Ferrari Me (Ferrarilim)

 Just a lunch with my 2 colleagues few days ago, we discussed about: * Maribank Invest Income, its fund manager Aberdeen and Fund PICMO GIS Income Fund SGD Hedged, * Trust INCOME+ Funds, * Switching my LG500 portfolio with Endowus, * Surrendering my two Resale Wholelife Insurance, which I plan to be my "cash CI" policies coverage, * Maturing payout from my PrudSave in Aug 25, I managed to add $1,000 p.m. to my passive income! ~~~ How I achieve it? * Invest in TRUST Income+ portfolio which earns 6% p.a. ($100k x 0.06 = $6,000) * Recently invested Maribank Invest Income @4.5% p.a., ($25,000 × 0.045 = $1,125 * Stock which pays 4.5% p.a. dividend ($15,000 × 0.045) = $675 * Recently resale annuity payout of $4k p.a Total payout = $6000 + $1125 + $675 + $4000 = $11,800 --> $1,000 p.m. ~~~ My takeaway, 1. Repeat it for 5 years, I will add $5k p.m. for passive income.

What are the 5 digital banks license in Singapore? In 2025, MAS issued 4 Digital banks holding either of these licences are  * GXS Bank ,  * MariBank ,  * ANEXT Bank , and  * Green Link Digital Bank .  * However, Trust Bank  – a joint venture between Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) and FairPrice Group,2 holds a Full Bank Licence, despite operating as a fully digital bank. ~~~~ 1. Trust Bank Trust Bank serves retail customers with features that help with everyday savings. Its main product is a savings account with an interest rate of 2.22% p.a. - 4.22% p.a., and a credit card that offers savings on groceries and petrol (i.e. up to 21% savings at FairPrice and up to 20% savings at Caltex). 2. GXS Bank GXS Bank in Singapore offers banking solutions for gig economy workers and students. Their Savings Pockets feature for the GXS Savings Account works like a mini fixed deposit, with the potential to earn a higher interest rate of up to 2.68% p.a., accrued d...

My Endowment payout tap 1. For past 13 years, I have bought 25 endowments policies since 2011.  The larger payout started from 2022, paying me ~$38k p.a. about $3k p.m. till age 84. 2. Think it is enough from this Endowment Tap. ~~~ Stock Tap 3. Separately I have also built up my Dividend/Trading income through Stocks, local n foreign.  To-date, this equity stream gives me ~$50k p.a. 4. Now I will be focussing on building up this portfolio.  My next Chapter is to focus more on local stocks; bank & REITS. I am aiming to SINGLY achieve a dividend payout of $5k ~ $6k p.m. before I retire. ($60k to $70k p.a.) 5. So, what are my key stocks holding to-date? - VENT, Maybank, MPACT, LION-PHILIPS S-Reit, GLI, CDG. 6. Someone once told me that he bought an assortment of stocks to spread out the risk from a particular sector.   Lol. He might as well buy STI-ETF. But then, it's dividend is only a pale 4% p.a. at best.   Sharing... 7. One guru who built up his ...

  Almost Scammed 1. This week I received a missed local mobile call.   Didn't expecting any thing amiss, not a foreign number, I returned the call. 2.  The lady identified as staff of DBS, suspecting that my Takashimiya credit sub-card incurred two transactions which might be scammed. 3.  I further checked that no one in my family used this card.  4. Upon their checking,  the two transactions were $1200 & $1300 to KuCoin!  Maybe possible as I ever registered in a Coin account, CoinBase few years ago. 5.  The caller even asked me to lodge police report.  I asked for their credit card number, address, my email registere with them.  None was mine.  All wrong inputs. 6. I was careful not to give further info like correct my email, address ...  I asked them to send me info through my Whatsapp, which is my handphone. 7.  These calls were made on my way to lunch and during lunch.  My hands were then on the curry cra...

  Sharing1 : This week, I met a couple who shared their main investment is solely into properties, nothing else.. no stock, no endowment. His only insurance is Incomeshield H&S As-charged. I didn't ask about his CPF as it is our first meeting. He seems to be older than me; his hair is long and fully grown white. His wife looks younger than me. Double income, no children and they are still working. I asked "why are they still working and not yet retired?" His Reply: He finds retirement boring and leisure coffeeshop chats meaningless. My takeaway: 1. Perhaps, we have worked too long to know how to rest deservedly? 2. Bequest to who, better to spend and die-with-zero? (since no children) ~~~ Sharing2 : This week I also chatted with a 66yo Senior who is also working full time, very active in sports and spending his weekends with his toddler grand-daughter. My 2 observations: 1. Because of his active lifestyle, his arms are so dry; I wouldn't tell if they are mould gro...

March 2025 Update, my ventures into stock 1. Past few months, I invested more than $250k in local and overseas stocks; combination of cash, SRS & CPF. 2. These add $19k to the annual dividend，average yield is 6%+ p.a., based on their last yield of the company dividend distributed. 3. With opportunistic stock trading gain, I made $16k, so far. This adds $3k p.a. to my passive income for this year. In such depressed volatile stock market and anticipated GE2025, hopefully we can find opportunistic buy/sell. ~~~ * My own observation only* 4. * REITS * are weak to gain capital gains. REITS are good to buy at badly depressed like recent, for good dividends.  Hopefully it will rise in opportunistic sell to take profit. Even their prices were to drop, we just to collect dividend, for another good time.   5. How to spot time to buy? Look for results, watch for blood in the REITS markets. When Gurus lament at their portfolio. 6. In SG, MAS mandatory guidelines is to distrib...

I follow CPF Wealth Tree posting... on his CPF Wealth growth. From 2020 (age 59), CPF: $1.592M,   now 2025 (age 64), CPF: $2.235M!! $643k increase!! I guess how it was increased: * ERS @2025: $117k * Annual interest: ~$60k x 5 = $300k (total for 5 years) * Yearly SAMARA topup: ~($10k + $3k + $10k) x 5 ~ $115k Total increase: $117k + $300k + $115k = $532k !! ~~~ In other words, just follow to do these few things: * max ERS annually * max VC3AC annually One's CPF can grow to ~$500k in 5 years!! https://t.me/c/1808759495/3762

  Buying a 2nd property as investment 1. Someone shared that he bought a ~$1M condo 5 years ago, and did not take any loan.   2. Now the condo is worth ~$1.4M on market. 3. He did not rent out his condo. 4. By quick calculation of e-profit should he sell, ave gain works out to be 5% p.a., (after less Stamp duty, MCST, Buy n Sell Fees; not considering Furnishing). I wonder if it is better to invest in other investment that gives 5% or higher? My takeaway 1. If one owns a 2nd property, it is better to consider renting it out for higher net return.  (Choice of tenant is an important consideration). 2. Maybe he should have considered not fully paid his condo for high yield; subject to loan interest.  (The longer loan tenure, the higher loan interest.)

