I REFER to the CPF Life annuity, a new scheme that provides a lifelong income for the elderly in their retirement.
As retirees, my wife and I have been happy to receive our individual lifelong monthly annuity since 2005.
We felt our decision in 2000 to use our CPF money to buy our annuities under the CPF Minimum Sum scheme from two different insurance companies was correct.
My wife's annuity is with NTUC Income.
We like its consistency, both in its policy and in the annuity payment into our POSB account on the 25th of every month with a variation of one to three days earlier or later if there is a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.
NTUC Income has also informed my wife of two annual increments in her monthly annuity. We certainly appreciate it.
My Prudential annuity policy has assured me payment would be on the 10th of every month.
Instead of Prudential, Standard Chartered Bank has sent me 35 payee advice notes telling me Prudential has instructed it to pay the monthly annuity into my POSB account on irregular dates.
Ten months with two payments, 15 months with one payment and the other 10 months with no payment at all.
I thank Standard Chartered for faithfully updating me what Prudential has instructed them to do in all these 35 months.
Prudential has apologised to me for taking longer than expected to review my feedback as it requires more time to look into enhancing the process.
After four reminders and three years of still waiting - and perhaps there are other similar annuity policy holders out there - doesn't Prudential have a moral obligation to reconcile its annuity policy which promises payment on the same date every month with its instruction to Standard Chartered to make the monthly payment to my bank on irregular dates?
