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<\/a>TPD CORE is a new TPD benefit offered as an alternative to AIA’s traditional TPD cover. Offering a five-year rate guarantee, the new offer retains the core features of traditional TPD while introducing clearer assessment criteria for certain conditions and is designed to be lower-priced than traditional TPD cover.<\/p>\n
The development of TPD CORE is in response, according to the insurer, to a changing claims landscape. In a statement accompanying the launch of this initiative, AIA notes traditional TPD cover was designed for claims with clear and observable physical impairment. But with conditions such as mental health now accounting for around one-third of TPD claims paid across the industry, and more than $2 billion in annual payouts, it reaffirms traditional TPD is under strain.<\/p>\n
The insurer says TPD Core places greater emphasis on functional impairment and whether a condition has resulted in severe, enduring and permanent disability rather than relying predominantly on diagnosis alone.<\/p>\n
How claims are assessed under TPD CORE<\/strong><\/p>\n For most conditions, AIA says claims are assessed in the same way as traditional TPD.<\/p>\n The difference applies to certain specified conditions, which include mental health conditions and complex conditions including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Fibromyalgia and persistent cognitive and neuro-symptom presentations.<\/p>\n For these specified conditions, TPD CORE applies the following additional eligibility conditions when claiming:<\/p>\n AIA emphasises the additional requirements do not apply to conditions that are not specified conditions, except where a specified condition materially contributes to the disability.<\/p>\n TPD CORE key features<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Key features of TPD CORE include:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Available as Own Occupation or Any Occupation cover<\/p>\n Five-year rate guarantee<\/strong><\/p>\n A notable feature of TPD CORE is the five-year rate guarantee, which aligns with AIA\u2019s Income Protection CORE benefit, and is a direct response to industry frustration over annual premium increases.<\/p>\n The insurer notes that while the guarantee protects against repricing, premiums may still change during this period as a result of factors such as age changes, policy fee increases, government charges, discounts, benefit changes, or a change in premium frequency.<\/p>\n More information including a range TPD CORE resources and full detail is available on AIA\u2019s dedicated TPD CORE portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Priority Protection updates<\/strong><\/p>\n AIA has also made numerous updates across the Priority Protection range, effective from 31 August 2026. Key changes include:<\/p>\n Addressing over-insurance<\/u><\/p>\n Policy fees<\/u><\/p>\n Policy fees are changing for both new business and existing business.<\/p>\n Other Benefit Changes<\/u><\/p>\n There have been a range of changes across definitions, clauses and compliance with some of the key changes including:<\/p>\n Information on the full range of general product updates is available on AIA\u2019s website<\/a>. Advisers can click here<\/a> to access a copy of the new Priority Protection PDS and can click here<\/a> or on the image below for the TPD CORE Disclosure Statement.<\/p>\n See also: AIA Refresh \u2013 Moving Forward While Learning From the Past<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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