Retirement Tips

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Here’s a guide to when you should start planning for your retirement and the instruments to invest in

We often hear that it’s never too early to start planning for retirement and that, ideally, we should start saving for it in our early 20s. But how many of us really considered retirement planning that early in our career, when it felt like life was just beginning and the world was ours for the taking?

If you feel you may have put off retirement planning for too long, there are still ways to catch up. As the Chinese proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

What’s life like when your career no longer takes centrestage?

Most people look forward to retiring and pursuing their passions and interests, especially if they are financially comfortable enough to enjoy their second act.

Take 68-year-old Mrs. L. Ho, a former director at an insurance brokerage who retired 10 years ago, for example. She leads an interesting life and keeps herself busy with gardening, giving free tuition, conducting cooking classes at church, and taking language and ukulele lessons.

“We perform at church events and entertain the old folks in nearby homes like Ju Eng Home for Senior Citizens,” she says. “I also travel at least twice a year, of which one trip is to a farther destination like Eastern Europe or Alaska. My travel is less hurried and I can afford to go on cruises, which are relaxing.”

Similarly, 62-year-old Mr. K. C. Wong, who used to run a business with his wife, also feels happier now that he has successfully retired. He says, “There is no pressure; I feel carefree and relaxed and can do whatever I want.”

Planning for a successful retirement

If that sounds like a life worth looking forward to, planning early for retirement is essential.

Estimates for the recommended amount you should set aside for retirement vary, depending on your current age, lifestyle and luxuries you wish to enjoy post-retirement.

The good news is that you don’t always have to save for your retirement in cold hard cash. You can also choose to put your money in investments, insurance plans and retirement plans, which allow your money to work for you, or at the very least, keep up with inflation rates.

For Ho and Wong, planning for retirement meant investing their money in different, but equally successful ways.

Wong says, “I looked into retirement planning in my early 40s. I mainly put my savings in fixed deposit accounts and also bought property.”

Ho and her husband put their money into stocks, property and insurance policies that they cashed out when their children were grown up. For the couple, planning ahead has been instrumental to their post-retirement financial stability.

“We can see the benefits of early retirement planning – we are financially very comfortable and have enough liquid assets to travel,” says Ho. “We have even contributed to our children’s first homes. We have been able to afford a helper, which frees up time for us to do volunteer work, which is very fulfilling.”

Perhaps it’s time for you to think about how you want to approach your golden years.

Ready to start? Talk to our financial advisors today. Get in touch with us.

Alternatively, log onto Mobile Banking or Online Banking to chat with us and we will help to connect you to a financial advisor.

This article is for general information only and it does not constitute an offer, recommendation or solicitation to enter into any transaction. This article has not been prepared for any particular person or class of persons and it has been prepared without regard to the specific investment or insurance objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any person. You should seek advice from a licensed or an exempt financial adviser on the suitability of a product for you, taking into account these factors before making a commitment to purchase any product. In the event that you choose not to seek advice from a licensed or an exempt financial adviser, you should carefully consider whether the product is suitable for you. You are fully responsible for your investment decision, including whether the the investment is suitable for you. The products/services involved are not principal-protected and you may lose all or part of your original investment amount.
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