Governments like MY and SG keep pushing up retirement age. Officially to deal with longer lifespans and pension gaps. But let’s be real: the result is obvious. Older workers cling to their jobs longer, reducing opportunities for younger cohorts to rise, and boom… graduate unemployment/ underemployment everywhere.

It’s kind of funny. Everyone talks about wanting innovation and opportunities for the youth, but the system is literally designed to keep the old guard parked in their chairs. And guess what, the older crowd is usually the most resistant to change. Since govs are supposed to represent the people, I guess that means people and businesses like it this way? Lol.

The real problem is mindset. Folks in their 40s, 50s, 60s still think of work like it’s the 19th or 20th century: trade time for wages, hang on for dear life, waiting for retirement. That might have worked when lifespans were shorter, but now? Totally outdated. These days, it’s about rethinking "work": gig economy, side hustles, FIRE, passive income, whatever gets you out of the hamster wheel.

And seriously… if one don’t know what to do with life by 40, what makes he think he will figure it out at 70 when the brain’s much slower and less flexible?

Governments like MY and SG keep pushing up retirement age. Officially to deal with longer lifespans and pension gaps. But let’s be real: the result is obvious. Older workers cling to their jobs longer, reducing opportunities for younger cohorts to rise, and boom… graduate unemployment/ underemployment everywhere.

It’s kind of funny. Everyone talks about wanting innovation and opportunities for the youth, but the system is literally designed to keep the old guard parked in their chairs. And guess what, the older crowd is usually the most resistant to change. Since govs are supposed to represent the people, I guess that means people and businesses like it this way? Lol.

The real problem is mindset. Folks in their 40s, 50s, 60s still think of work like it’s the 19th or 20th century: trade time for wages, hang on for dear life, waiting for retirement. That might have worked when lifespans were shorter, but now? Totally outdated. These days, it’s about rethinking "work": gig economy, side hustles, FIRE, passive income, whatever gets you out of the hamster wheel.

And seriously… if one don’t know what to do with life by 40, what makes he think he will figure it out at 70 when the brain’s much slower and less flexible?

Mahu rest early
Mahu goyang kaki
Mahu enjoy
Tak mahu kerja....

I think this mindset about old folks holding on to positions and denying the young folks of opportunities is wrong. Private sector is mostly merit based. You can be young but if you prove your worth, you can be managing a bunch of older folks.

My guess is the retirement age is increasing because the Ponzi scheme pension fund is unsustainable. How else to reduce outflows of funds other than to make people work longer that they are not eligible the withdraw their funds?

They have to balance youth unemployment with the sustainability of the pension fund. Lean towards one and the other dies.

That's me and I am proud to admit I want that. No shame because I want my time back.

This is the gaslight most of us buy into. That the private sector is "merit-based". Work hard, climb up, and you’ll be rewarded. But once you’ve been around long enough and rise to senior levels, you realize it’s not that simple.

Simple example: just look at the board of directors. The cohort basically explains itself.

At the end of the day, it is favoring one group while kicking the can down the road… let someone else (probably the next gov) deal with the fallout. Haha.

Board of directors are the owners ma. Of course the old folks are there. But the workforce is different. You really can climb up faster than older/senior folks. Of course it doesn't mean it is a good thing to do, just saying it is possible.

I just don't see it as "if the old doesn't go, the young cannot go up".

ASSI is a Singaporean investor with SGD200+ p.a He always say make sure your foundation is strong before you proceed to other style of investing or do other stuff. He is kiasi until having 2y worth of expenses and use only SGD500/month to survive despite earning SGD200k+ p.a in passive income.

Well I don't really believe all these so called guru singing their songs, not like you know it is true or just made up figures

I did it less hectic my way not needing to skimp still managed to FIRE what... lol

You do know that that I have look and look. There is no way to increase income as a salaries person in my job. What I am earning ow is like max earning already. I will just keep it to that.

The only other way is start a business.

To me the job is a dead area. Can't get higher pay. Let me focus on my investment. That way I can maximise my investment returns by making money work as efficiently.

Ok… I do not really know your full circumstances. But, still… I’m afraid I will have to disagree with you. I still think… a person of your calibre shld be able to find the big break in whatever job you’ve chosen to do. Unless you don’t wish to. I’ll leave it at that.

Welcome to Italy.….

He is not a guru. He never sells anything and he post his screenshot that is good enough for me.

He shows people that even if you are poor you can reach FIRE only harder. Very inspirational for ordinary people like me.

Well I don't really believe all these so called guru singing their songs, not like you know it is true or just made up figures

I did it less hectic my way not needing to skimp still managed to FIRE what... lol

Well I on another hand disagree because I am lucky I didn't read such nonsense and get demotivated at work before FIRE

Just because "I can invest to FIRE" even when I am poor why need to go extra miles at work

At least you have more options but not just buta buta the B40 way LOL

I wish that was the case where I can ask anything unfortunately in my industry choices are very limited.

No such thing as I don't want meeting, don't want to do decision making, don,t want upskill or do MBA but I want to ask for more by only keep doing what I am doing now

Dream on

I was motivated even in uni to FIRE after reading mrfreeat33. Retire to Thailand at USD7-8k p.a expenses with passive income of USD15k p.a, no alarm clock, no job, do what you like, sign me up.

Read ASSI become more motivated as Asian guy living in Singapore can do it skimming on SGD500/month.

Then enter workforce even more motivational to quit seeing how they treat you like a donkey/slave. Totally no appreciation.

I am glad I put my nose to the grinding stone as now I can just walk away whenever I want and if I want.

That's my story.

Well you can believe it or not. Even my ex boss also told me in our industry our job prospects is really limited. Not much options. You got like only 3 way out.

Well you can believe it or not. Even my ex boss also told me in our industry our job prospects is really limited. Not much options. You got like only 3 way out.