Discussion on Retirement For Older Gay + Life @ 50, 68 & Beyond + Retire With No Worries (Compiled)

[Guest Guest]

Great idea!

But a little too idealistic. Gay community tightly knitted? I doubt so. When you put gay men together, they will either lust after one another or bitch about one another. Even an all-Christian environment is not as closely knitted as most people may have perceived.

Right on the spot. I left the gay church group cause more than half are going after the same cute guy and some are pretty obvious about it and leave the rest totally out ,gays are just a bunch of bitch ....and of course those cute guy enjoys those attention instead of really being religious ....

[Guest Findependent]

Hope I would be able to trade and be financially independent when I hit 50.

Save up enough capital and learn trading strategies/market movement asap. Then able to do live and real trades and gain experience b4 retire by 50.

[Saccarin]

It is definitely possible to retire early but it must be planned from young so that there us an ultimate goal. I have stopped working for a year and in that year i have travelled and spending probably only half of that time in singapore.

I feel healthy and happy and fortunate i am able to do this since i dont have mouths to feed.

It is important to have passive income to cover your expenses and also make certain adjustments to your lifestyle to live within that. But i think it is important to not put urself through hardship and severe scrimping. You gotta live well else why even retire.

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

I think millions of Singaporeans will die prematurely due to excessive work load,debts,loans and stress etc before they can even contemplate retirement.

We all can dream...

Like the fayths in Final Fantasy X.

Guan Ying Ma say can eat more 大头菜 and 发多一点白日梦 so we can continue to slumber and dream more.

Retirement...

Hah chee!

What a joke.

[IkuTube]

It is definitely possible to retire early but it must be planned from young so that there us an ultimate goal.

It is important to have passive income to cover your expenses and also make certain adjustments to your lifestyle to live within that. But i think it is important to not put urself through hardship and severe scrimping. You gotta live well else why even retire.

 

That are the keywords (bold and underline).

 

Like Saccarin, I believe that it is possible to retire early.  Looking back at my timeline, I believe it has to do with me fighting against my own fear growing up.  However, do note that overcoming fear alone does not guarantee the success.  One must have the drive to know one's goals in life.

 

When I was in my late 20s, I took the plunge to buy a private property and to take a short term mortgage.  I always believe that mortgage should not be stretched at its max.  However, importantly, one must have the means to pay and not overly taxed on lifestyle.  Somehow, when there is a committment, it is also natural that one's lifestyle will just adapt to the conditions and situation.  Also, always be on the lookout to re-mortgage.

 

Property, in general, appreciates.  I sold my property when it had given me good profits.  I decided to 'downgrade' to HDB but buying a larger unit to prepare myself to further downgrade should I need to in future.

 

At all time, one must always let money to make money.  Have it invested so that there is always income.

[muddywill]

Best case scenario is to retire until you can't work anymore. Nothing beats finding a job and a purpose that you love.

[gstc82]

Now!

[Guest]

I start to plan at the age 40 to retire...

At age 45 official retire due to family issue.

 

I think it take a lot of guts and determination to "shave off" the want and focus on the basis need.

 

Friends and social circle reduce to 2 pax - my lover and best friend.

 

Cut down entertain bill from $250 to $50, from other like telecommunication ($150 to $59), membership($1xx to $0), insurance ($220 to $0), and entertainment eg Haircut ($250 to $10).

 

Somehow I got nightmare and sleepless night of "unnecessary worries" - how to survive....bcz I never experience before.

 

Sell away electronic gadget, collection watch, branded clothing and bags - about S$2.5K

 

Rent out my common room.

 

Cut down brew coffe to packet kopi o.

 

Cut down breakfast to Kopitiam set $2 daily.

 

Drink plenty of H2O instead of fruit juice and drink.

 

Wear black T-shirt and short daily

 

At home - shirtless with underwear.

 

Cut down travelling to alternate day to weekend.

 

Hope that will help.

 

ps : I more healthy then before...tks to water and less food intake...from 75kg to 59kg and more alive.

 

Detail and determination characteristic or personality. Do we need to "torture" our life style ?

Yes i hold up my hand up for you. Define your need and want was the key issue and gut up your fear.

 

I love money so i will desperately work for it.

 

I love sex so i will determine to hunt for it.

 

i love gadget so i will want it

 

i love h2o so i will need it.

 

am i right, friday - You are a good mentor, whoever know you - or being your friend is definitely benefit from you.

[Firday]

Diamond, so you can tell your difference in need and want therefore i m sure you know your path.

 

Not exactly truth, whoever know me also run away from me due to their need and want.

[lonelyglobe]

50 is actually quite an ideal age, i won't use the word retirement but "starting next phrase in life". Say you have 30 years more and you need 70% of your current income, say about 2k. This amount can drastically reduce to 1.5k if we go somewhere else eg thailand. 50 is also when you can apply for the retirement visa there. That will leave you $500 spare cash (can also use to pay your home loan if necessary) If you have a 3 room flat, that can easily rent out 2k the minimum. If you have other source of passive income even better. CPF + your saving (hopefully there is) will form your last defence line. The main key is to manage your expectations and what activities you are likely to engage in to pass time.

[Guest helloo]

Hello lonelyglobe

I have the same idea as u so coincided

Great mind think alike

[Guest 26]

26 currently earning 9000 a month excluding bonus. Want to retire 35!

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

26 currently earning 9000 a month excluding bonus. Want to retire 35!

My uncle earn that between 1997-2003

Now in 2014 at age 49 he is living in a 3 room flat as a bankrupt when previously he was staying in Wellington heights.

Go figure.

Stories like these are common in Singapore.

When is it your turn baby?

I just don't like people flaunting wealth in my face

Edited April 9, 2014 by Raiden Alpha

[cublover]

When I passed my final year examinations and graduated in the early 1990s, I had less than 3 weeks of free time before I start work on 2 May as my undergraduate course comes with a compulsory bond with the civil service.

 

Of course, I spent time resting, catching up on lost sleep, reading chess books and magazines, watching movies with eating out with friends, and lazing around.  Instead of having a really great time going for overseas holidays which most of my classmates did, I was already spending some time to think and plan for my future retirement during that 2 to 3 weeks before I started my working career.

 

I did such early planning because being a PLU, I knew that I can never get married, have a family or children.  Unlike my parents, I will not have children to take care of me (physically and financially)  in my aging years.  As the prevailing retirement age at the time was 60 years old, I was thinking that it would be nice to retire at age 55. 

