Later retirement shouldn’t mean devoting your later life to work
Published on
08 Apr 2024
Published by
The Straits Times
Design a life you don’t need to retire from. Make time for new connections and community engagements that will keep you motivated even after your careers.
Adeline Tiah
Work forms a large part of our identity – no wonder, as we spend most of our waking hours there and interacting with colleagues.
We could soon be devoting more of our lives to our careers.
In July 2026, the retirement age will be raised from 63 to 64 years old, while the re-employment age will be raised to 69. By 2030, the retirement and re-employment ages will be increased to 65 and 70 respectively.
With Singaporeans living longer and manpower shortages in many sectors, the increase in retirement and re-employment ages makes sense as it also boosts individuals’ retirement adequacy.
However, working longer shouldn’t mean that we should forgo rediscovering the multifaceted aspects of our identity that may have been overshadowed by professional pursuits.
Work is only one dimension of life. Even while putting in the extra years at the workplace, it is important to establish social connections for that looming next phase of life. I say “next phase”, as retirement is not simply an end point. There’s no need to think, “Well, I devoted years to that job, and now my work life and purpose is over.”
It need not be a stage where you just refocus on having enough money for the retirement years that are left, or living longer, or having to reskill – but a time for new beginnings and seizing new opportunities.
Indeed, a recent McKinsey Health Institute survey of adults aged 55 and older across 21 countries showed that having purpose in life and meaningful connections were among the important factors for active ageing.
For many people, their careers define not just their livelihoods, but their very sense of self.
Transitioning away from the professions you have spent decades in can feel like the shedding of a big part of your identity – a daunting prospect that leaves us questioning who we are beyond our job titles.
It’s probably the reason some find it difficult to transition to other unfamiliar roles.
But our motivations in later life need not be dictated by the retirement age or our professions.
Finding purpose
We should move beyond seeing retirement as merely an end point, and instead seek opportunities to rediscover our passions and talents beyond our careers.
A retiree who left the public service after decades told me he was happy that he could finally wake up a little later and read the entire newspaper. Mr Rama Reddy, 70, even reignited his passion for cooking and was able to fulfil his dream to travel on the Amtrak across the US.
Though he missed the interaction with colleagues and the regular stream of income amid the rising cost of living, he still found ways to be socially engaged.
For instance, he is an active volunteer with the Yio Chu Kang sports network, a Citizen on Patrol with the Ang Mo Kio division and a member of the Citizens’ Consultative Committee. He has been volunteering since 2000, so the transition from a full-time job was seamless.
He works as a part-time security guard where he said he finds joy in meeting people and being able to exchange views on current affairs.
Another example of an active retiree is Ms Ong Ai Hua, who has been a volunteer at Dover Hospice for more than 13 years. This was while she was holding various leadership positions at pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.
By the time she retired from corporate roles at 55, she was serving on several boards and did pro bono mentoring. Today, she sits on the board of Dover Park Hospice and the Singapore Management University.
Her continuous involvement in the community and passion to serve the underprivileged and vulnerable has led her to a new role. In 2023, she was approached by the Singapore Public Service and joined the Ministry of Social and Family Development as deputy secretary.
Leaving the workplace doesn’t need to be dreaded as moving to a situation where you are isolated from a world that gave you meaning.
It’s a chance to deepen our connections and forge new relationships beyond the confines of the office.
Whether through volunteering, mentoring or joining social groups, we can nurture a vibrant community that enriches our lives and those around us.
By identifying their core values and purpose, individuals can embark on ventures that not only bring personal fulfilment, but also make a positive impact on their communities.
Leveraging skills
Even as our careers come to an end, the skills and experiences we’ve accumulated will remain invaluable assets.
Whether launching a start-up, pursuing creative endeavours or delving into philanthropy, our past achievements can serve as springboards for future success.
Mr Lee Han Kiat, who chose early retirement from multinational corporation IBM at 57, spent more than 30 years in an illustrious career chalking up over 1.6 million air miles.
For more than half of that time, he spent less than a week a month in Singapore. So leaving his job gave him more time with his family. Mr Lee also remained active in the community.
Today, he uses his experiences and knowledge to coach others and help them find their purpose after they leave their work or business. He also uses his experience and knowledge to advise owners of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Our worth is not measured by the roles we inhabit, but by the richness of our experiences and the depth of our connections.
As we redefine retirement for the modern age, with more years spent at work, how about shifting our focus from merely escaping the grind, to embracing a life of purpose, community and continuous growth?
This transition is an opportunity to craft a legacy that extends far beyond the boardroom. Let’s design a life we don’t need to retire from – a life of boundless possibilities and enduring significance.
Adeline Tiah is a leadership mentor and team coach, and founder of Soar Collective Asia, a coaching and mentoring practice.
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Reproduced with permission.
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