Retirement, the one you think you know about, is not really about money

What or when exactly is retirement? Every age group you ask will tell you a different answer. However, every insurance agent that talks to you about buying savings plan will always point you towards retiring at 65 years old or beyond.
The insurance agent is right. Very little of the people around you, will retire at 35/40/45/50/55. Unless they belong to the dinkwad category (dual income no kids with/wo a dog) or hit the crypto jackpot in 2020 (maybe they lost it already by now).
  • CPF Board explains it simply as 3 CPF Life plans, each aiming to give you a modest amount of money enough for a basic (ie crappy) standard of living with the option to cater for inheritance or longevity. In 2019, they said $1379 is enough for most Singaporeans aged 65 and older. If you are the type who think government is always right, i would say good luck.

 

  • The FIRE movement (Financial independence, retire early) explains it as saving, no, scrounging enough money such that you are able to live off a modest amount of investments for very long. We now all know that COVID put out that FIRE. FIRE is not sustainable. Can we expect our life to have minimal liabilities moving forward? A growing family willing to live in austerity too?

 

  • Another similar financial trend says that by accumulating a certain amount of money, you can withdraw 4-5% of it annually as your living expenses and it would last about 30 years. This concept is more sound, but it also advises you to start withdrawing it at 65. The more your living expenses are, the harder it is to accumulate that amount of money.
The above retirement concepts emphasizes on having enough money now. The truth is all of us reading this will never have that sum of money until we are in the sunset of our careers with some luck. Since we cannot have that amount of money now, then we can only focus on what we have now in abundance, which is our mind. Or more specifically, having the correct mindset towards retirement.
Before we can start to plan our retirement, we need to cultivate the correct mindset. Lets address the common mindset failures.
  • If you are thinking of leaving your job, ask yourself WHY. Are you quitting to leave a nasty boss you didn’t dare to stand up to? Or are you quitting to find a better employment set up that works for BOTH you and your employer. 
  • If you are thinking of going all-in into a crypto investment your friend introduced to you, ask yourself WHY. Are you investing with knowledge of the risk to get high return? Or are you just impatient to get rich.
  • If you are telling yourself you don’t need to spend unnecessary money on insurance, ask yourself WHY. Do you really think you will be healthy forever? Or you are just too complacent to admit that you cannot foresee the future.
We do stupid things every day in our life, because we reacted to some emotion/ego and did not ask ourself WHY. Any of the above scenarios could easily screw up your retirement. And everyday people make these mistakes, with the excuse that they did it because they wanted to be successful, retire earlier, or knew better than others.  
If your mindset is correct, retirement is a definition that is crafted by you. Not the finfluencers, not your insurance agent, and not even Cambridge Dictionary.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, retirement is “the point at which someone stops working, esp. because of having reached a particular age or because of ill health, or the period in someone’s life after the person has stopped working”.
Wow imagine having to work until you became too unwell to work.  
Now lets talk about some examples of having the correct mindset:
  • You are considering to leave a job because it doesn’t pay you well enough to stop juggling driving grab and going to office.

 

  • You left a job because you found something that promotes flexible hours, remote working so that you can care for your child even though it pays lesser.

 

  • You invested abit of money in crypto, because it is something you can gain knowledge about with potential upside, and understand your risk tolerance better.

 

  • You bought medical health insurance as a start because you know health fails with age, with the consideration to buy more coverage in the future if your family expands.

 

  • You agreed to speak to a representative from an independent FA, at the risk of angering your friend who insures your whole family because you want to find out if your current financial situation can be improved.

 

  • You foresee yourself working until 65 or beyond, because you have enough financial resources to downgrade if needed while still putting your time in something meaningful, staving off dementia and earning a humble allowance
You can walk away from perceived failures and losses in your life if you think like the above.

Talk to someone you think who can help you find out what your own definition of retirement may be.

 

#chooseindependent
#coachinggoals
#finallypostedthis

Important: The information and opinions in this article are for general information purposes only. They should not be relied on as professional financial advice. Readers should seek independent financial advice that is customised to their specific financial objectives, situations & needs. This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Published By:

Shannon Choo

In my previous corporate career, I was a Client account manager and led an operations team. In 2019, I joined a top Insurer to challenge myself and learn the ropes at roadshows. Eventually I embarked on a full-fledged career in Financial Planning by joining an Independent Financial Advisory, which allows me to fully act in my client’s best interests with the full suite of financial instruments at my disposal. 

I hold professional certifications in commercial and personal General Insurance, all levels of health and life insurance, investment instruments such as Mutual funds, and Islamic estate planning and Will Writing. 

Today, my clients come from all walks of life. Senior corporate executives seeking early retirement, young adults buying their first policies for their families,  and Human Resource managers looking to insure their employees. 

I provide fee-based services to advise on all aspects of financial planning, as well as manage long-term investment and insurance portfolios for clients. 