 

I was under the incorrect impression that the physical and mental condition of a person during the 60s would have deteriorated to an extent that he would not be able to optimally perform his routine activities.  As such, I choose the age of 55 to retire as I thought I should be in a physically and mentally fit condition to enjoy the rewards of hard work of 30 years of employment when I can finally allocate time for myself.  I don’t want to work hard and save up and then be unable to enjoy the pleasures of life during my golden years when the pains and body aches set in.

 

Of course, now I know that my previous perception was incorrect as there are many people in their 60s and 70s who are still physically and medical fit and still able to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.  Besides retirement planning, I have also thought about protection for myself and my parents, in the event that I am physically disabled, inflicted with a terminal illness or die from any catastrophic event.

 

My retirement plan then was to save at least one million dollars before I retire (excluding funds in CPF funds – which will be used only for medical expenses and payment for premiums for insurance policies).

 

Being only 25 years old and inexperienced then, I did not fully appreciate the full effects and important impact of inflation on retirement planning.  My naïve thoughts then was to have provision of $3,000 per month for my expenses for about 30 years.  This works out to be $1,080,000 as the initial retirement fund.  I plan for savings of $1M  as I thought  the bank interest and/or returns from investment will provide for the shortfall of $80,000 as I gradually draw down the capital sum for my monthly expenses.  I also thought that the extra yearly amount from interest/investment returns will probably be able to take care of inflation and any additional funds that I may need if I live beyond age 85.

 

That $1M retirement fund is on top of my plans to have a fully paid home (I plan for a HDB flat then) and various insurance policies, which are  Protection for death (to provide for my parents), for partial or permanent disablility, for loss of income (if you cannot perform work for your profession), for medical and hospitalisation, for daily income while in hospitalisation due to sickness or accidents, and for contracting critical/terminal illness.  Because of the effects of inflation, I now know that $1M for retirement at age 55 is not sufficient for retirement.

 

I was fortunate as my eldest sister was an insurance agent with AIA and she provided me with this financial education and information that are important in the process of retirement planning.  I am so thankful to her who made me realise the importance of protection with insurance, even in the early phase of one’s working career.

 

As my starting pay was only $1,910 in the civil service in the early 1990s, the task of saving $1M, on top of saving for a house, looks daunting.  As I only have 30 years of working life before my target retirement age of 55, I will have to save around $2,800 a month.

 

I was, of course, aware that I will not be able to save up that amount in my early working years in the civil service and that I will be able to catch up and make up for the shortfall and save more in the later years when my future employment income increases.

 

However, my next pay increment on 2 November of my first working year was only $160 (6 months later only after because I have served 2.5 years of national service), I knew that the only way I can realistically save up for my retirement fund is to acquire the ability to increase my income earnings.  I plan to do that by improving my working knowledge and upgrading my professional skills so that I can earn at least $8,000 in my early 30s in the private sector.

As such, I started taking continuing professional courses and planned to study for a master degree.  That was not too difficult yet as my working hours in the civil service was only 8 am to 430 pm on weekdays and 8 to 1230 am on Saturdays.   This is considered a relaxing schedule compared to my undergraduate days when we start at 8 to 830 am and have to finish most of our weekdays till 8 pm for laboratory work.  That was excluding time that we needed to prepare for tutorials, tests and project work.

 

I applied for a teaching post at the university a few months after I started work and was elated when I was granted an interview and subsequently offered a teaching position.  That was an important step in my retirement planning as I will be awarded another university scholarship for a Masters/PhD program; and most importantly I will be receiving my monthly salary while I undergo my post-graduate studies.  With an academic career at the University, I was confident then that I would be able get my target salary of at least $8,0000 monthly pay in my early 30s, with future promotion to senior lecturer if I am hardworking and am able to prove my competency.

 

That was a dream come true as I worked very hard in my undergraduate days and was awarded university medals and university scholarships for my undergraduate course.  Even though I had a very tough time during my undergraduate days, I have many a times day-dreamed of pursuing an academic career at the university and become an Associate Professor.  Strange that I did not have the aspiration to dream all the way to become a full Professor but it was nostalgic looking back at the good old days.

 

To my dismay, my application to leave the civil service was rejected as the transfer my bond from the Public Service Commission to the University was not approved.  However, now I think it is fortunate that my application to transfer my bond to the university was rejected as I would not be able to achieve what I have now with an academic career.

 

At the end of my first year with the civil service.  I was lucky to be given the chance to work in the private sector.  As we were given a year end assessment, we were ranked according to performance.   Those who performed well and gotten ranked high in the list were given the options of continuing to work in the civil service or to leave the service and work in the private sector.

 

As my head of department gave me a very good assessment and a glowing testimonial, I had a high ranking.  I chose to leave the private sector.  I believe that the fact that I have completed my National Service played an important role for my early release to the private sector as well.  After working for a year, I was not keen on an academic career anymore and thought that my long term prospects will be better in the private sector. 

 

I was given a second bite at a sponsored Masters program as I was offered to consider to apply for a scholarship to a Master degree program by the Ministry.  It was very tempting as I will also be receiving monthly pay during the sponsored course of studies.  Moreover, the chances of promotion to the ranks of superscale salary with 5-figure monthly pay are high in future.  But this means that I will be bonded for a further 3 years to the civil service, this is on top of my existing remaining 3 years of bond.

 

After much consideration, I finally decided to leave for private sector and pursue the Master degree on my own.  The reason being I felt my scope of work and freedom to decide on the ways I want to work are restricted in civil service with their established rules and regulations.  The one-year of working in the civil service has given me confidence that if I continue to work hard in the private sector, I will be able do well there and be rewarded accordingly.

I have not looked back since  and managed to almost double my monthly average salary from $2,400 (taking into account of 2 plus month of annual bonus) to $4,300 to $5,200 monthly salary in my second year of work in the private sector. 

 

But men are always not satisfied with things.  When my monthly salary is $2,000, I thought it would be nice to earn $5,000 a month, with thoughts of what things I can buy for myself and my parents and how much I can save monthly.  When I managed to earn $5,000 a month, I will think about what it  would take and what it would be like to earn $10,000 a month.  When I achieved that amount in my fourth working year, after I obtained my masters degree, I again day-dreamed about whether it is possible to earn $15,000 a month.  This sort of greedy day dreaming and wishful thinking never end.