 Today we celebrated one colleague 55th Birthday.  Amazingly focused.  He max his CPF-RA at $426k, topup using is OA account. With it, he will have CPFLIFE Payout at $3,300 p.m. STD plan at age 65, or $3,000 p.m. BASIC plan. ~~~ If coupled, their combined CPFLIFE payout would be $6,000 p.m. at age 65. ~~~ My advice to him : * Continue to keep topping up his RA annually to his ERS yearly. This will grow his CPFLife payout. ~~~ Lamentations : During my time at age 55, if I were allowed to topup to max ERS $426k!!!  I would have reached $650k @age 65. My time was $264k ERS in 2019 then.  It has grown to more than $500k now.

 https://t.me/PropNexPropertyNewsUpdate/7512 Part 1:  The article says $1.2M for retirement; translates to $5,000 p.m. for 20 years; from age 65 to 85. Accounting for 3% inflation scenerio, After year-10 into retirement @age 75, assume 3% p.a. inflation: $3,720×1.03^(10) = $5,000 pm Real retirement value would be $3,720 per pax monthly, from Year 10. Think still look good ~~~ Part 2 : (if invested $1.2M into a 5% return) For $1.2M portfolio, if it can generate a 5% p.a. dividend or return, the passive income would be $60,000 p.a (or $5,000 p.m.). Effectively, one achieves a Permanent Money Machine (PMM); Bequest: $1M. ~~~ err : If invest in CPF-RA with $650k @age 65, delay payout till age 70 From real example, one can achieve close to $5,000 p.m. (BASIC Plan) if delay his CPF RA payout till age 70. .

 Still thinking as I am walking... Investor2: invested $1M in CPF-SA over 33 years.  It maybe for couples or for your 2 to 3 children scenerio: If I invested in CPF-SA with $1,000,000!! of course we can't. But to scale up for illustration: (($1,000,000×1.04^33) - $1,000,000) over 33 years = $2,648,000 <<--- net gain from compounded SA balance. - At 4% risk free interest. - After 33 years, based on 4% p.a. interest, compounded over 33-years. - SA Balance grows to $3.65M !! Average effective yield = (($1,000,000×1.04^(33)) −$1,000,000)÷$1,000,000×100 ÷33 = *8% p.a. (from our CPF-SA)* ~~~~ Comparing your $2.5M vs $2.65M, maybe our SA is slightly more powerful. Result: Average amortised yield: Stockist: 2.85% p.a. CPFist: 8% p.a.

Thinking aloud... see if I am correct. This illustration of stock investing with no-sell button versus putting money in our CPF-SA account. OVER 33 YEARS. Investor1 : Stock portfolio, $1M over 33 years, no-sell button: 1. Your Stocks portfolio maybe $2.5M, but many stocks, esp banks, have risen so much and these dividends are reinvested to build up $2.5M, assume. Your Principal invested = $1M. 2. To-date, your coupled annual dividend is $100,000 p.a. 3. Over the span of your 40-years investing, no SELL button, assume that you started your stock investment from Age 30. 4. Total no. of years in market: 33 5. Average yield over 33 years: 1,000,000×(1.0285^(33) = $2.5M, average yield = 2.85% p.a. 6. Real Minion: Capital gain: $2.5M - $1M = $1.5M or   average amortised gain = $1,500,000÷$1,000,000×100% / 35 = 4.5% p.a.  *Effective yield = 2.85% p.a.* That's compare with PART2 of someone who invested solely in CPF-SA for same 33-years.

 Please see video in link below.  On speaker take on using CPF Fund after age 55. He mentioned 2 investment possibility: 1. Payout from Annuity ILP 2. Payout from MSCI ETF  On MSCI: He encourages investing in MSCI. Here is comparison of MSCI vs S&P500. Ah Loo wins. ~~~ On ILPs: He discourages investing in annuity ILPs, comparing Prud n AIA ETF returns. But he may have missed the points, talking long term 20 to 30 years returns. Since inception, both returns are 2%+ to 3+%, and funds incur fees charges. My Takeaway: I ever spoke with people Ah Laus who bought these ILPs;  They (Ah Laus) bought because: * Annual payout promises 6% to even 8% p.a. (better than OA 2.5% or SA 4%).   * Even if long term payout drops to 4%, it is still better than SA interest rate!. * They are looking at Bequest payout of 100.01% principle guaranteed.  * They are aware their units will drop, perhaps to even by 50%! due to annual payout from their units. No matter, the Principl...

 https://blog.seedly.sg/retirement-scheme-comparison-cpf-epf-mpf-401k/ *Good keep info.* Compare: SG CPF, MY EPF, USA 401K,  HK MPF One Gen-Y who was savvy in foreign equity replied: UK's market rate seems to be X = 5%, Y =10%, average annual return was 7% for the last 5 years. It sets me putting numbers to compare. ~~~ Thinking of comparing putting *$1,000* in a newborn baby in: * CPF-SA @5%  till his age 65. $1,000 ×(1.05^65) = *$23,800* * S&P500: now hit: 5,999 $1,000×(1.143^65) = $5,929,000 !! average return: 14.3% p.m. ~~~~ My takeaway: 1. Even a $1,000 in moomoo account for a newborn, might be a game-changer for him.

Knowing our North Neighbour: Retiring in MY. https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/737967 ~~~ Merry MY boleh😘🎄🌲. * aim for " basic " RM390,000 savings by 60. (Drawdown:  RM1,625 p.m.) * “ adequate ” savings of RM650,000 by 60yo. (Drawdown: RM2,708 p.m.) * “ enhanced ” savings of RM1.3 million by 60yo. (Drawdown: RM5,416 p.m.) ~~~ EPF retirement 20-year drawdown payout: * adequate savings of RM650,000 (which works out to RM2,708 per month for 20 years) ~~ A senior citizen living in: * Klang Valley, KL: need RM2,690 p.m. *  Georgetown, Penang: RM2,620 p.m. * Johor at RM2,500 per month * Alor Setar, Kedah: RM2,160 p.m. Sharing: 1. I ever asked a MY working in SG, about retiring with S$3,000 p.m. in SG. Her answer was: Difficult in SG. 2.  Then I asked again about having RM10,000 p.m retiring in MY.  Without hesitation, her reply was: "Definitely can!!" ~~~ 3. For a SG retiree with CPFLife payout: S$3,000 p.m, or S$3,000×3.2 = RM9,600 p.m. After paying rental, one can ret...

 Chinese idioms. Today I learn a new Chinese Idiom that says about being humility. 山中无老虎，猴子也争王 Translates to: If there were no tigers in the mountains, even the monkeys want to fight for the throne. ~~~ When one knows that there are many out-there who are far better than you have or you are, you would be humbled. The richer one is, the more humble he will be. ~~~ It is always good to have a rest day to reflect about life and see blessedness.

