Do you feel guilty if you retire from work at all? And really retire at what age
By carpediem17
@carpediem17 (1315)
Singapore
August 2, 2010 3:54am CST
There is recently some debate about the retirement age which is currently 62 or 66 years old (approx) in some countries. One of our senior ministers have indicated that there should not be any retirement age. Reason being that the mental health of the individual will be kept constantly, occupied, sustaining of an active lifestyle for the old - besides reducing unemployment and providing an income for the individual.
Personally I do not wish to die on the job. I think working to about 62 years is just about right. And I wish to participate and enjoy life in its simplicity.
Rather than doing away with the Retirement Age, maybe there should just be an option to work for some who choose to work rather than have to. What is your view on this?
2 responses
@sjlskl (3382)
• Singapore
2 Aug 10
You seem to be in the same country as me, the little red dot. I think as long as one can and wishes to, they can continue working as long as they wanted. But many would want to be able to retire and enjoy the fruits of their labour. That itself is not wrong. They have slog most their entire life and they are entitled to take a break. But I do not think a politician or minister should come out and tell people to retire or not to.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
2 Aug 10
hi sjlskl, your guess is correct, i'm from the same dot, haha. My sentiments are the same as yours. I would like to retire or semi-retire with all my faculties intact and enjoy the fruits of my labour. To work or not is a choice of the individual - perhaps more development in creating contractual jobs for senior citizens should give us better options. Definitely senior citizens are better workers and more responsible too but don't begrudge them of enjoying a little of their retirement.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
2 Aug 10
The ideal scenario is always this: we can quit at any time and do the things we like. How do you define job? It's when you still need that salary and is at the mercy of your employer to provide that, so when you are really financial free, you can retire at any time or not retire at all.
There was once a talk on this and the speaker mentioned that RM$750,000 (about USD237,000) was what you need to live in Malaysia after you retire (maybe for about 25 years or so before you meet the lord). It depends on the living standard of each country.
For retirement, I think these are the important factors, finances and activities to keep one active and occupied. There may be others but I have not thought too hard about it. 
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
2 Aug 10
thanks bmp for your sharing. As the official Retirement Age is governed by an Act in the respective country, I feel it is better to set it at a reasonable age of about 62 years. Then we can take out whatever cash or pension fund that is under the government custody so that we can enjoy life a little bit.
Do work we can but at our own pace, at our own leisure and own discretion. To do away with (or cancel) the Retirement Age is equal to working all your life and you may still have some of your hard earned money under the government custody be withheld from you!
Maybe there should be some guidelines as to what job can be performed by the senior citizens for each age-group and the salary to be paid. Then there is no force sense of being exploited.