 

But I must qualify that I work long hours during my second year in the private sector.  I worked from 9 am to 930 to 10 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and 9 am to 1 pm on Sundays.  In my first 4 to 5 weeks in May and June, I was so busy that I practically worked every day, except for my birthday in May and public holiday (Vesak day).

 

That was very bad, silly and very unhealthy.  However, because the people that I served in civil service liked my service that they continue their working relationship with me in the private sector that my working schedule was almost full in the first 3 to 4 weeks before I started work in May and I managed to get more new clients from my new work place.

 

I was physically and mentally exhausted and stressed up by the beginning of June, mostly because I have a major examination to take in August.   This is a very important examination as it is a Part I Master degree qualification before I can apply for certain Master degree programs in the UK.  Though I have studied these subjects in my first and second year of undergraduate course, that was a good 4 to 5 years ago and the depth of knowledge was much more at the Masters’ level.

 

Though I had taken a preparatory course in March, the amount of material to read and memorise was colossal.   From early June, I took a day off on Wednesday  and did not work on Tuesday night to allow me to rest and find time to prepare for my exams in August.

 

That period of time was even more stressful compared to the time leading up to my final year professional examinations.  I got more nervous and stressed up as the examination dates drew closer because I knew I did not have sufficient time or energy for the preparation.  I was usually too tired when I reached home around 11 pm during the 3 weekday nights and long working schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

I still remember how angry I was with myself when I sat for the first written paper.  I was mad with myself for such poor planning and not being focused enough on my priorities.  I could not even complete reading the textbooks, let alone doing revision for the materials that I should have covered.  I was kicking myself for wasting my time and money (close to $3,000 for the one week preparatory course in March and examination fees).  I could already then imagine the embarrassment and shame for failing my first academic examination. I thought I am not going to pass the examinations as the pass rate for this examination is usually 25% to 30%. 

 

As this is a con-joint examination with the local University and a Royal College in UK, there were also overseas candidates from the neighbouring countries who come for the examinations.  Though I was the only one from my class who was taking the examination for that year (most will take this exam from the 3^rd working year unlike myself who took it in my 2^nd year), if the calibre of the overseas candidates are outstanding, my chances of passing will be much reduced if the examiners use the ranking method to grade the candidates.

 

As I did not perform well for the written papers, I was expecting to fail.  But to my pleasant astonishment, my name was called out when the names of successful candidates were read out after the Board of Examiners completed their deliberations!  When I spoke to one of my former lecturer who had conducted the examinations, he confirmed my impressions that I did not do well for the final examinations but my performance at the oral examinations saved me.

 

I was fortunate that the local examiners, who were my former lecturers, were very helpful and encouraging during the oral viva examinations.  I also felt that the external examiners from the UK were also very kind and patient with their questionings and probing.  Looking back, I was also lucky that I am usually confident when I speak during oral examinations, even when I am internally very nervous or do not know the answers.  I will normally reason with them using basic concepts or first principles if I am unable to give a specific correct answer to a question.

 

I thought this bitter-sweet terrible experience will wake me up and I will not subject myself to  similar poorly organised preparation for future examinations or work, for that matter.  But history repeated itself again a few years again when I took the Part II Professional examinations in UK 5 years later!

 

With the Part I Masters degree qualification, I applied for a Master’s degree program in the UK which will commence in the following year in September.  When I was informed I was successful in my application in February, I intensified the preparation for my overseas post-graduate program.

 

Fortunately, it was a one year accelerated program, unlike in the USA or Australia whcich can take 2 to 3 years to complete.  This has implications on cost and loss of income.  I will need to save up $60,000 for the Masters course fees, accommodation and living expenses.  That gave me only 2 years and 2 and half working months, since I starting working, to accumulate $60,000.

 

As my combined income for that period is only around $100,000, it was not possible for me to save the post-graduate education funds that I needed.  I gave my parents $500 every month in my first year when my take home pay in civil service was $1528 to $1650 and increased that amount to $900 during my second year.   I only managed to save $9,000 in my first working year as I also took over to pay the monthly car instalment of $450 in my  3^rd working month.

As the monthly car instalment increased to $1300 in the second year when I bought a new car, with my average monthly expenses of $500, I could only save around $2,000 a month in my second working year.

 

Unlike what some of you, who may now think that I am disciplined in my financial planning, I committed two senseless unnecessary purchases and financial decision in my first two years of employment. 

 

The first is to change the 4 year old car in my second working year.  I must be out of my mind when I agreed to my brother’s plans to buy a new car in January on that same year that I left for UK.  I had just finished paying my last car instalment in the preceding month of December for the car that my dad bought 4 years ago.

 

That irrational buying decision meant I needed to come out with $18,000 for downpayment of the car and the monthly instalment was increased to $1300 for the next 4 years.  I still remember that the COE I paid was $43,000!   Because of the high COE (but not as high as the peak $100,000 during that time), the old car was sold for $40,500, $500 more than the price of the brand new car (no COE then) which my dad bought 4 years ago!

 

I remember now the reason why my brother suggested I buy the car is because the monthly increase in COE was scary and he was worried that the existing Hyundai car may start to give problem from the 4^th year which may make it costly to maintain as the warranty period has expired.  The last reason is to buy is to avoid paying GST before the GST system was introduced later part in the year.

 

Even then, it was silly of me to part with $18,000 and have an additional monthly instalment burden of $1300 on the year that I have plans to study in UK.

 

The second irrational financial decision is my purchase of membership ($5,000) to the Society of National University of Singapore (NUSS).  It was still considered affordable, with a first payment of $1,000 and subsequent $100 monthly instalment; with $30 monthly subscription fees.  But when I applied for waiver of payment of monthly subscription fees for the one year that I will be in UK, I was informed I have to fully pay up my membership fees before I can apply for waiver of subscription fees for absent members.

 

I must not be thinking straight when I decided to part with $3,000 plus for full payment of membership fees instead of just continuing to pay monthly instalment of $100 and monthly subscription fees of $30.   Even though I will be paying monthly subscription fees for facilities that I would not be using when I was away, that difference of $2,000 did make a difference when I needed money for my overseas education.  Till now, I am not sure which is the correct decision.  But I am certain that I should not have applied for the NUSS membership before I left for UK.

