This article is written specially as a contribution to the CPF initiative “Are You Ready?”. The main aim of this year’s initiative is in 4 areas, namely Healthcare, Housing, Retirement and General Cash Flow Management.

In my opinion, Healthcare, financially is straightforward, having a suitable shield plan, minimally the compulsory opt-out CPF schemes of Medisave, MediShield and ElderShield provides reasonable coverage. More in-depth will be discussing the integrated Shield plan with the co-insurance/deductible cash riders, Power of Attorney and Advanced Medical Directive. On another hand, prevention is better than cure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, balanced eating with regular exercise is still paramount to prevent incurring medical cost in the first place.

For Housing, Retirement and Cash Flow Management, I feel that Housing is a major factor directly impacting the other two. Why? Mortgage loan duration will affect when one can retire debt free and loan installments will form a ......