21 Feb 2025
SOURCE: CPF Board
Retirement can be an exciting next chapter in the game of life. But if you’re not physically, mentally, or financially healthy, you might not be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Learn how to do so with these five healthy ageing tips below.
1. Keep your mind engaged with lifelong learning
Your brain needs regular exercise to stay sharp just like any other muscle in the body. While cognitive decline is a natural part of ageing, keeping your mind active through learning and new experiences can help maintain mental agility.
Engaging your mind does not always require formal education. Though structured courses such as those using your SkillsFuture Credit can give your brain a workout, simple activities can do the same too.
Try exploring new interests such as discovering hidden food gems across Singapore or venturing into new neighbourhoods. These everyday adventures stimulate your brain and can add a dash of excitement to your retirement journey.
2. Organise and plan your finances
Planning for your finances helps ensure that you will have enough to last through retirement. Take time to review your monthly retirement payouts and determine if they match your lifestyle needs.
If possible, consider making a top-up to your Special or Retirement Account via the Retirement Sum Topping-Up scheme to increase your monthly lifelong payouts and provide yourself with additional financial security.
You can also use the CPF Retirement Payout Planner to set your retirement payout goal and track your progress towards it. By simulating CPF actions such as top-ups and transfers, you can use this calculator to visualise the impact on your projected payouts and savings.
When deciding how much you need for your retirement, keep BASE in mind. This handy acronym stands for Basic spending, your Additional spending, Sources of income and Establishing a solid plan! Read on to find out more about how you can manage your finances in retirement!
3. Schedule annual screenings to stay on top of your health
Regular health screenings serve as an early warning system. By detecting potential health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes before they become serious, you can take the necessary steps to protect your wellbeing. Early intervention not only increases the success rates for treatment, but also helps to minimise healthcare costs down the road.
You can use your MediSave for selected health screenings such as mammogram screenings (for women aged 50 and above) and colonoscopies. Speak with your healthcare provider for the full list of screenings payable with MediSave.
4. Eat healthily and stay active
A balanced diet provides the essential nutrients you need to stay energised and healthy. And while this does not mean saying goodbye forever to your favourite char kway teow, moderation is key. Check out these tips for affordable healthy living in Singapore!
Regular exercise is equally important for keeping fit. Aim to complete at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. You can also make use of your ActiveSG credits to sign up for fitness classes or access public pools and gyms available island wide.
5. Obtain peace of mind with legacy planning
While it may feel difficult to think about future arrangements when you're healthy, planning for what happens after your passing helps ensure your wishes are honoured and your loved ones are cared for.
Start with a CPF nomination which allows you to specify how your CPF savings will be distributed. This a free and straightforward process that can be completed either online or at any CPF Service Centre.
Healthy ageing tips for a fulfilling retirement
Taking small steps toward healthy ageing can improve your quality of life during your golden years. After all, retirement is when you enjoy the fruits of your labour and embrace life to the fullest!
If you like this article, be sure to learn more about how you can keep dementia and osteoporosis in check by maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Information is accurate as of the date of publication.