 

I could have saved at least $40,000 from my first 2 years plus of working.  But because of unwise spending for the new car and NUSS membership, I could only manage to have $18,000 as I also needed money to buy computer notebook (expensive $3,000 for a basic NEC notebook then) and there were other expenses like clothings and shipping of my books/reading materials/clothes to UK.    

 

My father helped and provided $45,000 for the remaining shortfall.   He also helped me with the payment for car instalment while I was away.  I am grateful that he provided the funds for my post-graduate education even though I have already started working.  Although he never told me to pay back, I have since top-up his bank account for the funds he provided.

 

However, my decision to undergo the Master degree program is correct, both in financial sense and socially.  I had a good time during my stay in London.   I was on my own for the first time after 27 years of staying with my parents.  Being so green in the PLU circle, I still remember my nervousness and excitement when I entered a gay bookshop (think it is Gay – the word)  near my hall of residence, on my first day in London. 

 

I didn’t dare to buy any book or magazine from the shop.  I was too shy to buy any gay reading materials.  My first porn magazine was Playboy and Playgirl; I had to buy both of them together at a convenience shop a few weeks later to avoid being embarrassed and exposed as a PLU in front of the cashier if I were to only buy Playgirl magazine only!  During that time, there was no internet service and there was no way to get any online gay information or materials, unlike now.

 

I had some of the best time of my life in UK.  Imagine seeing sunset at midnight at northern coast of Scotland in a place named Tongue in June.  The highlands, mountains, lakes were beautiful.  I also took a 3 weeks holidays around Europe and drive around England, Wales and Scotland in Sep/Oct before I returned to Singapore.

 

Financially, the Master degree program was one of my best investment, though I had less than $2,000 in my bank account when I returned to Singapore.  After two and a half weeks of getting over the initial jet-lag,  getting use to the hot humid local weather and catching up on the changes and things I missed (like eating my favourite fried hokkien mee at 1 am on that first evening back in Singapore) over the past year, I started work  in mid November.

 

Though it was only 2 working days per week, my income of $2,700 for 5 days of work in November is what I needed most after more than a year of loss of income since July the year before.  I gradually increased my working days in December and my salary of $8,000 that month convinced me that my decision for further education is correct.  I shortly increased my monthly income to $10,000 when I started working full time.

 

Though I managed to double my income in my second year and again managed to double it again in my forth year (considering that I spent my third year studying in UK), I was of course not able to double it again in the fifth year. 

 

This is in part due to the Asian Financial crisis in 1997.  My income went down by 30% in that first few months when the crisis struck.  But it came at a time that did not affect me that badly.  That was because I was preparing to take my Part II Professional examinations in early 1998.  I was a bit greedy and applied to take the examinations with the Royal Colleges in both Australia and in Scotland.

 

I should have taken the examinations soon after I obtained my Master’s degree.  But then, I could not have taken them either as there is a minimum criteria of 3 years of working experience before I can take the examinations.  The earliest I could have taken the examinations was in 1997 but I was too lazy and my focus then was to build up my depleted bank account.

 

These two examinations were not too easy either.  Examinations are never easy.  Unless it is Mathematics or Chemistry, which I had no problems or had any stress taking them at ‘A’ levels.  But I hated Physics and to this day, I can still cannot figure out those horrible principles and concepts.

 

Though I remember my near catastrophic experience for my part I examination and have allocated a bit more time planning and preparing for the final Part II examinations, it was still difficult to take an examination while having a full time job. 

 

Somehow, the drive to study while working full time is not the same as when one is studying full time.   The attention span and motivation are totally different.  But unlike 5 years ago when I took my Part I exams, I only work from 9 to 6 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 130 pm on Saturday and I did not work on Sunday.

 

The examination in Australia came first in Janurary.  Fortunately, I took 10 days of study leave before the examinations and the feelings of despair of not able to adequately complete preparation for the examination were not as bad as 5 years ago.  I definitely had more confidence for this exam as I had already obtained my Master degree and the depth of this exam is a bit lesser than the Master level but the range of topics involved are much much wider.

 

I passed the examinations, much to my relief, as one would feel in any examinations.  The Australian examination is generally easier than those conducted in UK, which were more demanding.  Pleasant memories from this examination is that I took 5 days of holidays after the examination, as it coincide with Chinese New Year.  The pleasant part is that I finally get to experience gay sex during this trip.  I visited the gay sauna to experience the gay culture and decided I must experience gay sex before I reach 30 year old!  I finally had my first experience for being a top and a bottom.  Quite an unforgettable experience.

 

Because of my successful attempt for the Australian examination, I was lulled into complacency for the second examination in April by the Royal College in Scotland.  I hardly studied in Feb and early part of March and started to panic again two weeks before the examinations in April, when I realised that I cannot remember some of the things that I had studied for the Australian examinations in January.

 

As I only took 5 days of study leave and that included one day of travelling to Scotland and time needed to recover from jet-lag, I felt really lousy when I was in Scotland, especially the night before the examinations.  The qualification from the Royal Colleges in UK, unlike that in Australia, is almost the equivalent of Master degree.  As such, the depth tested are deeper and are more demanding.

 

Just like my written paper for the Part I examination, I made a mess of the written paper for the final examination, incidentally, the conjoint Part I examination which I took 5 years ago was conducted by  this same Royal College.  Talking about nightmare, this is my second nightmare by the same “examiner”.   A question set in that paper was similar to the one that was set in the Australian examinations but I could not remember all the facts that I had written for the earlier paper in Jan!

 

The oral viva examinations were not easy this time.  The reason is that my confidence was badly shattered after the written paper and I did not believe I could possibly pass this time round.  The pass rate for this examination is also normally 30% unlike the Australian examination, where the pass rate is 50% to 60%.  I was not my usual self during the viva exam and was half hesitant when answering questions as the speed was too fast, with only 5  mins for each station (3 stations of different speciality) of 2 examiners and have to move to the next station immediately after a sound of buzzer rang.  There wasn’t any time for one to catch a breadth or compose oneself if one did not do well in any of the station.

 

On the day, when the results are announced, I was cursing myself again for not learning my lessons during my Part I examinations.  To me this is the ultimate embarrassment, especially so since I have a Master degree and have passed the Australian examination.  I just wanted to leave the grand hall fast and told myself never to take another examination again.

 

It was such a torture when the names were called out for the successful candidates.  I was really shocked when I heard my name being called out.  I still do not know how or why I passed the examination, with such inadequate preparation and rotten performance.