Someone bought a SingLife Endowment at age 48. * Pay $35.5k per year for 8 years, total premiums paid: $286,000. * At age 65, payout: $38.5k p.a. x 10 years. Premium: $286k ---> Payout: $385k * Age 48 to 55yo: 8 years premium term * Wait for 9 years, * Age 65 to 74, Payout over 10 yrs Total: 27 years policy ~~~~ Comparing with my Social Entreprise NTUC REVORETIRE: Premium paid: $12k x 5 years = $60k Payouts: $9.5k p.a. x 10 years = $95k Premium: $60k --->> Payout: $95k * Age 55 to 59yo: 5 years premium term * Wait for 7 years, * Age 66 to 75, Payout over 10 yrs Total: 22-years Thinking aloud, 1. His Singlife might have a 10th/11th year maturity payout sum.  Otherwise, his Singlife endowment return is not so good compared with Social Entreprise INCOME.  2. If his premium were to invest in REVORETIRE, his payout might have been more than $50k p.a. for 10-years ? (I roughly extrapolate based on my policy) My takeaway 1.  All roads lead to Rome.  Any approach t...

  How to generate another RA tap? Savings have to be deliberate intention and discipline; putting aside the money or reinvest the cashback and let it compound. My learning from my colleague single policy: *Single $100k @6% (quite decent dividend/interest) put aside for 20year. a. $100k×(1.06^(20) = $320k maturity sum b. Then withdraw it over next 20-years; $100k×(1.06^(20)÷(20×12) = $1.33k p.m.  It gives $1.33k p.m. every month for 20-years. c. My colleague chose to save $280k total !! age 48 to 55yo.  He started late and hence shorter runway to compound. *$280k ×(1.05^(10)÷(10×12) = $3.8k p.m.  But it is still good to enjoy $3.8k p.m. from 65 yo to 75yo. My Takeaway 1. Be it any saving instrument, stocks or endowment or CPF-SA, build up and reinvest or compound it, the principle sum has to be of bigger sum like $200k or $300k portfolio. (The bigger the better, just no quick return and get scammed.) Small portfolio, small outcome.

 Someone shares on using OA to buy lifetime annuity which pays 7% p.a, and principal guaranteed upon bequest. I adds this illustration: $100k ×(0.07−0.025)=$4.5k p.a. extra = $375 p.m. extra $200k ×(0.07−0.025)=$9k p.a. extra = $750 p.m. extra $300k ×(0.07−0.025)=$13.5k p.a. extra = $1,125 p.m. extra Actually it may not a bad idea.  But do our/your own research and decision. My takeaway: 1.  It maybe easily for Seniors to invest our OA in it, if they intend to keep the invested amount for bequest. 2.  Too long runway may result in regrets if one needs urgent cash and its portfolio drops its value to surrender.  Sure drop in value one as no free lunch.

 Just participated this Helios comprehensive Nation-wide Health Survey (SG 100K).  Solid 5- hour screening. End of study, results will be provided + $50 cash. Urine, BP, BMI Blood， DXA Bone Density (leg to neck) - new to me 3D-eye screening - new to me Cognitive Test. Carotid Ultrasound - new to me Hearing - new to me Treadmill Skin assessment. ~~ Carotid ultrasound , also known as a carotid duplex, is a painless, noninvasive procedure that uses sound waves to examine the carotid arteries and blood flow in the neck. ~~~ Leg BP The BP measurement tends to be more accurate, as compared with usual health screenings or general GP.  3 sets of results were taken. Interesting, first time having my leg BP measured. Leg BP measurement can be an alternative when brachial BP measurement is impractical, due to injury or disability. Findings suggest that systolic BP (SBP) is 17 mm Hg higher in the leg than the arm. ~~~ Feel free to register online. I have to wear a smart watch 24...

  Fun with Meta AI. How to build a passive income of $50,000 with $1M? Building a passive income stream of $50,000 with a $1 million investment requires strategic planning and diversification. Here's a potential plan: *Investment Allocation* 1. *Dividend-paying Stocks*: Invest $300,000 in established companies with a history of paying consistent dividends (4-6% yield). This can generate $12,000 - $18,000 in annual dividend income. 2. *Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)*: Allocate $250,000 to REITs, which can provide a 4-8% annual return. This can generate $10,000 - $20,000 in annual income. 3. * Peer-to-Peer Lending*: Invest $150,000 in a diversified P2P lending portfolio, earning 6-8% interest annually. This can generate $9,000 - $12,000 in annual income. 4. *Index Funds or ETFs*: Invest $100,000 in a diversified index fund or ETF, earning an average annual return of 4-6%. This can generate $4,000 - $6,000 in annual income. 5. *Real Estate Crowdfunding*: Invest $50,000 in r...

Few days ago, I happened to meet my JC cohort.  I remembered that I ever saw her at Bkt Batok some 15~20-years ago.   While I did not chat with her, she seemed to be a full-time housewife bringing up her children then. Fast forward now, she just stood behind me in the food queue.    This time we chatted.   I was correct that she quit her job after 5-years to look after her 4 children. That day she was returned from NUH awaiting for her eldest daughter age 33yo delivery her first child. A grandmother soon.  I am happy for her.  ~~~ Long story short, her hubby is a full-time church staff, her elder son is budding Pastor. ~~~ I didn't want/wish to find out their retirement plans then.  Maybe got to wait for another 15~20-years to chat again? Sometimes this is opportunity.  Once over, one would have to wait or guess.

Dream on, wake up from reality? 1. I did a quick survey and pose a question to see people' reactions? 2. My question: "If one's passive retirement income "singly" can achieve $16k p.m. (or $190k p.a.)? 3. I saw surprised reactions: * some asked if one really needs so much to retire?  * few just lol. * few said it's impossible. 4. In one APEX webinar, passive income can be categorised as: * Core Portfolio (fixed income stream) * Satellite Portfolio (variable) 5. Either or both can constitute to the whole retirement passive income. 6. Everyone can set some realistic or dream target to work on it. Better aim then aimless. ~~~~ 7. For example, Core Portfolio (income stream) *CPFLife payout: $3k p.m. *CPF interest: $2k p.m. *Endowment + FD: $3k p.m. ($36k p.a.) *SRS payout: $1.5k p.m. ($18k p.a.) Satellite Portfolio (variable) *Rental income: $1.5k p.m. *Stock Dividend/Trading: $5k p.m. Total: $16k p.m. ($190k p.a.) ~~~~ My takeaway: 1. Set some realistic num...

 https://sg.news.yahoo.com/invested-10-000-st-engineering-100000695.html In 2014 , if you have invested $10,000 in ST-Engineering shares. In total, you would have received S$1.52 per share in dividends over 10 years. Based on the 2,500 shares that you own, you would receive S$3,800 in dividends. These dividends would have yielded a 38% gain over your original investment sum of S$10,000. Together with the capital gain mentioned above, you would enjoy a 51.5% gain over a decade which translates to a total gain of 4.2% per year. ~~~ My takeaway: 1. Hindsight wisdom. 2. But, let I check: * Anyway, depending when you bought it, its share fluctuated; say $3.70. * Now $4.72.  Increases by (4.72-3.7)/3.7 × 100% = 27% (no such 51% gain !!) 3. But one certainty about putting into CPF SA to earn 4%!! $10,000×(1.04^(10)) = $14,800 ($14.8k-$10k)/$10k * 100% = 48%.  Our SA did earn 48% if you invested 10-years ago. 4.  Even my INCOME SAIL-SP Policy paid $20k to get $29.9k in 10-...

