Aliyawanders

Imagine this. One day, you lose your ability to work—not because you want to, but because of total and permanent disability or a critical illness. What happens then?

The company you gave your blood, sweat, and tears for? They won’t be around for long. It’s not personal; it’s just how things work. And your commitments? The house you thought would be yours, the car loan, the monthly bills, even the basics—food, water, electricity… who’s paying for all that now?

I know, I know. The moment a Takaful or insurance agent starts talking about this, some of you immediately shut down. You feel like we’re always focusing on worst-case scenarios, like we’re hoping for bad things to happen.

But that’s not it. At all.

This is about risk management.

Why? Because we’ve seen it happen. And let me tell you—watching it unfold even once is already too much. Seeing a family struggle overnight because they weren’t prepared? Watching someone lose everything they worked for because life threw them an unexpected curveball? It’s heartbreaking. And it’s real.

So if talking about this makes me the bad guy? Then fine. I’ll be the bad guy.

Because I’d rather be the one who reminds you now than the one who has to say, “I’m so sorry” when it’s too late.

If you’re still here, that means you’re open to hearing me out. And I appreciate that.

So let’s talk.

What is income replacement, really?

It’s not just another financial term. It’s a lifeline. It’s making sure that if something unexpected happens—Total Permanent Disability, Critical Illness, or even a coma—you’re not left stranded. You have a financial cushion to fall back on. A ready amount that keeps you going, covering your needs without having to panic about where the money will come from.

Now, do I have some one-size-fits-all solution? Nope. Because that doesn’t exist.

Everyone’s situation is different. That’s why the best approach is for us to meet up—no obligation to sign up, just a consultation..

Your commitments? Different from mine. Your dreams for your future? Different from mine. That’s why my job isn’t to sell you something—it’s to sit down with you, understand your situation, and help you figure out what actually makes sense for you.

But here’s the general rule of thumb:

If you’re single, you should aim for a plan that can cover your needs for at least 20 years. If you have kids, the ideal scenario is to have coverage until your youngest child finishes their tertiary education. And if you really want to plan smart, factor in inflation—because let’s be real, RM1 today won’t stretch as far 10, 15, or 20 years from now.

It’s not about paranoia. It’s about being prepared.

If you’re still with me, let’s get real for a second.

Factoring in inflation is a wake-up call. Because when you actually crunch the numbers, the amount you’d need to sustain yourself long-term often looks completely out of reach.

Say you need RM5,000 a month to cover your basics—nothing fancy, just necessities. Now, let’s say yesterday (because in our world, we say “yesterday” instead of “tomorrow” so it doesn’t sound like we’re hoping for bad things to happen), you suddenly lost your ability to work. Who’s handing you that RM5,000 now?

If you need that same RM5,000 a month for the next 20 years,

without even factoring in inflation, that’s RM1.2 million.

Now, if we do consider a 5% annual inflation rate, you’d actually need closer to RM2 million to maintain the same standard of living.

Yeah. It’s a big number.

So, let’s be honest. Not everyone has RM1.2 million, let alone RM2 million, sitting in their savings or investments, ready to go. If you do, then great—your risk is covered (for now). But if you don’t? Then what’s the plan?

Because the bills won’t wait. The expenses won’t pause. Life keeps going, whether you’re able to work or not.

And that’s exactly why income replacement exists. Not to scare you. Not to push a product. But to make sure that if life throws you a curveball, you already have a safety net in place.

Insurance (or Takaful) is the only financial tool that can give you a huge sum of money in exchange for a relatively small monthly or annual commitment. No savings account, no fixed deposit, no investment can match that.

And in Takaful, it’s not just about protecting yourself—it’s about helping each other. That’s why we don’t call it a “premium”; instead, there’s an element called Tabarru—an Arabic word meaning donation. When you sign up, you’re contributing to a fund that exists to support others in times of need. And in return, when you need it, that same fund is there to support you. It’s a system built on mutual care, not just individual gain.

Now, I get it. RM2 million? RM1 million? Those numbers can feel intimidating.

That’s why I always tell my clients: start small.

Pick a monthly or annual commitment that you know you can sustain long-term. Don’t worry about getting the perfect coverage right away. It’s okay to start where you’re comfortable. As your finances improve, you can increase your coverage.

Yes, it’s true that the cost will go up as you age—because factors like age, health, occupation, and lifestyle risks all affect the rate. But trust me, it’s better to start small and stay consistent than to commit to an expensive plan now, struggle to maintain it, and eventually let it go.

This isn’t about overwhelming yourself. It’s about making sure that, even if something happens yesterday, you’re not left without a plan.

If you’ve made it this far, I know you’re at least thinking about it. And that’s a great first step.

If you’re in Malaysia and want to explore your options, I’m here for you.

For those in Klang Valley, we can meet up for a chat—no obligations, just a conversation—a real conversation about what you need and what makes sense for your situation. If you’re outside Klang Valley or prefer to keep things online, we can always schedule a virtual session. Whatever works best for you.

Just reach out at +6012 223 1623, or click here to message me on WhatsApp. Let’s talk!

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