 

I was equally relieved as I was when I passed my Part I examinations.  I need not go back to face my colleagues and friends in awkward embarrassment should I fail this examination. The joys I experienced after I got out of my shock was indescribable.  I now have 4 degrees.  As such, I have accomplished my plans to improve my working knowledge and professional skills as part of my retirement plan.

 

I bought my property at age 33.  It was not a HDB flat but a private condominium.  I wasn’t planning to buy any property at that age but my aunt was the driving force.  She brought me to see a number of condominiums at East Coast, River Valley, Orchard Road, Novena and Newton areas then and advised me to buy a house for myself then.  I remember I dreaded each time she wants to bring me to look at an apartment during the evening after work.

 

In the end, I bought a new condo development at suburban area, next to a mrt station.  The price is only $800k at $511 psf for a 4 bedroom apartment.  I am grateful to her to pushing me to buy a property for myself as I would never have done that on my own.  Considering the price of around $1,000 psf for new condos now, it is indeed a great buy and investment.

 

Due to the Asian financial crisis and SARS outbreak, I could only increase my income by about 10% a year for the next ten years.   Because of subsequent new venture and investment in my work business, I managed to increase my working income by about 15% to 20% annually subsequently. 

 

Though I was able to double my income twice in the first 3 years.  It took me ten years to next double my income and another five to six years to again double it to my present salary.

 

One reason is because I took up a part time teaching position at the University, on my 9^th working year.  It is such an irony, I was planning an academic career when I first started working but did not pursue it.  Almost 10 years later, I still go back to teaching at the University.

 

This is actually an important component for my retirement planning.  With my planning to increase my earning ability with improved working knowledge and professional skills, 22 years ago, so that I can save up for my future retirement, I have managed to beef up my target fund by 3 to 4 times and at the age of 46 instead of 55.

 

I have annuities plans that will give me at least $3,500 monthly pay out from age 65.  With the funds from my supplementary retirement account (SRS), which  will provide me with at least $25,000 annually for the next 10 years from age 65, I will have combined $5,500 monthly income from age 65 to age 75.

I plan to cash out one of my two life insurance policy at age 75, which will provide me a surrender sum of $230,000 (far cry from the $320,000 which it was supposed to provide for the illustration plan when I purchased it in 1993).  With that, I can get another $2,000 monthly to supplement the $3,500 monthly I will get from my annuities from age 75 to 85.

 

I have another life insurance policy that I only need to pay till age 60 and that will be my protection against disability and critical illness till I die.  I will pass on the benefits to my nephews/nieces, who will share the $250,000 to $450,000 depending when the claim for the policy  is done.

 

Even if I were to decide to fully retire now at age of 46, the $3M to $4M of my current savings and investments will be sufficient for me till age 65 before I get the above pay out.

 

I wish I can stop all work now but I do not want to fully retire.  The most important reason being, my mum will all the more nag incessantly and try to persuade me to get married.  My other friends will also think I have more time and set up more dates for me to find a wife.  As I am ‘straight acting’, they are still trying to help me to get a wife, with the erroneous thoughts that I was too busy and devoted to my work to find time to socialise to find a wife.  Most people, who get to get to know me, initially, will ask me how many children I have and how old are my children!

 

However, I am planning to semi-retire.  To be exact, I have already started to wound down my working schedule.  Part-time teaching is part of my plan for semi-retirement.  As I am an adjunct senior staff at the university, I am paid every month, regardless of whether I am teaching or whether it is term vacation for that month.   For example, in month of December, when I do not teach, I still receive my monthly salary.

 

I have increased my half day teaching a week to each full day (only 6 hours!) per week.  With 4 days of teaching a month, I will get around $2,000 take home pay a month, every month.  That is indeed a very useful source of income during semi-retirement for the next 9 years.

 

I have also cut down my work by another 1 to 2 days a week (exclusive of that one day that I have blocked out for teaching).  This will reduce my monthly income by 50% but with at least $20,000 monthly income, including February when I only worked for 12 days, for the past few months, this income will further goes to beefing up my retirement funds, CPF and SRS accounts for the next few years. 

 

I will still get other income from yearly Director fees and dividends from my business.  I also get monthly interest of around $480 from my bank account and about $16,000 to $20,000 yearly dividends from my shares/stocks and investment funds.  Hopefully with the above additional income, I can get to increase my retirement funds by another $1M when I decide to stop work at age 55.

 

I was planning to set aside additional of $1M for every 10 years for 40 years when I stopped work at age 55.  This will be on top of what I receive from my annuities, SRS and one insurance policy that will provide me with at least $5,500 a month from age 65 to age 85.

 

This is my story of my early retirement planning before I started work 22 years ago and how I go about achieving the target of my retirement plan.  To those who think that it is difficult or impossible to plan for retirement in Singapore, it is possible with well thought-out and practical planning.

 

Of course, I do not think everyone will be able to go through the same experience as me.  I was fortunate and blessed to be given the opportunity to receive the education at the university that provided me with the skills to start my career.  I was equally lucky to have met all those kind people who have helped me during my studies at the university and subsequently during my working life; who made it possible for me to achieve what I have set out to do.

 

Regardless of what is your income and what are your needs during retirement, with hard work and sensible planning, one will still be able enjoy the pleasures of life, which everyone deserves, at a later age after working for 20, 30 or 40 years.

 

[Guest Guest]

I read somewhere that Justin Bieber has retired at only 19 yo,last time i read, he is writing songs for other singers, i guess u dun really retire if u r doing something u enjoy but for me i see 50yo as a realistic target even though now at 36yo i am doing part time work, wat i like to do is to laze around SERIOUSLY

[Guest Theprince]

I am 42. And through significant planning I did during my working years, I can retire now. But then I am not sure I want to as my current retirement income won't be able to sustain the. Lifestyle I have now and want to continue. So I have set myself a target and now working towards it. As soon as it is achieved, I will retire. Current projections is that it will be when I am 50.

[Guest Cute Exec]

I will retire when I get financial freedom i.e my money makes more money and no debt.

[Guest LONEly NIGht]

Once I got financial freedom, I will still be working, but save no more, I will splurge all my monthly income. Wah! What a feeling ! can't wait the day to come。

[bodybuildMLY]

Why must you retire, especially when you are gay and staying alone? You will rot to death when your brain stops working. Just work to kill time and to keep your brain working. You wouldn't wanna end up having Alzheimer disease. Stay physically active too, ya? 

