Category: Retirement issues

For a few years, the Club has been discussing options to stay in JB. Different groups have their own plans and preferences. Others have form their own small groups to stay together. And a few others have already set foot in JB.

To get started, Poh Heng and myself are intending to rent a place in JB, initially for 1 year. Here are our basic considerations. Feel free to form your own group and your own choices. Our targets are:

1. A 2 storey house with a garden.

2. 4 bed rooms, both floors

3. Preferred Part of Gated community.

4. Nearness to 1st or 2nd link.

5. Target budget, including 1 year rental, electricity, water and part time help.

I have only 2 rooms left to share. To join us, deposit for 3 mths rental SGD 900.

6. Estimated start of stay Nov 2022.

If you like to join this program, pls whatsapp “JB rental stay” to 9489 4360.

Terence Seah

This is a follow-up to our Whatsapp Text chatgroup on Retirement in JB – Stages 1 and 2 of the ageing process.

Last night 9 Aug, we had Ong Lin Khim to help us address the topic on Ageing Stages 3 and 4. Ong has been a SHC Member since 2005. He has always been researching on the issues facing seniors when we are immobile, unable to eat, move and bathe.

A popular topic, very well attended, SHC Zooms helps us get together to share important topics while Covid-19 is still around us.

The next topic is Ageing – Nursing homes. Likely schedule Sun 16 Aug 2020 at 8.30 pm 1.5 hrs. For more details, contact your Group Leader GL.

Let’us have your feedback.

Terence Seah

Group 1 has got off to a good start with 34 members, brainstorming on a community in JB.

Group 2 starts on 1 Dec 2019. If you have considered ageing together in JB, you can join group 2.

The earlier post can be seen at:

Ageing together in JB

To participate, plse WhatsApp 9489 5360.

Terence Seah

We are setting up a group for SHC members who have considered or decided on ageing together in JB. This group is not for those who are not ready to consider retiring or are anti the JB area.

We will start as a Whatsapp group, strictly no URL links, copy and paste, videos and pictures. Club rules apply.

Here, the platform would provide participants the opportunity to find other fellow members with similar interests eg:

1. Pooling of maid or domestic help services eg keeping the place tidy and clean and cooking.

2. Sharing of transport or cars, so as to keep mobile.

3. Sharing cost of place of stay, a house or a condo. Rental or purchase.

4. Sharing of day to day marketing and household costs.

5. Plan outdoor trips, to keep in touch with the outside world.

6. Discussion on hospital, doctors, medical services, clinics, nursing, maids and ambulance availability and costs.

7. Rooming needs eg double, single and facilities.

8. How to keep living costs down in JB while ageing together as a group?

9. What the group can do to keep healthy and active?

10. How to help and support one another, in cases of disabilities, difficulty in movement and need to go for medical treatment?

11. Malaysia – my second home as a retirement visa.

If you like to join and meet fellow members on the above topics, contact us at +65 9489 4360.

** Registration closed. Next session: 1 Dec 2019.

Terence Seah

Khao Yai, known globally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about 2 hours north east of Bangkok.

About 80% of Singaporeans live in HDB flats on 99 year lease. Many of us fall within this category, and we can read in the media that many Singaporeans and PRs are concerned about the remaining lease years.

Concerns include passing over to the next generation, ability to buy a used HDB flat when the balance lease is 40 – 60 years. Understanding the HDB flat is an asset and what 99 years lease means to retirees downsizing.

Let’s say our HDB flat has 40 years left, what can we do with these 40 years?

Let’s discuss, so that most of us can have a better understanding of this topic and it’s implication.

Terence Seah

The 3rd evaluation trip will be based in Chiangmai city. This trip will focus on moving around CM city, plus an overnight trip to a town, 1 hr from the city.

This trip caters to city dwellers, as is preferred by Singaporeans. CM city has almost all the facilities and entertainmentof a modern city. Participants get to experience local thai transport. For those adverturous, you can team up in groups of 4 to rent a car to drive around, or a scooter in groups of two to venture into the old city.

