by S BIRRUNTHA / pic by TMR FILE

THE National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) has launched a new look of the Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) I-Plus product dubbed ‘Simpan SSPN Plus’ where education savings are combined with the benefits of takaful protection.

Its CEO Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid (picture) said with the new product, depositors have more options as it is now working with three takaful operators, namely Hong Leong MSIG Takaful Bhd, Great Eastern Takaful Bhd and Takaful Ikhlas Family Bhd.

He noted that the launch of this product is timely and in line with PTPTN’s Strategic Plan to manage savings funds effectively based on excellent governance, integrity and strategy. 

“This also allows the community to continue to save for higher education purposes, in addition to enjoying more privileges and benefits.

“We believe that parents are the mainstay in realising their children’s aspirations and PTPTN continues to help realise that dream,” he said at a virtual launch of the product on Friday.

Ahmad Dasuki added that PTPTN is always committed and proactive in transforming the minds of the Malaysian community to cultivate a culture of saving among parents at an early age for the purpose of higher education, thus reducing dependence on education loans.

He said the goal is in line with PTPTN’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 through its first strategic thrust, which is to make SSPN as the main product in terms of education savings in Malaysia.

He added that ‘Simpan SSPN Plus’ is a very competitive and unique product as education savings are combined with the benefits of takaful protection.

“It is indeed the best among other education savings plans on the market with a choice of six attractive affordable packages,” Ahmad Dasuki added. 

Depositors will get takaful coverage of up to RM1.2 million, terminal illness up to RM200,000, funeral arrangements up to RM10,000, outpatient treatment due to accidents up to RM3,000 and coverage up to the depositor’s age of 69 years. 

Elaborating further, Ahmad Dasuki said the ‘Simpan SSPN Plus’ product has various existing benefits such as competitive dividends, tax assessment relief of up to RM8,000, and shariah-compliant savings which is guaranteed by the government.

“Additionally, there are more than 690,000 SSPN-i Plus accounts with a deposit value of RM752 million so far. 

“Therefore, in conjunction with the launch of the new ‘Simpan SSPN Plus’ product, the SSPN-i product was also given a new look in terms of logo and product name to ‘Simpan SSPN Prime’ by maintaining the existing privileges and benefits,” he noted.

Ahmad Dasuki said with the new image, the existing SSPN-i Plus product will be known as ‘Simpan SSPN Plus’ and the existing SSPN-i will be known as ‘Simpan SSPN Prime’.

Apart from that, online facilities are also provided to offer the best and easiest service to customers, in which they can visit www.lovesspn.com website for online transactions and the opening of ‘Simpan SSPN Plus’ account without having to go to the counter. 

For more information, the public can visit https://www.ptptn.gov.my/hubung-ptptn.

In conjunction with the launch of the new product, PTPTN had also come up with a WOW Draw! Save SSPN Plus 2021 initiative.

The lucky draw which now runs until Dec 31 offers various prizes worth almost RM320,000 for 221 winners.