[Firday]

Why must you retire, especially when you are gay and staying alone? You will rot to death when your brain stops working. Just work to kill time and to keep your brain working. You wouldn't wanna end up having Alzheimer disease. Stay physically active too, ya? 

Brain won't stop when not working..

Stop work won't end up Alzheimer disease....

Stay physically active not necessary must be working....

 

I understand your point of views but somehow remind me ...sometime ago, a young insurance agent told me.

 

You must have at least 3 million in order to retired at the age 55...

So I ask her - what if I can't have 3m - mean I must die lah.

She have no answer for me.

 

Try to find what your want and need then decide upon it.

 

You will be surprise..all those want is not relevant to our need.

Eg Smartphone is want and mobile phone is need

 

Without smartphone may save price of the smartphone, Telco and parts.

Mobile phone $30, prepaid.

[nicenewyorker]

So I'm still single and guess I'm picky but I'm wondering what will become of us as we age into old age and what if we still haven't found THE ONE at 60 or 70.  I wanna know more about gay life as single senior citizens and also gay senior couples here in SG.  I know there aren't any gay senior centers let alone gay friendly senior retirement homes which leaves us living alone or with partner.  Society (esp. gay) typically ignore the senior citizens but they are around and we will be elderly one day as well.  Any comments, questions related to subject please post.

[Guest Guest]

If you are one of those who work and contribute the maximum amount to your CPF monthly, and assume you work for 35 years, would you have enough money saved up in CPF to care for your retirement years? Even if you have the maximum amount saved, is that enough to care for you till you are 85?

[Guest Guest]

Buy insurance to cover your life , they have all type of plans

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

It really depend on your income level and the type of house you want to buy.

Naturally the higher your income and the more humble you are in your housing choice mean you have more security and less headache when you look at your cpf statement account in your sunset years.

And in between the long years toward your date of passing,no one can guarantee you won't lose your job/get ill/get handicap/die before 85 etc.

Cpf cannot help people to secure their retirement at all. Government should return all remaining proceedings to citizens when they have reach retirement age and have fully paid off for their houses.

Screw the lease buyback scheme and screw the minimum sum requirement.

Fuck.

[robin]

It will be tough but not impossible. To me, one has to achieve the following:

1) Liabilities free, including housing

2) Comprehensive insurance coverage for hospitalization & critical illnesses.

3) Monthly PASSIVE income of at least $2.5k. This can be in the form of collecting rental.

4) Lump sum cash of at least $500k in th bank to earn little bit of interest & keep such cash as liquidity

Edited September 18, 2014 by robin

[Guest Guest]

It will be tough but not impossible. To me, one has to achieve the following:

1) Liabilities free, including housing

2) Comprehensive insurance coverage for hospitalization & critical illnesses.

3) Monthly PASSIVE income of at least $2.5k. This can be in the form of collecting rental.

4) Lump sum cash of at least $500k in th bank to earn little bit of interest & keep such cash as liquidity

I think it is reasonable to assume no 1 if you have been able to contribute maximum amt to your CPF. I think most won't have no 2 because when you are working, you rely on company's health plan to cover your medical expenses. No 3 - is that from your CPF account? If not, then unlikely. No 4 may also be difficult for most as most people would have spent most of what they earned on the HDB and their aged old parents and children.

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

Are you guys speaking from your own social perspective instead of a collective perspective of society?

Not everyone company provide healthcare coverage for their employees and setting aside a lump sum of a few hundred thousands in a bank is also not a collective achievable task for every one in Singapore.

You have your constructive points and direction toward securing the future but it doesn't speak for the whole unfortunately.

[bluerunner]

Everybody here is thinking of retiring early.

1. Have you thought of how are you going to spend your days after retirement?

2. Have you tried not working for 2-12months staying in Singapore ?

Can tahan ah?

I was so bored on the 3rd weeks of not working! How to retire?!?

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

Everybody here is thinking of retiring early.

1. Have you thought of how are you going to spend your days after retirement?

2. Have you tried not working for 2-12months staying in Singapore ?

Can tahan ah?

I was so bored on the 3rd weeks of not working! How to retire?!?

Your old bones and frail body will made you want to one day,don't worry.

Just enjoy your life and vitality while you still have it right now.

[snowball]

同不同命，有人一生不用为钱烦 ， 含着金锁匙出生 ，

有人年轻打拼 ， 原本老来该享福 ， 到头来一身病 。

今天不知明天事 ， 是否可以看到明天的日出还未知，

不是不未雨绸缪 ， 想太远又何必 。都不知会否动用到cpf ,

还是会留给家人 ， 把握当下才是最重要 ，

防老计划要趁早 ， 医药保险不可少 。

老来会是怎么样 ，现在说了还尚早 。

[Guest Guest]

Buy insurance to cover your life , they have all type of plans

 

Who will need your insurance money after you die? Life insurance return may be mere peanuts to your heir and you might be just wasting or tying up your own money while you are still living.

 

Be very suspicious of policy clauses. Many have age cut-offs, like no more total disability coverage at age 65, skyrocketing payments after 65, no more life coverage at 70, etc.  Many cannot pass the medical even at age 40 because of slight blood pressure, early diabetes, etc.  and are uninsurable.

 

Some simple cheap annual accident insurance may be enough. Most important is your retirement emergency fund, which must be available quickly on demand.

[Marineboy]

Everybody here is thinking of retiring early.

1. Have you thought of how are you going to spend your days after retirement?

2. Have you tried not working for 2-12months staying in Singapore ?

Can tahan ah?

I was so bored on the 3rd weeks of not working! How to retire?!?

 

SInce you are so bored then you should not retire at all.

For others after 3 weeks they might have thought why didn't I do it earlier

As for me I will choose partime that's assuming I have the means to semi retire.

This way I have less time at work and more time for leisure until such time my body will call the shots..bo pien

[robin]

I think it is reasonable to assume no 1 if you have been able to contribute maximum amt to your CPF. I think most won't have no 2 because when you are working, you rely on company's health plan to cover your medical expenses. No 3 - is that from your CPF account? If not, then unlikely. No 4 may also be difficult for most as most people would have spent most of what they earned on the HDB and their aged old parents and children.

For point 2, it is actually not difficult to achieve. The hospitalization insurance plans in Singapore are pretty affordable as most of the premium can be paid via our Medisave.

