55 years old used to be the retirement age of most countries until governments realised they were starting to run out of money to pay for their pensions. Thus one country after another started to increase the retirement age so as to delay the day "when they have to honour any promises to pay you commited by the previous governments". Every government will promise that you will enter paradise when you reach 55 if you vote for them now.
However in Singapore things took on a different route. The government realised that it is better to encourage workers to save their own "pension money" and to spend only what they have saved. Thus they created a Central Provident Fund whereby both the employee and employer made contributions over the years. Great idea for the government and since i happen to be a brand new civil servant that year, I was persuaded to take up the scheme. Only problem was I left the government service exactly after a year and as a self employed person then, I need not contribute to the fund. Overtime the government have made numerous changes all to enhance the scheme. Still even before all these changes I left Sinagpore to work overseas and thus when I returned 13 years later my total savings was really a pathetic sum
On hind sight it is a blessing for me as I have been able to invest the money that should have been tied up in CPF.
Thus on the dot at 55 I can call it day. This is my opportunity to reinvent myself and what better way to start by blogging.
Dentistry was never my calling but I think I am fortunate to be one for the last 32 years. As a dentist I have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life regardless of their age race and culture. Also my calling card for most patients is to make them feel at ease to talking to them. Well in as much as they have learned from me on how to to take care of their teeth , I have learned from them what is life all about.
I will strive to share with anyone interested the wealth of knowledege I have gathered from my patients.
