Why SRS is my instrument of choice for retirement in Singapore

Among the many financial concerns shared by my clients, a recurring one revolves around tax payments and the underutilization of the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) as a reliable wealth accumulation tool. SRS often remains misconstrued, much like CPF Life, voluntary contributions, and various other government policies.

The SRS is hailed as a blessing by those well-acquainted with its workings, yet dubbed a dubious scheme by the uninitiated, primarily due to its withdrawal taxation and penalties for premature access.

Aside from the fact that I do not contribute to CPFOA and CPFSA as a self-employed person and hence cannot fully rely on CPFOA for retirement, no other retirement strategy offers the same benefits as the SRS. I can only speak for Singaporeans who believe in the benefits of retiring in their 60s, are prudent in their finances and wish to retire comfortably and SUSTAINABLY in their retirement years.

1. Maximizing Tax Benefits has the same results as Profit

In the realm of Economics 101, taxes are deemed a deadweight loss. Reducing tax liabilities essentially translates to being compensated by the taxman for staying invested. While some may see this solely as tax relief, I consider this a 7-20% return over my “investment” in the SRS over a span of less than 6 months (from Dec to Apr). Whatever i chose to do with the SRS funds after that, be it investing or buying a product, is a bonus.

Before embarking on SRS, I considered my overall income and existing reliefs, including CPF contributions and Qualifying Child relief, which significantly impacts my taxable income.

  • In general, only those with TAXABLE INCOME about 40k should consider SRS (abv 40k you save 7 cents for every SRS dollar, above 80k you save 11.5 cents for every SRS$, above 120k you save 15 cents for every SRS$, that’s 7%, 11.5% and 15% gain)

 

A common mistake by SRS rookies is that they don’t factor in their existing reliefs, which can go up to 80k. If liquidity is your first concern in SRS contributions, consider these FIRST to gauge your taxable income.

IRAS provides a handy excel sheet to estimate your taxes. If you do not know what to fill in, refer to your previous year tax documents.

https://www.iras.gov.sg/media/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/xls/tax-calculator—residents_ya21.xls?sfvrsn=69840356_6

2. Strategic Tax-Free or Tax-Minimal Withdrawal

You can avoid paying taxes on your SRS withdrawals with some careful planning. There’s no free lunch on the world, but if you really plan carefully, SRS can really be a free lunch.

Navigating SRS withdrawals demands meticulous planning to minimize tax burdens but can also ensure that SRS is a good complement to your CPF-Life or annuities. Withdrawals post the statutory retirement age of 63 are subjected to a 50% concessionary tax rate. Understanding this provision is critical for devising tax-efficient withdrawal strategies.

If i am a 55yo now looking to retire at 65yo, a CPF Life standard plan loaded with FRS (do ERS if you can afford to) will give $1620 monthly. I am able to double my living expenses with SRS withdrawals of $1667 monthly for the next 10 years and still pay no taxes.

Now that’s a free lunch if you ask me.

3. A piggy bank you can break IF you REALLY need to

Unlike buying long term endowment plans, or a property, a SRS retirement fund invested in a well diversified portfolio that gives superior long term returns and provides for liquidity is the best of both worlds.

I personally had SRS monies disbursed back to my bank account (minus a 5% penalty but i still benefited from a 17% tax reduction the year before) in 2021 when times were harder. No additional taxes were paid, well because times were harder. I couldn’t say for certain that I would have that money for a rainy day if it was in liquid cash. I would probably have used the cash to buy a new car or motorcycle.

The SRS, while serving as a robust financial safety net, maintains a balance by penalizing premature withdrawals, aligning with its core purpose. However, certain situations, such as death, medical incapacity, or financial bankruptcy, warrant exemptions or reduced penalties.

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