For common areas where we go togather, we will use public transport. Basically the Song Thaew which is a pick-up with two rows facing one another. Each ride costing 15-20 baht within the city.

Participants will get to book and stay in a hotel. You can choose your own hotel. Ideally in groups of two or four. Participants will have to book their own airtickets.

The first group to form will get to choose the dates, about 7 nights. Scoot and Silkair flies to CM regularly. Plse check for special promotions.

Those who are interested to join this trip, plse whatsapp +65 9489 4360 to join the group discussion.

Terence Seah

Perth is 5 flying hours from Singapore. Time wise, we are in the same time zone, +8 hrs GMT. And One SGD is about one AUD.

Scoot, SIA, Jetstar and Quantas fly regularly to Perth. Perth city is small in size, compared to Singapore.

Like most tourists, Singaporeans can get a 1 year tourist visa, multiple entry and 3-mths at one stay. I hear that we can even get a 3 or 6 year extended visa. Got to check.

Many Singaporeans settle down in Perth, not necessary in the city but in many suburbs south of Perth. Connected by fast timely trains and highways, one gets to travel into the city within 30 mins. Unlikely muti storey shopping centres, Aussie malls are generally ground or low level. Due to space availability, car parks are huge, and very often, one gets to park for free. How much do we have to pay for a car? SGD 4000 for a 2nd hand car or SGD 99,000 for a new car.

How are living prices in Perth? What’s it like to live in a house? Or should one settle for an apartment instead, just like many of us are used to? How much does it cost to buy a house or an apartment? SGD 450K or SGD 1.5 m for a 1,500 sq m space.

Food. How is eating out, or cooked in? What are prices like? Is it easy to get Asian food? What about service charges? How much does pork or chicken cost? What about vegetables, milk, fish, apples and mangoes? Will I feel at home? Afterall, we have live in Singapore for more than 50 years, with Cold Storage, NTU Fairprice, Seng Siong and our local grocery shop.

Friends. Easy to find friends and make friends? Where are they? One can tell how many Singaporeans live in Perth by chatting with the passengers on Scoot or Singapore airlines. We can also tell when there is a Singapore National Day gathering.

Health and Medical. As a citizen or PR, how are medical facilities and health costs? Oops, we are retiring tourist. How long does one have to wait to see a doctor? What is it like to see a doctor, a dentist or a pharmacist? Where are the hospitals? Private and Govt.

Seasons. How are the summers and the winters? How extreme can the weather get? Can we as retirees take the weather? Oh, my bones ache and my joints may go stiff. Or is it always hot, steamy and rainy? Does it snow?

Life must be more interesting. What about entertainment? What time do shops open and close? Do shops open on Sat and Sun? Heard that fishing, crabbing and picking abalones are fun activities. Are there bars, dancing places and restaurants that close at midnight? Or do they close at 6pm only? Anyway to get a massage for SGD 30 per hour? Cinemas, karaoke rooms and bowling alleys, are they easily available? What about open markets and Sunday Fleamarts? Hmm, got Korean or Taiwanese movies, or Singapore Ch 5, 8 or CNA, or not?

Space and fresh air. Australia is big. Australia is not Perth. There is Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, Adelaide, and many more cities. What’s there to do? Farm stays, passion fruit picking, grapes and vineyards, kangaroos, whales, dolphins and sharks. Can we truly see a million stars at night or is there haze at times? Can we engaged in sports?

Many Singaporean retirees travel to Perth each year. This include a number of SilverHairsClub members who live in Perth. What is it like to live in Perth? Or in any other city. Share your thoughts and comments.

Or from your mobile, whatsapp and join the group.

Terence Seah

The 1st retirement evaluation trip to Chiangmai 22 – 29 Mar 2018. We have closed participation for this 1st trip with about 20 pax.

The 2nd evaluation trip is Thur 3 May to 9 May 2018. Interested, you can join the 2nd evaluation trip. Strictly for SilverHairsClub members only.

From your mobile, you can WhatsApp SHC to register your interest in joining an evaluation trip to Chiangmai.

