1991, I’ve been representing Singapore in Special Olympics events around the world; winning medals in swimming and bowling. I also travel the globe and headline opening speeches to large audiences as part of my ambassador duties. I’m glad that more athletes like myself will get the chance to participate and forge new friendships through this initiative with IPP and FWD.” 

24-year-old Salihin, is a Special Olympics Singapore athlete leader. As a baby, Salihin was diagnosed with intellectual disability; he also had difficulty walking. A life-saving surgery resolved his mobility issues. When Salihin turned seven, his father passed away, leaving his mother, a cleaner, the sole breadwinner in a family of seven children. The following year, Salihin was transferred to a special school where he was assigned a social worker who would help him speak and write. “My life changed when I won a medal for running in a Special Olympics competition,” said Salihin. “Since then, I’ve mastered floorball and took part in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, winning a silver medal for Singapore. As an ambassador, I help athletes learn new sporting skills. Over the last five years, I’ve held the position of part-time supervisor at a chain restaurant where I oversee shifts. I hope that more beneficiaries will get to experience such life-changing moments like myself with the support from IPP and FWD.”

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