How much is enough for retirement in Singapore?
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Please be very careful with overseas property. Go in with eyes wide open that rules and laws can change any time.
Specifically with regards to UK property, if one is buying in today’s market, it is very difficult to achieve nett 5% ROI, after service charges, agent commission, and the high income taxes. (Singaporeans do not qualify for personal tax allowance). Also, be prepared for forex changes and the sterling pound may weaken (to your disadvantage), or strengthen (to your advantage). -
Better avoid those near the coastline. Singapore is sinking...
https://mothership.sg/2016/06/parts-of-singapore-may-be-submerged-under-water-in-the-next-50-years/
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/rising-sea-levels-singapore-impact-equator-water-drawn-11830652
RE MyPillow's point on buying an overseas ppty for kids to study there, I think it's a great and popular option. The kids can remain in that country to look for employment and maybe migrate there in future if they eventually marry a local citizen.
Just keep 1 fully-paid ppty in Singapore for retirement years. That's what most of my overseas relatives who hv retained their SG passport did. Some of them keep an FH landed house (which requires relatives here to help maintain), a few keep a 3-rm/4-rm/EC flat here as their Vacation Homes when they return once a year in summer to tour SEA and China. There're many Singaporeans who prefer to work overseas due to their skill sets, but they love Singapore very much, so will return one day to die here when they have made enough money overseas. -
.zeit\" post_id=\"1938901\" time=\"1569901902\" user_id=\"171271:
Smart to keep property in Singapore as there is no inheritance tax here.
Better avoid those near the coastline. Singapore is sinking...
https://mothership.sg/2016/06/parts-of-singapore-may-be-submerged-under-water-in-the-next-50-years/
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/rising-sea-levels-singapore-impact-equator-water-drawn-11830652
RE MyPillow's point on buying an overseas ppty for kids to study there, I think it's a great and popular option. The kids can remain in that country to look for employment and maybe migrate there in future if they eventually marry a local citizen.
Just keep 1 fully-paid ppty in Singapore for retirement years. That's what most of my overseas relatives who hv retained their SG passport did. Some of them keep an FH landed house (which requires relatives here to help maintain), a few keep a 3-rm/4-rm/EC flat here as their Vacation Homes when they return once a year in summer to tour SEA and China. There're many Singaporeans who prefer to work overseas due to their skill sets, but they love Singapore very much, so will return one day to die here when they have made enough money overseas. -
tyeogh\" post_id=\"1938775\" time=\"1569859692\" user_id=\"94399:
Mickey Mouse unit probably has the best rental yield compared to larger condos and landed.
Just a quick estimate. To show ROI.
4 room HDB: $400k
Rent: $600 a room
ROI: 1800 x 12 ÷ 400,000 = 5.4%
3 bedroom leasehold condo: $900k
Rent: $2,300
ROI: 2300 x 12 ÷ 900,000 = 3.1%
FH landed: $2.5m
Rent: $4,000
ROI: 4000 x 12 ÷ 2,500,000 = 1.9%
If the purpose is to collect monthly rental income for subsistence, FH landed is a poor choice.
But I supposed people who buy landed don’t just look at the rental yield alone. Could have other considerations such as holding on to the piece of SG land for long term, sentiment value, pass down to children etc. -
.zeit\" post_id=\"1938901\" time=\"1569901902\" user_id=\"171271:
Yes, I have a friend who’s planning to buy an Australian landed ppty for her son to stay while he’s studying there. She and her hubby may well decide to retired there as well coz the hubby loves to do gardening work. I did ask why not retire in Malaysia landed, she cited that it is not safe.
Better avoid those near the coastline. Singapore is sinking...
https://mothership.sg/2016/06/parts-of-singapore-may-be-submerged-under-water-in-the-next-50-years/
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/rising-sea-levels-singapore-impact-equator-water-drawn-11830652
RE MyPillow's point on buying an overseas ppty for kids to study there, I think it's a great and popular option. The kids can remain in that country to look for employment and maybe migrate there in future if they eventually marry a local citizen.
Just keep 1 fully-paid ppty in Singapore for retirement years. That's what most of my overseas relatives who hv retained their SG passport did. Some of them keep an FH landed house (which requires relatives here to help maintain), a few keep a 3-rm/4-rm/EC flat here as their Vacation Homes when they return once a year in summer to tour SEA and China. There're many Singaporeans who prefer to work overseas due to their skill sets, but they love Singapore very much, so will return one day to die here when they have made enough money overseas.
But I doubt I will touch overseas ppty. Firstly, my kids not keen on going overseas to study. Secondly, I am scared as I aged, I cannot handle the maintenance and paperwork etc for the overseas ppt. Also it’s like 不熟不做, I am more familiar with local ppt rules, transactions and all. So it’s either SG ppty or no ppty.
Regarding going overseas to work and coming back SG to retire. Yes, I have heard from my SIL that her friend is so happy earning big bucks and enjoying cheap food, car, housing etc at the US right now but she has the intention to come back here to retire after she has accumulated enough wealth $$$! She said one thing she doesn’t like about US is that they are allowed to carry guns and she’s quite lonely, close friends/relatives all in SG. -
Some friends bought overseas properties with the intention of letting their kids stay in them while they are studying. Unless you buy at the point when the child has received an offer and has decided where to study, it’s very difficult to predict where your kids will study at. You may buy in Sydney, but kid decides to go to Melbourne. Or you may have bought in London, and kid decides to go to Cambridge or Edinburgh.
The UK laws on tax and landlords, and currency have changed dramatically since 2010, when I began looking into the London market. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"1938949\" time=\"1569906430\" user_id=\"13281:
And even within a city, it would be better if the place is near the university, or has convenient transport links there. Sometimes, I wonder if the parent says - I have a flat near this university, so you must go there? And some of the \"London\" properties I have seen advertised are not really what I would consider \"London\"! A student would have a hard time commuting from those places every day. But I suppose the parents would feel that having a place to stay in/near that city rather than booking hotels still makes the investment worthwhile since they can recoup at least some/most of the capital when they sell. I also know some parents who buy only when they know that their child has got into a particular university, but it means buying in a hurry, and may not be the best time in terms of prices.
Some friends bought overseas properties with the intention of letting their kids stay in them while they are studying. Unless you buy at the point when the child has received an offer and has decided where to study, it's very difficult to predict where your kids will study at. You may buy in Sydney, but kid decides to go to Melbourne. Or you may have bought in London, and kid decides to go to Cambridge or Edinburgh.
The UK laws on tax and landlords, and currency have changed dramatically since 2010, when I began looking into the London market. -
Buying properties overseas also need to consider whether there are currency control in that country. Example, Thailand…can’t send your rental back to SG…
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One does not need an overseas property. I was just broadening the discussion re using properties to retire. Sg is expensive with low ROI. If you have millions to spare, why not. Else one can scout overseas. Just understand the risks. Attend courses etc.
Years ago, I too bought an Aussie pty for my children to study in case cannot make it to local uni. Turns out not too wise. Bec now the G has plans for 40% of each cohort to get into a local uni. Just make sure my kids are in the top 40% can ady.
The other thought was me to retire in Aust. As I grew older, I think I love my hawker food more than I love retiring in Aust. So…sigh… -
Agree. The key is one must learn about the risks and understand the market and laws and assess if one is comfortable. I have learnt many lessons along the way.
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