CONTACT US

Contact Me

What type of services are you looking for? 请问您需要咨询哪些方面的服务?(Please select all that applies)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By submitting this form, I confirm that

提交此表格,即表示

  • I have read and understood FAPL’s Personal Data Policy, and hereby give my acknowledgement and consent to FAPL to use my personal data in accordance with FAPL’s Personal Data Policy.
  • 我已阅读并理解鑫盟理财私人有限公司的个人数据保护政策,并同意鑫盟理财私人有限公司根据个人数据保护政策所阐述的用途使用我的个人资料。
  • I have read and understood the disclaimers above and hereby affirm my acceptance of these terms.
  • 我已阅读并理解了上述免责声明,特此声明接受这些条款。
  • I have not been directly contacted or approached by any representative or employee of FAPL with an offer or solicitation to apply for any financial products not offered in my home country.
  • 鑫盟理财私人有限公司的代表或员工并未直接与我联系或提出要约或招揽购买我原居住国境内所不提供的任何金融产品.
  • Financial Alliance Pte Ltd ( “FAPL”) is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) and allowed to conduct financial advisory activities in accordance with the Financial Advisers Act (Cap. 110) (“FAA”) and the Securities & Futures Act (Cap. 289) (“SFA”) within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Singapore and in accordance with the licenses granted by MAS
  • 鑫盟理财私人有限公司( “鑫盟理财”)持有由新加坡金融管理局(“MAS”)所颁发的牌照,并许可在新加坡共和国境内依据财务顾问法(第110章)和证券与期货交易法(第289章)进行财务咨询等相关业务
  • Any services provided by FAPL to persons not ordinarily resident in Singapore are provided solely on an offshore basis from Singapore, resulting from direct enquiry on the part of the foreign residents.
  • 鑫盟理财为非新加坡居民所提供的任何服务仅限于直接向鑫盟理财发出咨询请求的国外居民。
  • As an integral part of the provision of such services, FAPL may from time to time make available to such residents, documents and information making reference to capital markets products (for example, in connection with the provision of fund management or investment advisory services outside of the foreign jurisdiction).
  • 作为提供此类服务的一部分,鑫盟理财会不时向此类咨询者提供有关产品的参考文件和信息(例如,关于海外司法管辖区以外的资金管理或投资咨询服务等信息)。
  • Such documents and information are provided by Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) is for general information only and is not intended for anyone other than the recipient.
  • 此类由鑫盟理财所提供的文件和信息仅供收件人做一般信息参考。
  • It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person.
  • 此类文件和信息不会把-个人投资目标,财务状况或其特定需求等考虑在内。
  • It does not constitute the making available of, or an offer or solicitation by FAPL to buy or sell or subscribe for any such capital markets product or to enter into a transaction or to participate in any particular trading or investment strategy nor an advice or a recommendation with respect to such financial products.
  • 鑫盟理财向该人士提供此类文件和信息将不构成要约或招揽购买或出售或认购任何此类资本市场产品,或达成交易或参与任何特定的投资策略,也不构成有关此类金融产品的建议或推荐。
  • These documents may not be published, circulated, reproduced or distributed in whole or in part to any other person without FAPL’s prior written consent.
  • 未经鑫盟理财的事先书面同意,不得将这些文件全文或部分发布,传播,复制或分发给其他人。
  • This document is not intended for distribution to, publication or use by any person in any jurisdiction, where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to applicable law or would subject FAPL and its related corporations, connected persons, associated persons and/or affiliates to any registration, licensing or other requirements within such jurisdiction.
  • 鑫盟理财无意在分发,出版或使用此类文件可能违反当地法律,或本公司及关联公司或关联人士需要注册,获得许可或符合规定的司法权区向当地人士分发、出版此类文件或供其使用。
  • You shall ensure that you have and will continue to be fully compliant with all applicable laws in your home country when entering into discussion or contracts with FAPL.
  • 在与鑫盟理财进行讨论或签订合约时,您应确保您已完全遵守并将继续遵守您所在原居住国的所有适用法律及条规。

In compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act, Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) seek your consent to collect and use your personal data (e.g. name, NRIC, contact numbers, mailing addresses, email addresses and photograph) for the purposes of and in accordance with FAPL’s Data Protection Policy, which can be found on FAPL’s website at https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

根据《个人数据保护法》,鑫盟理财私人有限公司征求您的同意向您收集并使用您的个人信息。鑫盟理财将根据公司的个人数据保护政策所阐述的用途使用您的个人资料(例如姓名,证件号码,联系电话,邮寄地址,电邮地址和照片)。 该政策可在本公司网站上查寻,网址为 https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

By submitting this form, you are deemed to have read and understood FAPL’s Personal Data Policy.

提交此表格,即表示您已阅读并理解鑫盟理财私人有限公司的个人数据政策

Scan for Contact Details

Join our newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on our latest content!

By providing the info below, I confirm that I am the user and/or subscriber of the telephone number(s) and email address provided by me and I consent to receive from Financial Alliance and/or its financial adviser representatives, any marketing, advertising and promotional information organise by Financial Alliance via voice calls, SMS/MMS (text messages) or faxes to my telephone number(s) provided below. I understand I may withdraw any consent I have given at any time by writing in to Financial Alliance Pte Ltd.

