New IP Riders 2026: Should I switch to the new Enhanced IncomeShield riders?

Following our previous updates on IP rider changes and the revisions to Income’s shield plans in October 2025, we are back with an update on the new Income shield riders launched on 1 April 2026.

Have a shield plan with another insurer? Read our other shield plan updates here:

• Raffles: A 2026 Update to your Raffles Shield plan and the new Raffles Choice Rider
• Singlife: Singlife Shield & Rider Changes (April 2026): Should You Switch to the New Rider
• HSBC Life: HSBC Life Shield Plan and Rider: The 2026 Guide
• General update on changes: Shield Plan and IP rider changes: This is your 2026 update

Here is what’s new in April 2026:

🛡️ Main shield plan: Changes to Enhanced IncomeShield

1.      Increase in premiums

Enhanced IncomeShield plans will be repriced from 1 April 2026 affecting new purchases and renewals. Premiums will increase by an average of 14% for Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred, 13% for Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage plans, and 7% for the Enhanced IncomeShield Basic plan.

Premiums shown are retrieved on 18 March 2026 for policies issued on standard terms. For illustration purposes only.

2.      Benefit revision

The Pregnancy and Delivery-Related Complications benefit will no longer require the use of a preferred partner for an extended list of conditions. The Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy (CTGTP) benefit has also been updated to include coverage for ancillary treatments.

🛡️Existing Integrated Shield Riders: Deluxe Care and Assist Care riders

Premiums for these existing riders will remain unchanged. Policyholders who purchased their riders between 27 November 2025 to 31 March 2026 will have to transit to the new riders by their first policy renewal after 1 April 2028.

As of 1 April 2026, these riders are no longer be available for new purchases. However, those with a Deluxe Care or Classic Care rider can switch to the new Income IP riders between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2028 without additional underwriting. This rider switch is irreversible.  

🛡️New Integrated Shield Riders: Optima Care rider and Essential Care rider

1.     Optima Care Rider

Introduced on 1 April 2026, here are the key changes for the new Optima Care rider:

• Co-payment and Deductible

One key difference between Optima Care rider and Deluxe Care rider is the co-payment required. While the new Optima Care rider maintains a 5% co-payment for panel providers, this increases to 8% co-payment for extended panel and non-panel providers. The co-payment cap will also increase from $3,000 to $6,000 for the new Optima Care rider. Under the new Optima Care rider, you will also have to pay for the annual deductible required from your policy.

The new Optima Care rider will remove the required additional extended panel and non-panel payment (ENP).

• Benefits

The Optima Care rider also introduces several enhanced benefits, including extended pre- and post-hospitalisation coverage (additional 80 days before admission and after discharge for panel treatment under the Enhanced Advantage plan, and additional 80 days post-discharge for the Enhanced Preferred plan). It also introduces coverage for Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy (CTGTP) treatments not on MOH’s CTGTP list, as well as juvenile benefits for insureds under 18, such as a one-time autism testing benefit and a critical care payout. There is no change to the cancer drug limits benefit when compared to the Deluxe Care rider.

• Premiums

The new Optima Care Rider offers up to 54% lower premiums when compared to the Deluxe Care rider. The biggest premium saving is seen when Optima Care rider is attached to Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage or Basic plans, with premium savings averaging 46%.

Premiums shown are retrieved on 18 March 2026 for policies issued on standard terms. For illustration purposes only.

2.     Essential Care Rider

Introduced on 1 April 2026, here are the key changes for the new Essential Care rider:

• Co-payment

Similar to the Deluxe-to-Optima transition, moving from the Classic Care Rider to the Essential Care Rider means accepting a higher annual co-payment limit ($6,000 vs. $3,000). However, the Essential Care Rider rewards you for using Panel doctors by dropping the base co-payment rate to 7% (down from the Classic Care's flat 10%). Co-payment for extended and non-panel providers will remain at 10%.

Under the new Essential Care rider, you will have to pay for the annual deductible required from your policy. However, the additional extended panel and non-panel payment (up to $2,000) will no longer apply.

• Benefit

Essential Care rider introduces coverage for Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy (CTGTP) treatments not on MOH’s CTGTP list. There is no change to the cancer drug limits benefit when compared to the Classic Care rider.

• Premiums

The largest premium savings are seen when the Essential Care rider is attached to Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage or Basic plans with premium savings averaging 49%.

Premiums shown are retrieved on 18 March 2026 for policies issued on standard terms. For illustration purposes only.

Should I make the switch to the new Income IP riders? This is what we think.

1.     I have a Deluxe Care Rider, should I switch to Optima Care Rider?

The Optima Care rider offers additional benefits not in Deluxe Care rider. This includes extended pre- and post-hospitalisation coverage, coverage for CTGTP treatments not on MOH’s list, and juvenile benefits for insureds under 18, including a one-time autism test and critical care payout.

However, the new Optima Care rider requires an annual deductible, resulting in consistently higher out-of-pocket costs compared to the Deluxe Care rider.

Our recommendation: Stay on Deluxe Care Rider

Annual deductibles range from $1,500 to $3,500. Under the Deluxe Care rider, out-of-pocket costs are capped at $3,000 for panel providers and $5,000 for Extended Panel providers. In comparison, the new Optima Care rider may result in out-of-pocket costs of up to $9,500.

While switching to Optima Care rider offers average premium savings of 23% (Preferred plan) and 46% (Advantage or Basic plans), the absolute savings are relatively modest. For example, a 65-year-old can save 45% of premiums (around $600 annually) by switching from Deluxe Care to Optima Care rider. However, in the event of a hospitalisation in a Class A ward or private hospital, the maximum out-of-pocket cost could increase from $3,000 to $9,500  (assuming treatment by a panel specialist).

Given the significantly higher financial exposure, we recommend retaining the Deluxe Care rider for better protection against large hospital bills.

2.     Should I switch from my Classic Care Rider to Essential Care Rider?

The Essential Care rider introduces a lower 7% co-payment for panel treatments (down from a flat 10%). However, this reduction in co-payment does little with the co-payment cap increasing to $6,000 and the annual deductible now required.

Essential Care rider also offers significantly reduced premiums, with an average of 49% savings for those on public hospital Class A or B1 ward plans (Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage or Basic). For private hospital plan holders (Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred), switching to Essential Care provides an average 24% savings on the rider.

Our recommendation:

• Private hospital users (Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred): Stay on Classic Care Rider

While premiums are lower for the new Essential Care rider, it offers limited additional benefits when compared to the Classic Care rider. Its main enhancements are coverage for non-MOH listed CTGTP and a reduced 7% co-payment when using panel providers. However, this offers limited practical value due to the higher $6,000 co-payment cap and the introduction of an annual deductible.

Although switching to the Essential Care rider yields an average premium saving of 24%, the absolute savings are typically lower than the additional $3,000 co-payment required. Given the higher cost of private hospital bills, retaining the lower out-of-pocket cap under the Classic Care rider remains the safer financial choice for now.

• Public hospital users (Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage or Basic): Consider carefully

Premiums are significantly lower for public hospital plans, offering an average 49% savings for those on public hospital Class A or B1 ward plans (Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage or Basic). As public hospital bills are generally lower, the risk of hitting the $9,500 maximum out-of-pocket limit may be lower.

However, policyholders should weigh these savings against the higher out-of-pocket risk and ensure they are comfortable with the trade-off before switching to the Essential Care rider.

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