18/05/2026
What happened to CAP (College Assurance Plan)?
CAP pioneered educational pre-need insurance in the Philippines, until it collapsed in the 2000s. It became very popular because it promised parents with an inflation-free savings vehicle that guarantees payment to the school of tuition fees due when the beneficiary of the plan enters college.
The collapse of CAP was the result of a combination of these 3 factors:
đš The deregulation of fees for private colleges and universities in 1992;
đš The Asian financial crisis of 1997; and
đš The enforcement of new rules that measured the value of CAPâs finances and found it severely lacking, which eventually hastened its demise.
Problems started when the Department of Education issued an order that allowed schools to set their own guidelines covering tuition subject to consultations. This caused the tuition's increase by 300 percent from 1990 to 2000. Since CAP offered plans that promised to cover tuition regardless of future increases, the company struggled to keep up with the growing costs.
At the same time, the Asian financial crisis in 1997 greatly affected investments and the economy. Some of CAPâs funds and investments were also reportedly not managed properly, which further weakened the companyâs financial stability. Eventually, CAP no longer had enough reserve funds to sustain all its obligations to planholders.
Eventually, regulatory functions over the insurance industry was transferred from the SEC to the new Insurance Commission, which, along with the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines, was created through RA 9829 in 2009.
CAP was placed under court receivership in December 2005, where it has been ever since. As far as we could tell, payments to claimants have not resumed since 2013.
Because of what happened, many Filipinos lost confidence not only in pre-need plans but also in financial institutions and insurance in general. For many people, it became a painful lesson about the importance of understanding where their money goes and how financial products work.
But because of these events, stronger regulations were later implemented. The Insurance Commission eventually took over as the regulator of pre-need companies to strengthen oversight, improve consumer protection, and help restore public trust in the industry.
Today, the best step is not to avoid planning altogether, but to become more financially informed. Before getting any plan, itâs important to:
⢠understand the companyâs stability and reputation
⢠know the purpose of the product
⢠review your budget and financial goals
⢠build your emergency fund first
⢠seek guidance from someone who can explain your options clearly
Financial planning is not about fearâitâs about preparation, wisdom, and protecting the future you are working hard for today.
If you want to learn basic money management, emergency funds, budgeting, and financial protection, you may schedule a one-on-one session with me as your Associate Financial Coach and Licensed Life Insurance Advisor. â¤ď¸
Source: https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/cap-college-assurance-plan-what-happened-a00289-20220110-lfrm