What images appear in your mind when you think of the word “retirement”? Are they images of you enjoying your golden age with your loved ones; or are they images of you worrying and still hustling to provide for yourself? Or is it a daunting topic that you would not want to even think about it?
Whether one chooses to think about it or not, retirement is a fact of life, and it will come one day. Singapore is one of the most expensive cities to live in. It was reported in a 2016 Channel NewsAsia article that 1 in 3 Singapore working adults are not planning for their retirement according to a survey done by Nielsen.
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In this article, we examine some of the challenges of retirement planning in Singapore. We hope that it would provide some tips & suggestions to help you plan your retirement journey.
Main Types of retirement challenges
There are typically 2 main types of retirement planning challenges that one may face. The first type being those that affect or prevents from starting or doing their retirement; while the second type being factors that may affect one’s retirement planning after he/she has started. We will look at some of these challenges as follows:
1st Challenge: Inadequate financial resources
Having inadequate financial resources is one of the main reasons that prevents people from starting retirement planning.
Many a time, it is common that one may have other commitments and immediate priorities to attend to, and they end up not having enough money to set aside to plan for their retirement after they have paid for their expenses, bills & utilities. In some cases, there are also some with debts issues; with problem repaying debts obligations; or having a lifestyle that is beyond their means and over-leveraging on credit & future money.
To overcome this challenge, one can adopt and practise good money management habits and budgeting. Working with a trusted & competent financial practitioner for cashflow management and financial planning is also a good way to manage this challenge.
With this, it will prevent one from overspending and allow one to allocate resources to start their retirement planning. For those with debt issues, it will be good to seek financial counselling to reduce or pay off these debts as soon as possible.
2nd Challenge: Lack of knowledge & lack of trust in the financial planning sector
In the same survey conducted by Nielsen, 40% of the group (the 1 in 3 that has not started on retirement planning) stated the lack of understanding of available options for retirement planning as a reason for not starting their retirement planning; and another 25% of the group mentioned that they do not know how much is needed and when to start.
In another Straits Times article, it was reported that Singaporeans are consistently ranked in the bottom three among 19 markets on their know-how and confidence in financial their financial strategy according to a poll. It was also reported that 72% of the respondents do not know whom to trust for advice.
Retirement planning is indeed not a simple topic, and it requires extensive planning, knowledge and competency. One can overcome this challenge if he has the sense of responsibility and interest to research further. Information is readily available via financial institutions or on trusted web platform such as Moneysense.
However, the best option would always be to consult a trusted financial practitioner who would be qualified to prepare for a seamless retirement planning process & journey.
3rd Challenge: Young Blood
At times, we hear remarks such as: "I am a fresh graduate who has just started work, and I am too young for retirement planning" or "It is too late for me to start retirement planning". Regardless of age, retirement will come one day, and it is better for one to be prepared for it.
Everyone can take some retirement-related action. To overcome this challenge, one can start to practise good money management habits and budgeting. Beginning with an end in mind for their retirement nest, one can then take some action steps toward their retirement savings and planning.
A new worker or fresh graduate may have lesser financial resources, but they can start by saving/investing a smaller amount. For those who start later, they can save and invest prudently and start to plan towards their retirement as well.
4th Challenge: Reliance on Government/ Family
People may have the perception that they can rely on government or family for their retirement planning.
According to a Today's article, it was reported that "a majority of those surveyed said the responsibility of taking care of older people in society lies with one's family and the Government" according to a poll by the by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).
While it is good that the Singapore government has some initiatives, schemes and programs to help Singaporeans with their retirement, one should evaluate whether these arrangements are enough for themselves, and what they should do for their own retirement to complement the various government schemes and initiatives. By relying on family or children, it may increase pressure on family or children and cause potential tension and conflict.
Everyone is unique; retirement is an individual responsibility. It will be good to do retirement planning with a trusted and competent financial practitioner and to evaluate the arrangement and action steps.
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5th Challenge: Longevity
According to the Straits Times, Singaporeans are living longer. It was reported that “Singapore's life expectancy at birth has risen from 59 to 80 years in males, and 63 to 85 years in females from 1960 to 2015.” It was also reported that Singaporean have an average life expectancy of 85.4 years in the year 2040 according to a study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).
With a longer lifespan, one may be faced with health and medical issues that may threaten to deplete their savings; and one may have the challenge of outliving their retirement fund and financial resources.
6th Challenge: Rising health and medical cost
With longer life expectancy, there will be a greater need and demand for health care. Rising medical cost and medical inflation may threaten to deplete one’s retirement savings and funds faster than expected when one is seriously ill. It was reported in a Channel NewsAsia article that Singapore is ranked high on medical inflation in Asia.
Thus, it will be important for one to have adequate medical and health insurance, as well as long-term care/disability insurance to manage this challenge, so as not to have their retirement plans and fund being affected.
7th Challenge: Underestimation of expenses/ Miscalculation of retirement needs
There may also be a tendency of people underestimating their spending. Post-retirement expenses may rise instead of falling.
In retirement, every day is a non-working day, and people may tend to spend more on things like eating out, entertainment or travels, just like during their weekends and off days while they were working.
8th Challenge: Inflation Risk
The inflation rate is an important factor in the calculation of one's retirement needs, and inflation reduces the value of one's money. $10,000 today will not buy you $10,000 worth of goods in the future during retirement.
Inflation rates fluctuate, so it is important to keep track of inflation rate to prevent underestimation or miscalculation of one's retirement fund.
Hence, it is important to have regular reviews of one's retirement plan; and to have contingency plans like insurance.
Having regular reviews ensure that one's retirement plan and funds are up to date and minimise the impacts of the above challenges. Having contingency arrangement like insurance plan helps to minimise the impacts of unforeseen circumstances and situations, and to protect one's financial wellbeing and minimise the impact of medical and healthcare cost & treatment.
In conclusion, retirement is an important reality for everyone. I hope this article draws your attention and awareness on the various challenges of retirement planning in Singapore, and that you can apply the various tips and suggestions shared above to overcome these challenges.
This is an IFPAS X Asia Advisers Network collaboration.
This article originally appeared in Tuesday Times, an online publication by IFPAS.
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