Someone recently said that ILP n Endowments are no longer attractive.  I agree with him. But I am not so sure of indexed UL ILP which tracks the S&P500.  If hold till death, its bequest payout is good. I would say that it depends how savvy one uses the investment: 1. Disciplined form of forced savings which we otherwise may not be able to accumulate diligently. 2. Just another passive income tap, better than FD.  3.  RESALE W/LIFE plans > For me, I bought resale wholelife plans from young Assured person; solely from INCOME, to save as Cash "Critical Insurance" payout if needed when I surrender.  >These W/Life plans already cost breakeven based on their current actual Surrender Value (SV).  Their SV arestill tracking their projected SV Table based on the updated BI when I bought over the policies. >If I buy CI, its premiums are sinking fund, but I can still cash-out my premiums which adds to the SV. (not that I have choice, at my age, CI riders ...

  Part 2: Should I put money in my children SA? On far longer horizon, 50-years!! Effective very long-term compounded SA interest rate is 12%.  (1×(1.04^(50)−1)÷50×100 = 12%!! I wouldn't say risk-free for no one can predict the CPF future in next 50-years !!! In other words, $1 ---> $12 (after 50-years) $100,000 ---> $1,200,000 (after 50-years)!! ~~~ Critics may ask if CPF would still be around? I will reply if CPF would be around to pay us 4% p.a. for next 20-years?

  Investment perspective of OA & SA One colleague shared his view on the breakeven return rate for the below: 1. Should we invest using SA? 2. Should we invest using OA? ~~~ 1. Should we invest using SA? To assess if an investment is viable, we check SA @4% p.a compounded for 10-years. 10-year effective SA compounded interest: (1×(1.04^(10 years)−1)÷10 years ×100% = 4.8% p.a. In other words, for 10-year compounded at 4% p.a., for SA pays an effective rate of 4.8% p.a. ! Risk Free. Not many investment can guarantee payout @4.8% p.a My Takeaway: 1. Keep your SA balance in CPF.  Don't invest with it. I wouldn't. ~~~~ 2. Should we invest using OA? To assess if an investment is viable, we check 0A @2.5% p.a compounded for 10-years. 10-year effective OA compounded interest: (1×(1.025^(10 years)−1)÷10 years ×100% = 2.8% p.a. In other words, for 10-year compounded, for OA pays an effective rate of 2.8% p.a. ! Risk Free. Are there many investment which can guarantee payout @2.8% ...

 I spoke with few from my cohorts on their use of their OA: 1. REIT . I bought REITs. Small bites for now. (But firstly, with my T-bills maturing in Nov 24, I can invest ~$100k from my srs) 2. ILP . One invested almost all OA into Annuity; he mentioned AIA; 3. ANNUITY . One in Prudential product, maybe not all OA Balance. 4. OA . Few still keep in OA, to earn 2.5% 5. STOCK . One already invested all in local stocks as dividends. He mentioned Banks n Reits. 6. CASH . One withdrew all and self-invest. 7. PROPERTIES . One withdrew to buy properties for children. 8. O/S EDUCATION . One finances his children overseas education. 9. CASH . One was told to withdraw all in CPF as he was no longer a SG, including his RA Balance. 10. LG500 ETF . One couple is all into Endowus LG500!! 11. O/S PROPERTY . One invested in MY property. Caveat : OA balance has to put aside bare minumum sum of $20k which cannot be invested or withdraw. My takeaway : 1. Thanks to the enabling CPF for our retire...

  Mindset of a retiree Happened to be at Vivo City Audi Roadshow yesterday; saw this middle-range A6 price at $289k. Wonder if you are a retiree: * 1. Die-with-zero with no kids. * 2. YOLO with kids. * 3. I am there, matter of fact. * 4. I am not there * 5. Me no licence * 6. Too old to drive already * 7. Keeping up with my neighbours * 8. I don't need a car * 9. Me ? any practical reliable car * 10. I am chauffeurred * 11. Me? Grab-hirer .  Oops. * 12. Me? Poor health to drive. Which would you identify to be ?

Interest earned from Medisave account Medisave BHS @2024 = $71,500 assume @4% p.a. interest = $71,500 × 0.04 = $2,860 p.a. earned Premiums deducted from my Medisave: *1:My Enhanced Incomeshield+ As-Charged rider premium is already S$5.6k for next year. Cash premium = $4,046 p.a. * * Medisave deducted = $1,639 p. a. *2: Medishieldlife for my next year @age 61~65 premium = $1,131 p.a. (= 1131/2860 × 100% = 40% deducted) * 3: CareShieldLife premium of $898 p.a. (for 10 years period) Total premium deduction from my Medisave = $1,639 + $1,131 + $898 = $3,668 p.a. (expenses) ~~~ Takeaway #1: Net interest earned = $2,860 - $3,668 = -$808 p.a. In summary, my MA balance was reduced by $808 p.a. ~~~ Takeaway #2: Instead of feeling sad, I am cautiously glad that I topup with cash $3,668 p.a. to max BHS again. This topup reduces my personal earned income tax. Takeaway #3: Don't ever think that annual interest earned from MA can overflow into your OA for OA Withdrawal. Unknowingly, you actua...

  Sharing: Would you invest in CPF OA for mere 2.5%? 1. From next year 2025 , those aged 55 yo or above will have their SA account closed and their SA balance will be transferred to OA. 2. By age 55, unless you hack your SA previously to use your OA or Cash to meet the FRS limit for RA account, your SA balance (after zooped to form RA account upon aged 55), maybe left with $100k+- nett). 3. Of course, there will be peoples who are unable or not choose to even meet RA FRS limit. 4.  For me, this SA account closing is a good news for the "good mental": * It stops SA hacking. * It makes CPF OA/SA withdrawal easier .  No need to be bothered with order of withdrawal amount in order that the CPF SA balances are not reduced. * It makes using OA investment easier .  Any dividend or OA interest made can be withdrawn as retirement passive income tap. * It succumbs many to withdraw their OA balance to buy: ** Insurance annuity that: - offers "capital guarantee upon death"...

  Removal of CPF-SA after age 55 from Jan 2025.  All its balance will be absorbed into the OA. 1. Though it is not my choice to see my SA balance absorbed into my OA next Jan 2025, and hence we will earn lesser SA interest of 4.08%. 2. Somehow it makes our OA withdrawal easier and not bounded to be bothered how to max cash drawdown from OA, without affecting our SA balance. 3. Contrary, it liberates me/some.  One can simply withdraw at ease from OA balance.  One can simply withdraw the OA interest + Dividend + return make in 2025, retaining the OA balance. 4. OA balance becomes our opportunistic account to time-the-market" buy into equity.  Make the profit or dividend from it, then withdraw them as passive income when we retire. E.g. If one withdraws from OA $500k for investment @5%, it earns $25k! Another retirement Tap without touching our OA balance. And addition from RA max annually at its ERS, one can enjoy a guaranteed monthly payout of at least $3k p.m. s...

