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Old 15-09-2013, 08:20 AM
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Do not gloat. 55, 56 is the starting age for most retirees. In fact the new retirement age is now 62, so you are considered to have retired prematurely. With life expectancy of 85, you have 30 years to go. These are the questions you have to asked yourselves to assess if your money can last the 30 years.

1. Is your passive income of $60k pa stable? Can you expect this same amount every year?
2. Is your passive income source able to keep pace with inflation?
3. Is your $40k expense pa the lowest you are prepared to live with?
4. Are you prepared to downgrade from your 4 rm flat to HDB studio apartment?
5. Do both of you have insurance cover for medical events? Major illness?

If you answer more than one NO to the above, there is a very high chance your money will run out 10 to 15 yrs down the road. Inflation, medical expenses will be the culprit. You can check the numbers out yourselves with the yahoo retirement calculator: Yahoo! Personal Finance Calculators - How Much Will I Need To Save For Retirement?

Although it is tailored for use in US, you can use your own numbers and it will give you a good gauge on how inflation can diminish your $60k passive income and if you cannot afford to lower your $40k yearly expense, it will also show how much that expense will grow again due to inflation.

So do not gloat. Do your sums properly first.

I belong to the group you mentioned whose household income is >$300k pa. Although our combined household income is $460k pa, we don't stay in big bungalows and we don't drive big conti cars. We spend $100k pa and save / invest the rest. We live in a condo with 2 cars. If we want to maintain our $100k pa lifestyle throughout our retirement years, we have to continue working till 65. Inflation and medical expenses are our biggest worry.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
We are a retired couple, 55 & 56 years old. Passive income $60k pa. We live in a 4 room HDB flat. Our net worth, including flat, is $1.2m. We live a frugal life, no car, simple meals, no debt. Only spend $40k pa. We feel rich even though we seem poor. We pity those who seem rich but poor, they earn $300k pa but spend $400k pa. They have big bungalows, big car, etc and all on loan. They always argue about money and always compare with their elite friends.
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