The management committees of the Central Fund and the Family Protection Fund have passed resolutions that members' monthly contribution rates for both Funds will remain unchanged in the coming 24 months, starting from July 1 until June 30, 2010. For Central Fund members, their monthly contribution rate maintains at $48.4 per month and Family Protection Fund members, $50 per month.

With the PS&SR Branch securing a new 24-month insurance contract, members of the two Funds are able to benefit from the following same level of protection offered by the Funds:

(A) $500,000 for life insurance, regardless of the cause of death

(B) $500,000 for total & permanent disability, and

(C) maximum $500,000 accidental dismemberment benefit on:

-- permanent total loss of sight of both eyes $500,000

-- loss or permanent total loss of use of two limbs $500,000

-- permanent total loss of sight of one eye $250,000

-- loss or permanent total loss of use of one limb $250,000

Apart from the above benefits, members can also enjoy the following additional insurance coverage offered by the new contract during the contract period from July 1, this year to June 30, 2010:

(D) Terminal Illness Benefit

-- If a member is certified to be suffering from terminal illness and is highly likely to die within six months on medical evidence, an advance of 50 per cent of the Life Insurance (that is $250,000) up to a maximum of $300,000 may be made to the member. Upon the death of that insured member, the amount insured less the advanced payment will be paid to his designated beneficiary.

-- the insurance company will cover those who have been diagnosed as terminally ill on or after July 1, this year regardless of whether the sickness was incurred prior to or after the policy effective date.

(E) Total Disability Extended Life Benefit

-- On the date of termination of his Fund membership, if a member becomes totally and permanently disabled, which prevents him from engaging in any and every gainful occupation due to accident or sickness and provided that no dismemberment benefit has been paid to him before, his life insurance of $500,000 shall be extended, with no premium payment, for not more than 12 months after termination of his Fund's membership.

(F) Accidental Dismemberment Benefits

-- removal of lower jaw (max $500,000)

-- permanent loss of speech (max $500,000)

-- complete and permanent deafness of both ears (max $500,000) / one ear (max $150,000)

-- total paralysis of particular nerve of upper or lower limb (max $225,000)

-- loss of or permanent total loss of use of fingers or thumb (max $225,000)

-- loss of or permanent total loss of use of toes (max $125,000)

-- fractured leg or patella with established non-union (max $50,000)

-- shortening of lower limb (max $150,000)

-- major burn with third degree burn of 25% body surface (max $250,000)

If more than one of the above injuries is applicable, the sum of those amounts shall not exceed $500,000. Details of the scale of compensation will be posted on PS&SR Branch website in due course.

Report on Change of Personal Particulars & Beneficiary

Fund members are reminded to report changes of personal particulars and that of beneficiary to the Secretariats of the respective Funds. Failure to do so will create unnecessary delay in disbursement of compensation and even legal implications rendering claim becoming void. Members wishing to update their personal particulars, including that of the beneficiary, need to complete a "Notification of Changes in Personnel Particulars" which can be obtained from the Secretariat of the respective Funds (telephone hotline 2860-3242) or downloaded from PS&SR Branch website. Duly completed form can be returned to the Secretariat of the respective Funds either by mail to PS&SR Branch, 38/F., Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, No.1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai or by fax to 2200-4334.

Enquiries can be made to the Secretariat of the respective Funds at 2860-3242.