People tend to take things for granted until we dont have them. By then regretting is too late and it is hard to get those things back. Here, I will focus on being on employment versus being a retiree / unemployed.
Financial aspects
The most prominent difference is the salary. The moment you are unemployed, be it retired or retrenched, you stopped receiving that monthly bundle of joy - the salary. This salary brings joy not only to yourself but your dependents too.
Then there is the bonus. This is where you will treat yourself to something special, bring your family for a good holiday or simply shore up your retirement fund! Getting this bonus is what many workers look forward to each year. Once retired, nothing like this to look forward to.
As an employee, I get subsidized medical care, not just for myself but my family members are covered too! Both outpatient and hospitalization. Once out of job, everything is going to come out of your own pocket.
Most companies also provide company scheme subsidies for personal telco services for their employees. As a retiree, you pay full fees for the same telco services.
Getting paid while on leave, while holidaying overseas is another big perk I will sorely miss if I was not employed. Knowing that while I am enjoying a great holiday with my family and yet seeing my salary being credited to my account is something only those who are employed are relate to.
Then there is the
CPF contribution that employers have to pay their workers. Though, we may not be able to touch that contribution until 55, the contribution does add up to another nice bundle of joy!
Non financial aspects
As salaried people, we always look forward to weekends and holidays. The eves of holidays are particularly exciting. Think everyday will be the same if I were a retiree.
Training and specialised courses are provided to us at companies' expense. Outside of work, we will be paying for training and courses out of own pocket.
Then there is the knowledge and satisfaction that in some way you are contributing to society when you are gainfully employed. You tend to lose that sense of self worth and esteem when you are no longer in employment.