The trip aims to enable members to evaluate Chiangment as a retirement community and to assess other retirement locations, aged care venues, activities and facilities. This is not a sight seeing trip.

A few points:
1. Thai tourist visa, applied at Spore Thai embassy is 3 mths, free. You need to show return air tickets.

2. Scoot flies direct Sin/Chiangmai/Sin. Cost, less than SGD 300-350. So, you may want to book early.

3. Chiangmai will be used as the main venue and springboard to places in North Thailand.

4. Accommodation, we will be staying at a few identified places, within a 1 hr radius from Chiangmai city. We will stay at a Mae Rim resort.

5. Facilities planning will include local fresh markets, hospitals, pharmacies, Internet, parks, bus stations, lakes, night markets, local transportation.

6. For those with special interest eg cycling, walks, gardening, chickens, Thai cooking, herbs, fishing, do some research on the Internet. Let me know, and we try to accommodate.

So, please plan ahead. Do join the SHC Chiangmai retirement community, if you are interested. Register now for the 2nd retirement evaluation trip.

Terence Seah

The SHC Retirement evaluation trip to Chiangmai 22-29 Mar 2018 has triggered questions on how to fund the 3 mths overseas retirement, without digging into personal savings.

Besides discussion in the CM retirement evaluation trip, we are now planning a one day activity to hear from experts in realestate.

Bobby Bok is in the realestate business, and I have invited him to lead in discussions on “how to fund a 3 mth overseas retirement program”. Bobby is an active SilverHairsClub member, and is known to many members in the Club.

During this same activity, we shall also discuss CPF life monthly payout. Together with Jassmine Teo, the topic on CPF life payout will be discussed further.

Venue, date and time have not be decided. If you are interested, please indicate your interest here. Seats limited. Strictly for SilverHairsClub members only.

Terence Seah

Advance information. After all the talk on retiring in Chiangmai, about time to put some action into plan.

We are organising a special trip to chiangmai, for members to Chiangmai, with the aim of assessing retirement locations, activities and facilities. The dates are 22 Mar to 29 Mar 2018 (fixed).

A few points:
1. Thai tourist visa, applied at Spore Thai embassy is 3 mths, free. You need to show return air tickets.

2. Kenneth Tan, our regular CM advisor, suggests Scoot flying direct Sin/Chiangmai/Sin. Cost, less than SGD 300. So, you may want to book early. This is non-holiday period.

3. This is not a tourist trip, as it is intended for members looking at Chiangmai as a retirement location. CM will be used as the central and springboard to places in North Thailand. We plan to live the Thai way.

4. Accommodation, we will be staying at a few identified places, within a 1 hr radius from Chiangmai city.

5. Facilities planning will include local fresh markets, hospitals, pharmacies, Internet, parks, bus stations, lakes, night markets.

6. For those with special interest eg cycling, walks, gardening, chickens, Thai cooking, herbs, fishing, ease do research on the Internet. Let me know, and we try to accommodate.

So, please plan ahead. Do join the SHC Chiangmai retirement group, if you are interested.

Terence Seah

This post is open to SilverhairsClub members and also members who are in the insurance business.  Feel free to share and comment.

Strictly, no URL, tel, video and invitations.  No copy and paste. You are allowed to mention the insurance company and your relationshio. Focused on travel and personal insurance only.  Not life, term plans.  Strictly for members discussions only.

SHC members are generally seniors, and at some stage do need travel and/or  personal accident insurance.  A discussion on this topic came up recently, and i thought it is a valuable topic to discuss.  A number of our members are in insurance.

During the trip planning $D3N to Bangkok next year, a lot of time and discussions were placed on taking insurance and which one to pick up.

So, what is the difference between taking a personal accident insurance and a travel insurance?  Personal accident insurance are usually valid for one year. So are annual travel insurance plans?  Can a PA insurance plan be valid for travel.

As a buyer, which plan do you have?, How much does it costs and what is your experience with claims?

Does anyone know if SHC can have a group accident insurance or travel insurance, similar to corporate accident insurance.

