Q: At what age would you feel relieved in terms of livelihood pressure? I think most of us have yet to give this question a critical analysis.

— common Answer …. age 65
For the middle-class Singaporeans with FRS, age 65 means about $1300/M/person. Assuming reasonable inflation and healthcare taken care of, this monthly payout can match retiree’s burn rate, IFF burn rate is well controlled.

In contrast, US burn rate would likely exceed SGD 1300/M/person, partly due to Melvin3++ (car ownership + rEstate tax + med bx… )

If you have no kids in school by then, you may wish to start receiving this payout earlier (like 62) so you retire at an earlier age. You would need non-CPF solutions such as SRS, which can start paying out at 62.

— common Answer …. when my kids complete formal education and start working
This typical Chinese parent’s answer (LZ.Yu?) assumes the college cost is a major burden on the parents. Most middle-class Chinese parents I know seem to voluntarily take up the job to bankroll the children’s education.

I don’t plan to take it up as full responsibility. I want my kids to start saving up, take a student loan, and repay it after graduation.

— My answer …… when my NNIA can match my U.S. burn rate (USD 7k excluding housing?), which is much higher than SG burn rate (SGD 6k?)
Now (2020) I’m very comfortable on my cash flow high ground, thanks to my brbr + Fuller wealth + …

Paradoxically, I foresee worsening livelihood pressure relocating to the U.S. but still want to go.