 1. My sharing on my layered 20 endowments: a. For the past 10-years, I have been building up about $600k worth of endowments to supplement my Retirement Income base. I started the Endowment Chapter in 2011 at age 47.  (The same year that I also embark from my health regime and clocked 4 full Marathons in 10 years.) b. And 10-year later, this Endowment Chapter is yielding results. Starting from 2022 at age 58, my layered endowments have and will be paying my lifelong cash payouts. Last year was $40k,  This year payout is $70k. Next year onwards will continue to give me $40k+ p.a. , not including annual cashback reinvestment of $12k per year over next 6 ~ 8 years. This endowment payout will give me a stable average $4k p.m. of retirement income when I retire. c. For now, likely I will taper off my Endowments Chapter. One thing about nibbling into endowments, it gives me time and investment maturity & clarity for next portfolio.    d. I supposed that one can...

Which insurance company is best in Singapore? NTUC Income and Great Eastern top YouGov's brand equity ranking of insurers in Singapore across 2023. Ranking of major insurance companies in Singapore : NTUC Income was viewed most positively by consumers over the past 12 months. It achieved the highest Index score (26.5) – an overall measure of brand health, calculated as the average of its Impression, Quality, Value, Corporate Reputation, Customer Satisfaction and Recommendation scores. NTUC Income (26.5), Great Eastern (23.6), AIA (16.9), Prudential (16.2), Singlife (9.8), Manulife (8). ~~~ https://business.yougov.com/content/48445-yougov-brand-equity-ranking-2023-singapore-insurance ~ My Endowment Policies purchased: Income: 8 GE: 7 Prud: 2 Singlife-Aviva: 3 Mn: 3 TM:1 This type of Insurance Ranking survey is detrimental to the poor performers; and a wake-up call to up the ranking.

  Sharing #1 - Yolo Life Just watched a Netflix Award Winning Chinese short 2-hr movie, " Yolo ". Worth watching. 100%🏆 I highly recommended this show; esp for children who is low-esteemed and desire for a meaningful life purpose. The pretty lady director took on herself 2 years to prepare the Lead Role. ~~~~ Sharing #2 - Ordinary who does the Extraordinary Last week reported news of a passing away of an old colleague who is my cohort. He died in during his Europe holiday.   I remembered his dearly as one who well provided for his family; saved enough to give his children each a private condo. He would share his "quiet retiree mode" weekends with his children and cycling/hiking. My condolences of his passing; where ordinary people do extra ordinary things for his family. ~~~ Sharing #3 - Styrofoam Cup In a USA Leadership Summit, a ex-Under Secretary of Defence shared of his Job being that of a Styrofoam Cup.   We are respected by our job appointment and acc...

  Fun with SRS 1. Why SRS saving?   Putting some reality scenario helps. Each year savings: * Topup SRS yearly: $15,300 * Tax saving @10% bracket + Div %5% * Daily meal (bf + lunch): $12 By year-1 SRS saving: ((15,300×0.05)+(15,300×0.1))÷(12)÷365 = 6mth free daily meal (bf n lunch: $12 ) By year-2 SRS saving: ((15,300×0.05x2)+(15,300×0.1))÷(12)÷365 = 7mth free daily meal (bf n lunch) By year-3 SRS saving: ((15,300×0.05x3)+(15,300×0.1))÷(12)÷365 = 9mth free daily meal (bf n lunch) By year-4 SRS saving : ((15,300×0.05x4)+(15,300×0.1))÷(12)÷365 = 12-mth free daily meal (bf n lunch) By year-5 SRS saving: ((15,300×0.05x5)+(15,300×0.1))÷(15)÷365 = 7mth free daily meal (bf n lunch: $15 ) ~~~ 2. Before age 45, * personal tax bracket not high, * salary not high , * commitment high 3. E.g. Age 45 to 54 By Year-10 , total SRS savings : $15,300 x 10 = $153,000 E.g. Age 55 to 64 By Year-20 , total SRS savings: $15,300 x 10 = $306,000 ~~~~ 4. Retire at age 65: Cash Drawdown for age 65 t...

 https://theinvestquest.com/resale-endowment-policies-higher-projected-returns-with-shorter-time-to-maturity/ Good article of Resale Endowments.

Last Sat at food market, I chatted with 4 seniors in the late 60s to early 70s.   From their mannerism n speaking, one can tell that they are well educated and held important roles before their retirement. Two were seen with walking stick, with one suffering from Parkinson. From web search, I noted that one was a ex-Director in a MNC. My takeaway : 1. 70-yo age tier may reveal our chance of longevity, mobility & mental health state. 2. We still have 10-years to work on it. 3. Do we mind having online public traces of ourselves ? We took a group photo. One of them requested me not to post onto online media.

My Takeaway: 1. As the 25yo is a long runway to protect, it may be worthwhile to Surrender the Manulife Wholelife policy, and topup to buy SingLife-Aviva (but minimum assured: $500k) Why would I consider switching or Surrender ManuLife Whole/Life? 2. I compare Surrender Value of Wholelife Insurance for INCOME & Manulife: > Manulife drops its SV from projected $39k to $29k @25yo. > INCOME SV remains unchanged as illustrated in initial buy. 3. INCOME CI though limited pay premium, it gives x3.5 coverage from age 25 to 70 at $350k CI, its total lifetime premium is most expensive. 4. SingLife-Aviva offers best CI value, one should not put all into one basket. Imagine the insurer collapses during her lifetime! 5. Early CI coverage is expensive. Afternote: 1. I realised that her Manulife w/life @Year25 has already achieved cost breakeven!  Total Premium paid: $24.2k Net SV @25yo: $29k 2. It may be worthwhile to be $1M wholelife policy which offers Lifetime CI rider.  ...

  Critical Illness (CI) coverage 1.   Three things I consider when buying Termlife CI: a. Coverage duration: b. Lifetime annual or total premium c.  Late or early stage CI coverage Others: d. CI list coverage e. Got Cashback / SV ? f.  Multi-stage Coverage 2.  I compare cost, upto age 85yo coverage duration: - FWD TermLife CI, - INCOME Ltd Pay VivoLife, - SingLife-Aviva TermLife CI. - MANULIFE W/Life insurance w CI (99yo) rider For a 25yo assured as illustration, 1. FWD TermLife CI: $40.60 p.m. fixed premium Total lifetime premium cost: $40.60 × 12 x (85-25) = $29.23k 2. INCOME Ltd Pay 10yo TermLife CI VivoLife: Total lifetime premium cost: $411 x 12 x (35-25) = $49.14k 3. SingLife-Aviva TermLife CI MyProtector: Lifetime lock-in annual premium:$21.20 p.m. Total lifetime premium cost: $21.20 x 12 x (85-25) = $15.26k 4.  ManuLife Wholelife insurance, with CI rider: Lock-in monthly premium: $80.50 p.m. Total lifetime premium cost: $80.50 x 12 x (85-25)...

Diferences between NETS PayWave and NETS FlashPay - NETS PayWave is a contactless payment method linked to your bank account, while NETS FlashPay is a stored-value card that can be topped up. - NETS PayWave is accepted globally, while NETS FlashPay is mostly used in Singapore. - NETS PayWave has better rewards, while NETS FlashPay is more convenient for public transport and retail purchases. - NETS PayWave requires a PIN or signature, while NETS FlashPay transactions are typically capped at SGD 100. ~~~~ - NETS PayWave is linked to your bank account, while NETS FlashPay is a prepaid card.