Strictly, no URL, tel, video and invitations.  No copy and paste. You are allowed to mention the insurance company. Focused on travel and personal insurance only.  Not life, term plans.  Strictly for members discussions only.

Terence Seah

Hi Silver Hair fellow brothers and sisters

I am holding a focus group discussion for individuals who are interested to retire in Thailand to talk about the needs and wants that are important to living in Northern Thailand.

Date : Sun, 15 Jan 2017, 2pm to 4.30pm.
Location : Blk 495C, Tampines St 43, #08-384, S522495.
Duration : 2.5 hours
Number of participants : 10

The following is the agenda.

1 What do you like about living in Singapore ?
2 What you do not like about living in Singapore ?
3 Do you think you will enjoy the same lifestyle in 2 years’ time and beyond if you choose to remain in Singapore ?
4 Team Presentation
5 If you are given a chance to retire in Thailand, what you must have and what you wish to have ?
6 Team Presentation
7 An example to illustrate the lifestyle you will have if you choose to live in Thailand
8 Q&A

Total participants : 10 max
Facilitator : 1

Light refreshments will be provided.
Please write to me on “hjwong29@singnet.com.sg” leaving your name and mobile number if you need any clarification. Thank you.

Regards

Hong Jeng

Participant list :
1. Terence Seah
2. Jassmine Teo
3. Stella Sheng
4. Jeffrey Lim
5. Zacman Chiam
6. Richard Lean
7. Lilian Teo
8. Bobby Bok
9. Daisy Wee
10.Theresa Seow
11.Ong Lin Lhim

Registration closed.

Direction to my place :
Take bus 293 from Tampines Bus Interchange, located next to Tampines MRT. There are 2 buses of 293. Take the one bus going to Tampines St45. Count 4 bus stops from Tampines Bus Interchange. Alight at Blk 493B. Look for Blk 495C behind bus stop.

     One of the most sought after activity after retirement is travelling.  Some of us are contented to say in Singapore; while others are forever looking out for near places to live their retirement. In the last two weeks, the Straits Times carried two articles on Perth and Western Australia.

For some members, their children are studying in one of Perth’s universities. For others, it is a golfing outing with friends.  Many just love the open air and wide space. Families may go there to see dolphines and whales.  And for others, a chance to own a 450 sq metre piece of land with a landed property at about AUD 450,000 freehold.

Some years ago, SilverHairsClub organised a homestay among Singaporean homes, enjoyed Fremantle and its wide and beautiful coastline, moved leisurely around Perth city, and mixed with the Singapore community.

Perth is 5 hours from Singapore, same time zone, and with Scoot, jetstar,
Quantas, Singapore airlines and Air Asia, many can buy their air tickets between S250 to 900 return. Hotels starts from AUD100, and rentals of an apartment or house are around AUD 450+ per week..  Car rentals are pretty cheap, and available at around AUD50-70 per day.  Coffee is expensive, at about AUD 4 per cup.  A single dish is big sized, and likely to cost AUD 10 – 18 each.

What are your experiences and considerations when it comes to holiday or retirement in Perth?  Share and discuss.

Terence Seah

S

     I was with a few friends in Petaling Jaya last night.  My Malaysian friends have retired; and we discussed life during retirement, and getting old. Many of my friends were fit; they play golf, and travel extensively. Two weeks ago, I attended the wake of a long time friend of mine who has been with me in the newspaper industry for almost 30 years.  He was only 55, and he suffered a stroke, I understood no one knew about it, until it was too late.

Many of us are alone at some times of the day.  As for me, I travel a lot, staying in hotel rooms most days in a year.  Well, I sleep alone most nights.  How I wish I had company every night; unfortunately it is not the case.  Guys, I swear by what I say.

Seriously, dont meant to joke about being alone.  But, many of us are alone at times, at home, in the office, while travelling or at an unknown or familiar place. Husbands, wives, girlfriends are not around to help or may have switched off their phones.  We may have a fall; we may sleep through and not wake up.  We could have locked the room door.  The chest was getting breathless and the pain was spreading.  We may have only 10 minutes; and we dont know what to do.  The only thing we have is our phone or smartphone.

