This really came as quite a surprise:
It took me a while to decide on whether I should attend the event or not because of privacy considerations. Then, when I was talking to my younger sister about it, she told me quite bluntly that the media won't be interested in a certain obscure blog run by a certain obscure AK. They would be zooming in on the ministers! OK, that made up my mind for me.
So, I took a day leave from work and went for the event to see and hear for myself discussions regarding the CPF by probably some of our country's more brilliant thinkers. Issues regarding the CPF and retirement adequacy interest this frog in a well and it is really a privilege for me to be at the forum.
It has been a long day and I am feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Mentally exhausted because I had to process so much information in such a short time. I have not felt so taxed since my undergraduate days! Physically exhausted from sitting down for a whole day? Yup, I also walked from the Shangri-La Hotel to Orchard MRT station. I am so out of shape, I know.
I will try to share more in detail on what was discussed today at the forum in the coming days. I will also share some of my thoughts then.
For this blog post, I am just going to share some photos as well as an outline of the topics discussed.
Here are some photos:
Kiasu AK was quite early so that he could choose a good seat. |
Panel discussion in the morning: Meeting current and future needs and aspirations of Singaporeans. |
Minister for Manpower, Mr. Tan Chuan-Jin. |
Panel discussion in the afternoon: Achieving the desired outcomes in a sustainable way. |
DPM and Minister for Finance, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam. |
Here is an outline of the issues discussed:
1. Future retirement landscape: Key influencing health and social trends.
2. Future needs and wants of seniors.
3. Housing and the CPF system.
4. Behavioural perspectives of the CPF system.
5. International retirement income systems.
6. Balancing returns, risks, facts and fallacies.
7. Analysing the CPF-IS and its alternatives.
8. Improving the CPF system.
From these 8 titles alone, I think you can guess that my brain had a fulfilling day. Now, some time is needed for digestion.
Related posts:
1. An(other) open letter to the Prime Minister.
2. E-books: Thoughts on financial security for Singaporeans.