1. If one uses a regular premium endowment, than do not invest too much or even any bond funds because one's overall portfolio could be too conservative.
2. The policyholder must be willing to stay with the plan for long term.
3. There is no liquidity using regular premium endowment and this has to be taken note of.
4. Select the highest guaranteed maturity benefit, Do not be attracted by the high "non-guaranteed" portion from other company.
5. To get even higher return (at higher risk), use other methods like equity unit trusts.

The following is what I quoted him for non-smoker male age next birthday 33:

Premium: 11,226.90 annually for 20 years.

At maturity at the end of 25 years, the GUARANTEED maturity benefit is $390,000 representating a guaranteed internal rate of return of 3.5%pa. This is regardless of market condition (unless the insurer goes belly up!). There is also a non-guaranteed maturity benefit that depends on the insurer's rate of return.

If the insurer earns 5.25%, the maturity benefit is $390,000+84,729=$474,729. This represents an internal rate of return of 4.71%. Thus the reduction in yield (or the expense ratio) is 0.54% per annum.

If the insurer earns 3.75%, the maturity benefit is $390,000+$7,590=$397,590. This represents an internal rate of return of 3.62%. Thus the reduction in yield (or the expense ratio) is 0.13% per annum.

In this market condition (and likely in the future), it is impossible to obtain such high guaranteed return over a long period of time. Not even Singapore Government Bonds can do it because SGS pays out the coupons which is subjected to reinvestment risk.