In order to achieve point 3 & 4, one has to realize that it is almost impossible to do it based on savings from salary. Without learning how to invest, regardless if it is in business, properties or stocks, it is almost impossible to achieve it. True, investment comes with risk. But one has to realised that if you want to retire in Singapore, without taking investment risk, you will not have enough money to retire anyway. So this risk is NOT an option

[Guest Guest]

How do you guys cope? It's real and it happens to everyone, sooner or later.

 

Signs of aging i'm experiencing ...

 

# urine stream is weaker, stand at urinal for a  long time before urine starts

 

# eyes can't focus near objects

 

# feeling aches and pains

 

# skin sagging and wrinkles

 

#teeth yellowing and chipping off

 

# semen drooling out

 

# fewer erections

 

# more forgetful and slow reaction

 

How about you? 

[Guest Guest]

Some are strong and some are weak,

same age does not mean that condition are similar,

some stay strong even in their 80,

Walk freely, good eye sight etc,

just keep fit when you are young,

your old depend how you take care yourself now.

[bluerunner]

SInce you are so bored then you should not retire at all.

Precisely. I have no plan to retire (if I have the choice). I hope to continue working as long as my mind n body allow. It will not be easy because many companies do not like to re-employe older workers currently. For sure how things will go in the future.

[mate69]

In many companies including mine, those who reach the statutory retirement age of 62 are offered recontract but are given reduced pay and terms on the same job scope, much to the unhappiness of many. Unfair, yes but that's how a lot of companies are milking their workers for all they are worth. Disgusted.

[Marineboy]

Our garmen has their policies favouring the companies at the expense of the worker is you have not noticed that already.

Hence if I am boss I certainly welcome it with open arms n legs too keke

 

My bro inlaw said some time ago as he saw where our policies were heading and told me to invest back into the company to get back what lost in terms of salary as likely the company will gain from the garmen's move.

So damn true..if only I had enough to invest..sigh! keke

[Guest Guest]

Look around you and your best buddies, do you see your friends face look more and more like Aunties, and as age catches up their female side becomes more and more prominent, the face taking on the look of old aunties and the behaviour becomes more like pre menopausal and ongoing menopausal women,

 

grumpy, and lor sor,

 

I have already noticed some clues in this forum,

 

as for me, i have been taking testosterone supplemnts, and i have a square jawed face, upright , ramrod body, and have a go getter attitude in life,

 

of my dreads of getiing to look more and more like old aunties.

 

Do you fear growing old and becoming like old , grumpy, hag, argumantative aunties in your old age?????

[bluerunner]

In many companies including mine, those who reach the statutory retirement age of 62 are offered recontract but are given reduced pay and terms on the same job scope, much to the unhappiness of many. Unfair, yes but that's how a lot of companies are milking their workers for all they are worth. Disgusted.

Heard bout that from an old nurse. She said her pay was slashed 50% when she got re-employed after she reached ur retirement age. She took the offer because she was still passionate about nursing job and getting some money was still better than not receiving any.

[Guest]

I am 67 and happily retired for the past 7 years. I am fit, young at heart and healthy.   My life interests keep me busy and occupied most of the time.  I do regular gym and muscle building thrice weekly, cooking for my family and trying out new recipes to develop new skills, house keeping and cleaning as part of my daily exercise, learning and practising musical instrument daily to amuse myself, gardening and growing orchids and favourite plants to relax my soul, fellowshipping and meeting friends for lunch/dinner, travelling overseas often to discover new things and places.  One day I will join a photographic group to learn new skills and make more friends.  I started cultivating these hobbies when I am in my 40s and they are now part of my life routine to keep me going on strong and happy for many years to come.  

 

Meaningful retirement requires good planning while you are still working and young.  That includes finance, health, interests/hobbies and circle of friends.

[Guest]

Retiring as PLU is a daunting thought! getting old with gay partners will be tough

[Guest The Living]

I never thought about it, because it was a frightening thought.   I am in my 40s and I don't have that retirement benefits to relie upon in old age.  My savings were wiped out in every downturn cycle experienced in Singapore, mainly because our salary was low and just enough to make end meets during working life. As such, I will never take up job that is stressful, just for a few dollars more.  That said, I busy myself with a group of hobbyist, do simple gardening, aquarium and visit palces where people make simple livings.  Many of them have dreams, so am I, and that was enough as nobody knows what future lies ahead.  I live each day as if I was still a child, easily contented over little suprises, here and there, and being contented with a smile or a thanks from someone, that kept me happy and excited. I do not have philosophy, I have no word of encouragement for the aging people. I did not come to this world by mistake, so I just live it and whichever manner of departure which is an eventual thing which I wouldn't want to plan nor think about, because whicheve manner of your death - already has no impact on your future.  So, I don't really care!

[teatree]

Most of us will end up like that.

[Traveler3032]

So many people want to retire early at age 35 or 45.  But how do you fill your day?  I am not convinced that you can fill it with nonproductive hobbies, such as gym workout, or cooking. Day trading is hazardous to your wealth.

Edited January 28, 2016 by Traveler3032

[Guest Teatree]

I would recommend semi retirement at age 60 and full retirement at 65, the draw down age of your CPF, if your health is permissible. Semi retirement means you still have more time for other things like pursuing your hobby and travelling. By age 65, your mobility will be constrained and travelling can be more of a chore rather than leisure.

[Guest Retiree]

With advances in health care and medicine, now people live much longer and retire longer compared to 30 years ago.  So your retirement benefit or saving would have to work harder and longer for you. With rising cost in just about everything, retirement benefit needs to keep up with inflation and unexpected needs such as accident etc.

.

Retirement needs more money to spend in different ways compared to when you are young and working.  The costs include food, travelling, entertainment, health care etc and they are never cheap

.

Retirement does not mean doing nothing with your free time.  You still have 24 hours 7 days a week to keep yourself occupied and entertained or else it will be a boring life.

 

Retirement needs careful planning for future finance so that the nest eggs can last you longer, hobbies need to be cultivated, friends need to be made and treasured and body needs to be taken care of by regular exercise so that you have good health to enjoy the later part of your life in fulfilment.

 

Every working person needs to plan for his or her retirement now rather than faces it when it arrives.  it will be far too late.