 1. My Singnet Home Fiber Broadband Services ends today (11Jun 24) Today my Home Singnet Fiber Broadband was officially terminated. (End of monthly payment cycle) I have since been using 200GB Mobile Hotspot in place of my Singtel Home Fiber Broadband from 1 Jun 24. My SIMBA home broadband has been running for 10 days @200GB $12/month on 5GB @150Mbps download speed. As at yesterday, Estimated data usage: 80GB out of 200GB.(Day 11) Initially my D2 complained about 2-bar Signal strength.  But I relocated my phone to beside her bedroom, she is now receiving 4-bar signal. ~~~~ 2. MYSINGNET email account My SINGNET.COM.SG account which served me since 1996 was terminated this morning on 11 Jun 2024. Not to worry, I have successfully updated easily: * Local n Overseas Banks on my NEW email. * Affected utility & other services provided. * Singpass new email also updated. ~~~ 3. Choice of Portable Mobile Router Yesterday at Xiaomi Roadshow, I was recommended: - TP-Link M7200 @$89...

 * Coast FIRE * is a variation of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, which advocates saving intensively and retiring early. Similarly, Coast FIRE involves * front-loading your retirement savings, but with the goal of stopping saving at a certain point and letting your investments grow until they are enough to fully fund * your retirement at the traditional retirement age of 65 or so. * Barista FIRE * is a branch of the FIRE movement where you still save aggressively towards retirement. But instead of quitting work full stop and living off of your investments, you * save until you reach the point where you only need to work part-time * (or earn some passive income). * Fat FIRE *—This is for the individual with a 9-to-5 job who aims to * save substantially more than the average worker but doesn't want to reduce their current standard of living .* It generally takes a high salary and aggressive savings and investment strategies for it to work * Lean FIRE *—This ...

  Retirement overhead cost 1. Wonder if you are aware or like me having the Critical Illness (CI) rider attached to my whole life Insurance expired or expiring at age 60/63. 2. With no CI protection, my wholelife insurance protections are left with $220k Death & TPD coverage at combined premiums of ~$4k p.a. (inclusive of rider). Expensive! 3. Sometimes we bought wholelife policies during our youth some 35 years ago.  They had served our needs. 4.  While I was sad to terminate both wholelife insurance, I am concerned of not adequately covered for CI.  CI alternative 5.  At my age, premium for CI TermLife or Term policies are very expensive.  Also usual Mindef-Aviva GTL $860 p.a. premium is also expensive for Group Living Care $100k; again at increasing cost till age 70. 6.  When it comes to insurance protection for my family, we have ~35 policies, wholelife, Term, CI, H&S, shieldLifes, PA & DPS. 7. And these are not my 25 endowments !! ~~~ ...

1. It is common that many would critic on ILP.  2. Not that we investors would be bothered with ILP or whatever its name; as what was well said:  "Ne it white cat or black cat.  Any cat that can catch mice is a good cat" as coined by chinese ex-Premier Ding. 3. If any investment is not serving any purpose or not optimal, one can exploit its strength to good use. 4. Every investment serves its purposes; either shareholder wins or Mgmt wins through at fat salary and ownself declared bonus. ~~~ 5. One advantage of ILP insurance is that one can withdraw its cash value without terminating the policy.  The units held are in Fund units; so its Cash Value depends on Fund performance. Example1: optimal use of ILP PVA Someone bought PruVantage Assure (PVA) which suits him. He earns lifetime high dividend payout, though expected portfolio value would reduce, but yet capital is guaranteed upon bequest. If he holds till bequest, he gets best of both world. Example2: Optimal use o...

Knowing your Networth.  Your Investment/Earning Grading. I had a chat with someone in his early 50s on his investment journey. Maybe he is humble to share. He appeared to lament that his assets are only his fully paid home and one PA plan. To help him,   I briefly tabulated an action for him, as follows: 1. Maybe first try also account for your assets by every $100ks.  See where they went to or spend on ? 2. Estimate total earnings over the years; through ITX Annual Statement of Income. 3. Then compute your performance (saving/total earning).  Then assign grade to it.  4. And compute your networth.  DBS NAV Planner is useful.  Then it can also provide a guide you the comfortable retirement monthly expenditure, with inflation adjusted. 5. Next then try how to be focussed on investment to reduce your money leakage and build up your dividend/return. ~~~~~ 6. Not sure if there are any such grading to your Passive Income-to-Total Earning Grade. And ...

Of   Jokes & Laughters One tour leader shared two jokes yesterday: 1. His name initials is " OT ". Today he is on OFF today, being May Year. 2. Good staff is hard to find ; for they are always not around. *  Laughters brings de-stress.  *  Holidays offer rest (body, mind & Soul). *  Travellings bring us to places & making new friends... food. *  Break from regular job to smell roses and wonderful sceneries. ~~~ Special May Day today (1 May 2024 ) 1. I saw on video of our PM Lee bowed after his last May-Day 2024 Message. Of Gratitude 2. I saw Thankfulness & Gratitude as he bowed and made his exit from auditorium stage... (with background spotify playing soothing hymns in my ears.)

  Day 11 of Turkey/Greece Tour Values and Our Legacy 1.  One tour mate couple celebrated both their birthdays during this trip. 2.  From their sharings: * On each every year birthdays, everyone in their family will send video birthday greetings to the birthday persons.  * This tradition continues even now their children have their own family and children. * On each wedding annual anniversary, the couple will also spend time together to reflect for the year and to pray for one another. * On each Birthday, the birthday spouse will enjoy the special 3-day privileges of requests. * I suppose their traditions are also catched on by their children. 3.  Wonderful sharing👍🙏

 Good read.   From US article, Retiring in your 60s is becoming an impossible goal. Is 75 the new 65? Few keys points extracted: 1. People are living longer, and daily life is getting more expensive. It may be time to rethink the timeline for leaving the workforce. 2. Americans become eligible to receive their full Social Security benefits at age 67, roughly the same age that UK citizens can claim their universal State Pensions. 3. Government stipends weren't designed to support people their in 80s and 90s, 4. US workers believe the "magic number" for retirement savings is nearly $1.3m (£1.03m) – wealth that most people cannot accumulate by their 60s. ~~~ My takeaway: 1. We SG are blessed. Thanks to SG, we have CPFLife which payouts (though mainly fixed monthly), augmented by our CPF OA interest payout to support our retirement expenses. 2. Most household in SG should have accumulated at least S$1M in CPF. The affluent couples are even typically looking at S$...

Chat with someone who has bought AIG endowment which pays $2.4k p.m. from age 65 to 84.   It also protects him with Crisis Coverage of $2.4k p.m. upto age 65. On his one policy that gives monthly income of $2.4k p.m. and CI protection till age 65, good planning for a 40yo which he recently bought it in 2023. However, my opinion only: 1. After 1 Jul 2021, the insurer BI illustrated return stated @4.25% par fund performance is not so attractive. 2. AIG payout will likely be reduced for such long 25-year runway to 65yo.  (My opinion only hoh. I no insurance agent.) He lol that he can claim nearing age 65 to enjoy another 20-year CI of $2.4k p.m. (touch-wood hoh, told him). CI = Critical Illness ~~~ I told that he will face dilemma of his CI expired at age 65; just like me. I shared that my Wholelife CI will or has expired at age 60 & 63. Both, I have terminated as no point paying $3k p.a. my wholelife to cover $250k Death & TPD. ( Long story short, the insurer who ...

