Mrs 15 HWW has a very close-knit extended family as she spent most of her childhood in her aunt’s place (both parents were working). Together with her three older cousins, they formed close bonds under the roof of a 3-room Bedok flat.
During those days, her uncle worked as a taxi driver and her aunt, a housewife. With three children in tow, it wasn’t easy to make ends meet in those days, let alone save for retirement. Furthermore, due to their vocations, their CPF contributions, if any, was negligible.
Their story isn’t unique. With a fully paid up HDB asset, they are like most lower-income elderly in Singapore. Asset-rich, cash-poor.
Since all the children have already moved out, there have been suggestions to cash-out on this asset to enhance their retirement lifestyle. Like buying a cheaper and smaller 3-room BTO to live closer to one of their children and her family. But ......