 

 

 

[Guest 1978]

On 1/27/2016 at 5:48 AM, Guest said:

I am 67 and happily retired for the past 7 years. I am fit, young at heart and healthy.   My life interests keep me busy and occupied most of the time.  I do regular gym and muscle building thrice weekly, cooking for my family and trying out new recipes to develop new skills, house keeping and cleaning as part of my daily exercise, learning and practising musical instrument daily to amuse myself, gardening and growing orchids and favourite plants to relax my soul, fellowshipping and meeting friends for lunch/dinner, travelling overseas often to discover new things and places.  One day I will join a photographic group to learn new skills and make more friends.  I started cultivating these hobbies when I am in my 40s and they are now part of my life routine to keep me going on strong and happy for many years to come.  

 

Meaningful retirement requires good planning while you are still working and young.  That includes finance, health, interests/hobbies and circle of friends.

1

I have not read the entire thread... only those posted this year. 

 

I am 68.  There is no clear-cut date when I stopped work for good because each I wanted to stop or I think I ought to stop, I got recalled until I decided 'enough was enough'.   The downside to stopping work was that I felt 'cut-off' and a sense of social isolation.  The upside was that I was no longer having to deal with office politics.

 

I do not look like my same-age peers.  I can lie easily about my age by as much as 20 years without causing any raised eyebrows.  Showing my GP card to cashiers causes them to take a second look at me: "Is this your card?"  "You are fantastic" etc.  It was not looking my age that had kept me employable.  (I had an employment agent to represent me in job search and this was the trunk card she used to get prospective employers to grant me interviews.)  

 

So what's the secret to avoiding premature aging?   Wherever possible, I have been avoiding sugar and salt from an early age and, subsequently, simple carbohydrates and processed foods.  My taste bud can detect even the mildest sugar or salt and tells me to reject.  Sugar badly affect one's skin.  My skin is relatively free of wrinkles.  I do not have myopia which rare for a Chinese male.

 

In retirement, I have become healthier and healthier due to weight training to maintain bone density, testosterone and HDL.  I visit the polyclinic for annual screening with no underlining problem found except hypertension for which I refuse medication.

 

On 1/28/2016 at 8:13 AM, Guest said:

Retiring as PLU is a daunting thought! getting old with gay partners will be tough

Can't agree more.  Even getting along with straights in old age is already tough.

 

On 1/28/2016 at 0:00 PM, Traveler3032 said:

So many people want to retire early at age 35 or 45.  But how do you fill your day?  I am not convinced that you can fill it with nonproductive hobbies, such as gym workout, or cooking. Day trading is hazardous to your wealth.

 

I used to be fed-up with people asking me: "So how do you spend your time now that you are not working".  How do I explain to them that I do not have a house maid at home and that the house cannot clean or maintain itself.   Only those who live alone can understand better.

 

On 1/28/2016 at 3:04 PM, Guest Teatree said:

I would recommend semi retirement at age 60 and full retirement at 65, the draw down age of your CPF, if your health is permissible. Semi retirement means you still have more time for other things like pursuing your hobby and travelling. By age 65, your mobility will be constrained and travelling can be more of a chore rather than leisure.

3

Not true.  It depends on how you have been treating yourself before you hit 'old' age.   One can be old at any age.  I have come across many younger people who cannot hold a candle to me.  Not boasting, and I am disappointed with them.  

 

11 hours ago, Guest Retiree said:

With advances in health care and medicine, now people live much longer and retire longer compared to 30 years ago.  So your retirement benefit or saving would have to work harder and longer for you. With rising cost in just about everything, retirement benefit needs to keep up with inflation and unexpected needs such as accident etc.

.

Retirement needs more money to spend in different ways compared to when you are young and working.  The costs include food, travelling, entertainment, health care etc and they are never cheap

.

Retirement does not mean doing nothing with your free time.  You still have 24 hours 7 days a week to keep yourself occupied and entertained or else it will be a boring life.

 

Retirement needs careful planning for future finance so that the nest eggs can last you longer, hobbies need to be cultivated, friends need to be made and treasured and body needs to be taken care of by regular exercise so that you have good health to enjoy the later part of your life in fulfilment.

 

Every working person needs to plan for his or her retirement now rather than faces it when it arrives.  it will be far too late.

2

Many people do not realise that having a good education makes the difference in retirement.  Your options are far more varied in how you keep yourself entertained or occupied.  A world of music, literature and art is waiting for your exploration.

[Guest Guest Retiree]

5 hours ago, Guest 1978 said:

I have not read the entire thread... only those posted this year. 

 

I am 68.  There is no clear-cut date when I stopped work for good because each I wanted to stop or I think I ought to stop, I got recalled until I decided 'enough was enough'.   The downside to stopping work was that I felt 'cut-off' and a sense of social isolation.  The upside was that I was no longer having to deal with office politics.

 

I do not look like my same-age peers.  I can lie easily about my age by as much as 20 years without causing any raised eyebrows.  Showing my GP card to cashiers causes them to take a second look at me: "Is this your card?"  "You are fantastic" etc.  It was not looking my age that had kept me employable.  (I had an employment agent to represent me in job search and this was the trunk card she used to get prospective employers to grant me interviews.)  

 

So what's the secret to avoiding premature aging?   Wherever possible, I have been avoiding sugar and salt from an early age and, subsequently, simple carbohydrates and processed foods.  My taste bud can detect even the mildest sugar or salt and tells me to reject.  Sugar badly affect one's skin.  My skin is relatively free of wrinkles.  I do not have myopia which rare for a Chinese male.

 

In retirement, I have become healthier and healthier due to weight training to maintain bone density, testosterone and HDL.  I visit the polyclinic for annual screening with no underlining problem found except hypertension for which I refuse medication.

 

Can't agree more.  Even getting along with straights in old age is already tough.

 

I used to be fed-up with people asking me: "So how do you spend your time now that you are not working".  How do I explain to them that I do not have a house maid at home and that the house cannot clean or maintain itself.   Only those who live alone can understand better.

 

Not true.  It depends on how you have been treating yourself before you hit 'old' age.   One can be old at any age.  I have come across many younger people who cannot hold a candle to me.  Not boasting, and I am disappointed with them.  

 

Many people do not realise that having a good education makes the difference in retirement.  Your options are far more varied in how you keep yourself entertained or occupied.  A world of music, literature and art is waiting for your exploration.

 

 

Guest 1978 you sound interesting and knowledgeable to get to know. Love to catch up to share more.

[Cube3]

Everyone should read this book, tilted Being Mortal.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/02/being-mortal-review-atul-gawande-death-palliative-care-alzheimers