Really, guys and gals, what would you do?

Terence Seah

(Click on the pictures for a bigger and clearer image)

I have always wondered what I will be doing on most days when I have difficulties in walking, when I am lonely and when I grow old.  My time will come.  But, not yet, I can still walk, I can still work, and I like to work for as long as my legs allow me. Of course, soon or later, I cannot work; but I want to keep myself active, and maybe do some volunteer work.  That’s if I have the money to live through my SilverHairs years.

A couple of days ago, I visited a privately-run  daycare centre in Australia. It has a size of about 400 sqm.  It opens Monday to Friday 10.30am to 3.00 pm.  The Daycare is run by some fulltime staff and some volunteers.  It has a good size kitchen that prepares food and drinks for the elderlies that come to the centre.

The Daycare has a program, with different activities each day eg singing, poetry, crafts, games, magic show, indoor golf, …..  The activities are organised by the full time staff.  The elderlies, all of them, require some help in moving around, and thus not bed-ridden.  The daycare accepts elderlies who are not suffering from contagious diseases, dimentia, and mental illnesses.  They live within a certain distance from the day-care and are picked up by a van driver from their residence. They arrive at the daycare at 10.30am each day, in a specially designed van.

The kitchen services the daycare and cooks the meal of the day, as well as prepares hot beverages and biscuits twice a day. The kitchen is run by a full time staff.  Volunteers assist in the kitchen, serves the elderlies and generally clean up the place after lunch.

While at the daycare, elderlies get to play games, learn a craft, enjoy singing, do some gardening and follow the program of the day.  Many elderlies are lonely and they do not want to stay at home.  Their children prefers they go out, keep active and mix with other friends. At the end of the day, the elderlies are happy, and look forward to meeting other elderlies on other days.

I spoke with the staff of the daycare centre.  The daycare employs some full time paid staff who administrates the centre, organises the activities and the daycare operation which includes picking up the elderlies from and to their homes.  The volunteers help with interacting with the elderlies, keeps the place clean and tidy and other odds and ends. The centre is self funded, and it survives based on collections from the elderlies.  At the end of each day, the centre collects between AUD 25 – 30 from the elderlies.  This includes home-daycare centre transfers, a main meal, two tea-breaks, activities and program as per published schedules, plus a healthy day interacting with other elderlies.

I am not sure if the daycare centre is privately owned or rented. But, I see it as located within a quiet residential community. The daycare pays for maintenance, lightings and water tilities and upkeep of the building.

I am not sure how daycare centres are operated in Singapore; but I see some silver linings in a daycare centre.

1. There are opportunities for seniors and elderlies to use the services of a privately daycare centre.
2. Full time seniors get to work and get paid in a daycare centre, not a home or a hospital.
3. Opportunities for seniors to volunteer some time to interact with elderlies who are lonely, chatty, fun and need someone to talk to.

I think each of us has a different vision of what we will do when we have difficulties walking, cannot leave our homes on our own or meet friends without assisted transport or feel lonely while our children are working to earn a living.  Many of our children would hope we can spend some time outside to get some fresh air, meet our regular friends and have our regular lunch.

Will you go to a Daycare centre and join its activities?

Terence Seah

SilverHairsClub developed its main objective to provide a platform for SilverHairs, over 45, to meet new and more friends. Over the last 9 years, we get to understand our objective better, and whether it has served our efforts.

The Council of Third Age recent survey revealed that many Singaporeans who have left full time work are not able to fulfil their leisure interests because they need to look after their family duties first.

Grand children to look after, keeping the house clean, get ready homecooked food and caring after an ageing family member.  Are you one of those who are unable to participate in SHC activities because you have family duties to do?  What percentage of your SHC friends do you know fall under this category?

Or are you within the 36-45% surveyed that say your reasons for non-participation in leisure activities are due to lack of money or because of age?  The survey added that most seniors prefer to keep to themselvces after they retired and may lack the courage to proactively intereact with others?

Come share your thoughts, even if you have been inactive?  What do you think?  What about you?  Make an effort to share your thots.

Terence Seah