 Using layered insurance endowments payouts as Annuity Income: 1.  Previously INCOME and some insurers offer CLASSIC ANNUITY Plans for single premiums by cash or OA.  And those days, BI payout illustration was based on higher Par Fund Performance as follows: Before 1 Jul 2013: 4.75% to 5.25% I managed to buy 5 new endowments during this BEST period. After 1 Jul 2013: 3.25% to 4.75 % I managed to 4 new endowments  during this period. After 1 Jul 2021: Now the BI Par Fund Performance projection is much lower at 3.00% to 4.25%. Why Insurers lower than BI illustration ? Because MAS intervened to ensure its projection was based market Par Fund Performance conditions. MAS intervened twice on 1Jul 19 and 1 Jul 21. Since then, my opinion was that new endowments were not attractive anymore. 1. While one can argue that these are payout projections guidelines, insurers can pay more than these projection payout.   2. But again, which insurers would be.so nice to pay m...

Dilemma: Local ETF or DBS shares or Traded Endowment ? 1.  When it comes to buying new/resale endowments, INCOME is my preferred first choice. 2. Of course my opinion is that new endowments are no longer attractive, due to lower BI Par Fund illustration at 3% & 4.25%.   Hardly any insurer will pay more than they stated in their BI; especially if it is a long maturity runway. 3. For me, I won't consider Unit Trust Fund; especially if bought from bank.  You will have to  Fund switching in your self interest. 4.  Today I happened to speak to INCOME Advisor on above INCOME WealthLink (Investment-Link Policy: ILP) investing in Asia Dynamic Return Fund.  It is a local fund managed by Fullerton Fund, incepted since 11 Jan 22 at Par Fund $1/unit.  Now it is trading at $0.81/unit. 5.  Since inception, it has lost 11%.   Fullerton is HQ in Singapore, regulated by MAS. Maybe we can buy at low for now?  lol. My opinion only: I would sure a...

Happy Sonday. Someone shared this picture with me. "A Good Wife is Key to True Happiness" I thought that it is not really correct. ~~~   Good wife will slog very hard; and aged very much for the sake of the family. Happy Wife is better.  A Happy & Good Wife is Best. Whether Wife is Good, or Happy, one can maybe gauge on her inner body age.... and frequent smile on her face. ~~~~ Another wise said: When my wife is happy, I am happy. And when my wife is very happy, I am also very happy. Blessed Sunday.❤️🙏

My 11th & 12th Resale Endowments (INCOME X 2) 1. Yesterday I received the official e-Letter of notification of takeover of the two Wholelife policies. So I proceeded to pay up the $42,670 for initial premiums of two INCOME Wholelife Policies bought under Resale Endowments.    This completes the Resale Transitions. As easy that that. The two policies are seen on my MYINCOME Portal online. My next 13th & 14th Resale Endowments 2. TI13 (from GE) Premium: $23,820. Irr: 4.8% Lifetime payout --> $1,000 p.a. x 26 + $28,225 upon maturity payout at Year-26) At Year-26, I would be 60yo + 26 = 86yo. I have reserved my 13th policies which is to pay $1,000 p.a. for my wholelife from Year-0. 3. TI14 (GE) I just reserved this TI14 yesterday. Also from GE. Irr: 4.8% Premium: $18,470 + $1,900 × 6 = $29,870 Lifetime payout (from Year-6 at age 66) --> $1,600 p.a. x 25 + $40,76 upon maturity payout at 2055, at my age 85) 4. TI13 is better as I start collect at Year-0 at age 60 t...

Manulife Income-Secure -  DBS agent quoted me the above Manulife policy yesterday. In short (Pay 5, Collect 60 @60yo) Pay $10k x 5 (Less Yr1 bonus $800). Projected lifetime payout: $1,000 p.a. for 60 years, from Year-3; based on the BI 4.25% Par Fund Performance. My Comment: 1. For me, this fixed income policy really cannot buy. Compare with CPF OA 2.5% (Reference#1) 2. Putting into OA @2.5%, risk free, capital guaranteed, $50,000×0.025 = *$1,250* p.a. In fact, it won't be attractive for anyone above age 55 who already can withdraw from OA interest. 3. I got back to her that we don't need to meet. Besides the BI at 100yo: At 4.25%, return is 2.84% p.a. At 3%, return is 1.87% p.a. Compare with DBS Stock (Ref#2) 4. lol. If I put into DBS $50k shares, I will have dividend $2k p.a. easily. Compare with (T-bills & banks interest rate)(Ref#3) For short term which these money market is still good, invest in them first. ~~~ My takeaway 1. Tradition new endowment market is not so b...

Risk-free T-bills SGS T-bills have been around for many years. It only caught much attention due to recent high T-bill interest rate. For those who can afford to put-aside some money in T-bills, it is a useful avenue to get coffee money which is risk-free. The interest earned can also be used to pay utility bills or even pocket money for our school-going children. Example, 6-mth T-bill interest can fund our monthly expenses: $50,000 @3.7% = 50,000×0.037÷2÷6 = $150 p.m.  $100,000 @3.7% = 100,000×0.037÷2÷6 = $300 p.m. My takeaway Whatever it takes, make effort to invest.

1. Have you ever asked why Resale Endowments are able to give lifetime payout risk-free 4.1%? 2. What is the catch and where does the returns come from? My reply: 1.  Insurers can also pay because their biz model comes from getting customers invest in them.   2. Recently the policies Benefit Illustration was made to reduce their return projection, these insurers have to keep innovating to draw customers, in a small local market. 3. That's why we have to be careful which insurers we invest in, their fees n costs overhead. Ultimately can they keep delivering? 4. While they guarantee annual cashbacks, they will likely cut in their maturity payout. As an illustration Actually the original policy pays 3.+%, but because it was re-sold at a discount to us, our premiums were lower & discounted. This allows us to now enjoy higher irr 4.+% ~ 5%, though the policy remaining terms and payouts are unchanged at 3.+%.   That's the mechanism and benefits of Resale Insuranc...

 1. Today I signed to takeover the 2 resale insurance; mainly TI11 & TI12. 2. At INCOME Branch, I tallied and confirmed the Policies Cash Values are as sold to me. 3. Interestingly, both policies are not endowments, but someone's wholelife policies, They started at their ages 13 & 21 on 2005 & 2006 respectively. 4. It was the first time buying someone's wholelife policies.   The irony: I surrendered both my PrudLink and Manulife Estate Protector policies as my own CI will expire by my age 63 in a few years' time.  Yet now, I buy someone's much younger wholelife policies which have breakeven.  I buy their wholelife which have Cash Values to form my Cash CI which covers me from now  and beyond. 5.  Both policies have guaranteed surrendered value upon maturity payout in 8~9years (Xirr: 5%) 6. In 2032/33, age 67/68, Total premiums paid $55.2k, Total combined guaranteed maturity payout = $81.7k. (XIRR =5%.) 7. While it was guaranteed upto my ag...

