The profit that can be paid to shareholders of the insurance company is limited to a maximum of 1/9th of the value of bonuses allocated to participating policyholders. This means for every $9 distributed to policyholders, a maximum of $1 is distributable to shareholders.
If there is any shortfall in the assets needed to meet the guaranteed benefits of policyholders, the shortfall must be met by shareholders. The insurer must pay the guaranteed benefits even if the participating sub-fund performs badly.
How do you track the performance of your participating policy?
After buying the policy, you will receive an Annual Bonus Update. This will include information about:
The performance of the participating fund and its future outlook;
The bonuses allocated (if any) to your policy for that year.
You will also receive an update of the projected total maturity value for an endowment policy or revised total surrender value for a whole life policy whenever there is a change in the bonuses declared. You can also request for an updated benefit illustration showing illustrations of future non-guaranteed benefits based on the insurer’s latest best estimate of the future performance of the participating fund.