Navigating retirement planning: Why cash is your riskiest asset

Many Singaporeans have more financial tools and information than ever, yet few feel ready for retirement. Those aged 35 to 44 are the most unsure, caught between pressing bills today and a goal that feels far away. With Singapore set to become a super-aged society, the cost of putting off decisions is rising.

In this episode of Money Hacks, a podcast by The Business Times, Howie Lim speaks with Samuel Rhee, co-founder, chairman and group chief investment officer (CIO) of Endowus. They discuss why so many people stay stuck in planning mode, and how to move from research to action.

Why listen

• Why the problem is not what you invest in  Rhee says people search for the best product when they should start with why they are investing. Once the goal is clear, the amount to save and the level of risk to take follow.

• Why cash can be the riskiest choice  For long-term planners, Rhee argues, inflation quietly eats away at savings kept in cash. He suggests stepping up gradually, from money market funds to short-duration bond funds.

• Retirement is an income stream, not a lump sum  With many Singaporeans likely to live into their 80s or 90s, Rhee explains why the target is monthly income. He also covers how CPF Life, the coming CPF lifecycle investment scheme and the Supplementary Retirement Scheme fit in.

• Why waiting for certainty costs you  Time in the market matters more than the amount invested. Rhee says compounding rewards those who start early, even with a small sum.

• Three metrics worth tracking  Rhee names his three: how much you save, your asset mix, and the fees you pay. He explains why a 1 per cent fee difference compounds painfully over 30 years.

If your own financial plan is still in draft mode, this conversation offers a way to begin. Listen now.

Discover more episodes at bt.sg/podcasts. Got feedback? Email us at btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg)

With Samuel Rhee, co-founder, chairman, group CIO, Endowus

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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