  Building a stock portfolio 1. Know your risk tolerance. 2. Adequate industrial diversification 3. Don't put all your eggs in one region 4. Each portfolio size 5. Monitor & Review I wonder if this writer is old-fashioned way of stock investment ?  But I agree that "not to put all eggs in one basket". 1.  What stocks make up STI? Top-5 largest components of the ST: 1. DBS (20.2% weightage) 2. OCBC (11.8% weightage) 3. UOB (11.6% weightage) 4. Singtel (6.2% weightage) 5. Jardin Matheson (4.6%) makes up 60% of STI. These companies pay most of dividends. Why then bother to buy other stocks ? When these stock prices rise, so will the Index. 2. What stocks made up S&P 500 ? Top 8 largest companies of S&P 500 that made up 30% of market capitalization. 1. Apple, 2. Microsoft, 3. Amazon.com, 4. Nvidia, 5. Alphabet 6. Meta Platforms 7. Tesla 8. Berkshire Why then bother to buy other stocks ?  ~~~ Talking of diversification, most of us put 100% of our assets into S...

Pay5, Wait5, Payout5 This is my first 15-year $100k endowment bought from GE in 2011.  It was my first venture into buying 21 endowments journey.... And I am still buying more. Lol. I heard from my agent that many queue at GE Centre @Pickering St to complain after GE declare their policies payouts cut !!   It suffered a cut in maturity payout from $29,100 to $20,320 at Year-15 maturity year. ~~~ Year-11 to Year-14 (Guaranteed payout) Year-11 to Year-14 is guaranteed at $29,100 annually from 2021 to 2024. My 4th payout is this 7th Mar 2024, guaranteed at $29,100. Year-15 in 2025 Even with the maturity payout cut/revised from $29,100 to $20,320. ~~~ XIRR downs It's effective XIRR drops from 3.77% to 3.16% p.a. annualized return. Effect :  Still beat OA 2.5% p.a. ~~~~~ Paradox of buying endowment/annuity 1. I know how to invest. I would not invest in endowment. I sure can make. 2 Don't trust Endowments. The payouts are not guaranteed. 3. Endowments payout yield will not ...

 One wise shared that: At $3,300 pm per pax, it can be a comfortable income floor for a retiree couple. I wonder if $3,300 p.m. per pax really comfortable ? This $3,300 p.m. per pax will certainly not be even enough to cover Caregiver or Nursing home in 15-years' time for one, excluding inflation. NURSING HOME COST Current Nursing home cost is about $4k to $5k p.m. per pax. In 15~20 years' time, we will add to our children or society burden. WE WILL STILL NOT LAST SANDWICHED GENERATION  Sadly we can never be the last Sandwiched Generation ! ~~~~ Some takeaway: 1. Take good care of our health; physical & mental. 2.  Beef up on our children financial firepower to help  our "future dependency" on them. 3.  Bond & love our loved ones so that their Caregiving would be "sweeter". 4. Retirement expense is not just daily cost. Our most expensive cost maybe our Caregiving home cost from age 75 to 90; any shorter is a blessing. Our RA payout buffers $3k p.m., ...

 There are eight health areas to be cared for: 1. Leg: Knee cap pain, bow legged 2. Hearing loss 3. Sights impairment 4. Mental capacity degradation 5. Hair loss/white 6. Dental health (Front teeth loss) 7. 3 fiends (cholesterol, diabetes, High BP) 8. Better your body age ~~~~~ There are eight wealth areas to build up: 1. Max up CPF-Life lifetime payout 2. Fully paid Home  3. Passive Income 4. Annuities 5. Critical Illness Insurance protection 6. Hospital & Surgical (H&S) protection 7. Children & your retirement Plan B 8. Pure Gold ~~~~ There are eight retirement pastimes to build up Blue-Zone lifestyle: 1. Frequent walks 2. Community community care and eat together 3. Traditions n Religion; faith n hope 4. Right Tribe with healthy habits and behaviors. 5. Regular plant based diet; beans, nuts, veg to improve body immunity 6. Emotional health. At peace, contentment. Something to live for. 7. Stay active; do some gardening 8. Volunteering services

 1.  Current BASIC PLAN payout at age 65 My current RA Balance is $371k as at Feb 2024. [Projected Payout at age 65, for ERS Basic Plan: $2,180 p.m.] 2. NEW ERS BASIC PLAN PAYOUT (if cash topup with $117k in 2025) In 2025, with added RA whole year interest and cash topup permitted at $117k, my new RA Balance would slightly exceed $500k. [New Payout at age 65, for ERS BASIC Plan: $2,920 p.m.). (4 more years runway to age 65). 3. Calculator error beyond $500k But don't trust the CPFLife Estimator for $500k RA Balance at delay payout to age 70. Salivating if new payout is $3,890 p.m. !! (I might have to input as one year younger to calculate Delayed Payout at age 70). ~~~ 4. So far, I have topup RA (at ERS) with: Age 55: $88k (in 2019) Age 56: $7.5k (in 2020) Age 57: $7.5k (in 2021) Age 58: $10.5k (in 2022) Age 59: $10.5k (in 2023) Age 60: $10.5k (in 2024) Total: $134,500 (excluding additional annual MA cash topup to its yearly BHS). Wow a lot of forced saved money. It can be...

CPF SA Removal at age 55 news (16th Feb 2024) The Friday announcement of new CPF changes of CPF-SA removal from/at age 55 and its balance is transferred to OA must have caused a stir in the big chat. Those who did their SA hack might be lamenting and even angry with the new SA removal news. Actually the total interest lost may be $50k ? It should not derail one's retirement plan.   On the contrary, the increased RA ERS topup in 2025 would benefit more people.   If I were to topup this $117k next year and subsequent delta topup to its annual ERA, it will add about $3,000 - $2,200 p.m. or $800 p.m. lifetime. This is actually good news for budding retirees... 6 years to age 65. One lesson :  Not easy to outsmart our G. Even if one manages to, just whisper. "makan quietly". Just like the "1-99" loophole in home ownership to skirt around paying ABSD for 2nd pte pty, "makan quietly".

Compare XIRR & CAGR Definition: XIRR takes into account the exact timing and amount of each cash flow, making it a more accurate representation of the true returns of a SIP. CAGR , on the other hand, assumes a constant rate of return over the entire investment period, which may not accurately reflect the returns of a SIP. The CAGR measures the return on an investment over a certain period of time. The most important distinction is that the CAGR is straightforward enough that it can be calculated by hand. The main difference between them is that the CAGR is often presented using only the beginning and ending values, whereas the annualized total return is typically calculated using the returns from several years. ~~~~ My dilemma Just sharing my dilemma over nibbling buy to build up layered endowments versus simply VHR (voluntary home refund) into CPF-OA. Each endowment return singly, or bundled collectively can/may give a XIRR higher than 3.5%.   However in my case, the bun...