Scan for WeChat QR

Retirement Planning

Will I be able to retire comfortably?

Contact Me

What type of services are you looking for? 请问您需要咨询哪些方面的服务?(Please select all that applies)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By submitting this form, I confirm that

提交此表格,即表示

  • I have read and understood FAPL’s Personal Data Policy, and hereby give my acknowledgement and consent to FAPL to use my personal data in accordance with FAPL’s Personal Data Policy.
  • 我已阅读并理解鑫盟理财私人有限公司的个人数据保护政策,并同意鑫盟理财私人有限公司根据个人数据保护政策所阐述的用途使用我的个人资料。
  • I have read and understood the disclaimers above and hereby affirm my acceptance of these terms.
  • 我已阅读并理解了上述免责声明,特此声明接受这些条款。
  • I have not been directly contacted or approached by any representative or employee of FAPL with an offer or solicitation to apply for any financial products not offered in my home country.
  • 鑫盟理财私人有限公司的代表或员工并未直接与我联系或提出要约或招揽购买我原居住国境内所不提供的任何金融产品.
  • Financial Alliance Pte Ltd ( “FAPL”) is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) and allowed to conduct financial advisory activities in accordance with the Financial Advisers Act (Cap. 110) (“FAA”) and the Securities & Futures Act (Cap. 289) (“SFA”) within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Singapore and in accordance with the licenses granted by MAS
  • 鑫盟理财私人有限公司( “鑫盟理财”)持有由新加坡金融管理局(“MAS”)所颁发的牌照,并许可在新加坡共和国境内依据财务顾问法(第110章)和证券与期货交易法(第289章)进行财务咨询等相关业务
  • Any services provided by FAPL to persons not ordinarily resident in Singapore are provided solely on an offshore basis from Singapore, resulting from direct enquiry on the part of the foreign residents.
  • 鑫盟理财为非新加坡居民所提供的任何服务仅限于直接向鑫盟理财发出咨询请求的国外居民。
  • As an integral part of the provision of such services, FAPL may from time to time make available to such residents, documents and information making reference to capital markets products (for example, in connection with the provision of fund management or investment advisory services outside of the foreign jurisdiction).
  • 作为提供此类服务的一部分,鑫盟理财会不时向此类咨询者提供有关产品的参考文件和信息(例如,关于海外司法管辖区以外的资金管理或投资咨询服务等信息)。
  • Such documents and information are provided by Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) is for general information only and is not intended for anyone other than the recipient.
  • 此类由鑫盟理财所提供的文件和信息仅供收件人做一般信息参考。
  • It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person.
  • 此类文件和信息不会把-个人投资目标,财务状况或其特定需求等考虑在内。
  • It does not constitute the making available of, or an offer or solicitation by FAPL to buy or sell or subscribe for any such capital markets product or to enter into a transaction or to participate in any particular trading or investment strategy nor an advice or a recommendation with respect to such financial products.
  • 鑫盟理财向该人士提供此类文件和信息将不构成要约或招揽购买或出售或认购任何此类资本市场产品,或达成交易或参与任何特定的投资策略,也不构成有关此类金融产品的建议或推荐。
  • These documents may not be published, circulated, reproduced or distributed in whole or in part to any other person without FAPL’s prior written consent.
  • 未经鑫盟理财的事先书面同意,不得将这些文件全文或部分发布,传播,复制或分发给其他人。
  • This document is not intended for distribution to, publication or use by any person in any jurisdiction, where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to applicable law or would subject FAPL and its related corporations, connected persons, associated persons and/or affiliates to any registration, licensing or other requirements within such jurisdiction.
  • 鑫盟理财无意在分发,出版或使用此类文件可能违反当地法律,或本公司及关联公司或关联人士需要注册,获得许可或符合规定的司法权区向当地人士分发、出版此类文件或供其使用。
  • You shall ensure that you have and will continue to be fully compliant with all applicable laws in your home country when entering into discussion or contracts with FAPL.
  • 在与鑫盟理财进行讨论或签订合约时,您应确保您已完全遵守并将继续遵守您所在原居住国的所有适用法律及条规。

In compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act, Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) seek your consent to collect and use your personal data (e.g. name, NRIC, contact numbers, mailing addresses, email addresses and photograph) for the purposes of and in accordance with FAPL’s Data Protection Policy, which can be found on FAPL’s website at https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

根据《个人数据保护法》,鑫盟理财私人有限公司征求您的同意向您收集并使用您的个人信息。鑫盟理财将根据公司的个人数据保护政策所阐述的用途使用您的个人资料(例如姓名,证件号码,联系电话,邮寄地址,电邮地址和照片)。 该政策可在本公司网站上查寻,网址为 https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

By submitting this form, you are deemed to have read and understood FAPL’s Personal Data Policy.

提交此表格,即表示您已阅读并理解鑫盟理财私人有限公司的个人数据政策