MY HUSBAND and I are approaching retirement age.
We came from very modest families but have benefited from the strong emphasis on education, access to good jobs and an overall relatively meritocratic environment in Singapore.
While I understand that there will always be people who need a helping hand, I find the concept that, just because one is old, one should expect some handouts or subsidies, to be condescending ("Pioneers package Part 2? 'It'll depend on next generation' "; yesterday).
Any social assistance should be means-tested, so as to avoid an entitlement attitude.
While the intention of the Pioneer Generation Package is good, and is probably appropriate given that people who lived
through the early nation-building years might not have benefited as much economically and would probably need help as they age, I hope we would have no need for this kind of blanket subsidies going forward.
Blanket subsidies also obscure the true cost of services and could result in excessive consumption.
The pioneer generation has made a lot of sacrifices and deserves to be honoured and respected, but that need not be equated with being offered money and subsidies.
The Singapore I grew up in prides itself on its can-do attitude, self-reliance and willingness to adjust and face challenges.
The next generation of oldies is better educated, has access to more information, and should be, or can be helped to become, better equipped to plan for and manage retirement.
The Government and local media are doing their part to provide information on healthy ageing, financial planning and the Central Provident Fund, and this should continue so that people who are interested and able to learn can better direct their lives.
So let us get back to the basics and help those who truly need it.
It does not mean we do not care for the old, it just means that we want social policies that are fair and just, and directed at people who truly need help.
Lui Poh Choo (Ms)
We came from very modest families but have benefited from the strong emphasis on education, access to good jobs and an overall relatively meritocratic environment in Singapore.
While I understand that there will always be people who need a helping hand, I find the concept that, just because one is old, one should expect some handouts or subsidies, to be condescending ("Pioneers package Part 2? 'It'll depend on next generation' "; yesterday).
Any social assistance should be means-tested, so as to avoid an entitlement attitude.
While the intention of the Pioneer Generation Package is good, and is probably appropriate given that people who lived
through the early nation-building years might not have benefited as much economically and would probably need help as they age, I hope we would have no need for this kind of blanket subsidies going forward.
Blanket subsidies also obscure the true cost of services and could result in excessive consumption.
The pioneer generation has made a lot of sacrifices and deserves to be honoured and respected, but that need not be equated with being offered money and subsidies.
The Singapore I grew up in prides itself on its can-do attitude, self-reliance and willingness to adjust and face challenges.
The next generation of oldies is better educated, has access to more information, and should be, or can be helped to become, better equipped to plan for and manage retirement.
The Government and local media are doing their part to provide information on healthy ageing, financial planning and the Central Provident Fund, and this should continue so that people who are interested and able to learn can better direct their lives.
So let us get back to the basics and help those who truly need it.
It does not mean we do not care for the old, it just means that we want social policies that are fair and just, and directed at people who truly need help.
Lui Poh Choo (Ms)
