800 Super - Number of issued shares

• 2016 - 178,800,000 (YONG SEONG INVESTMENT PTE. LTD 66.82%)
• 2015 - 178,800,000 (YONG SEONG INVESTMENT PTE. LTD. 66.00%)
• 2014 - 178,800,000 (YONG SEONG INVESTMENT PTE. LTD. 66.00%)
• 2013 - 178,800,000 (YONG SEONG INVESTMENT PTE. LTD. 64.88%)
• 2012 - 178,800,000 (YONG SEONG INVESTMENT PTE. LTD. 64.88%)
• 2011 - 178,800,000 (YONG SEONG INVESTMENT PTE. LTD. 64.88%)

Extrapolation of CPF Full Retirement Sum (FRS)

The Government had announced the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) amount that each cohort (turning 55 years old between Year 2016 and Year 2020) needs to set aside. Looking at these numbers, I realised that the dollars were increasing at a fixed rate of $5,000 but the percentage point was decreasing from Year 2016 to Year 2020. With this information, I went ahead to extrapolate an unofficial estimation of future Full Retirement Sum (FRS) from Year 2021 until Year 2040.

If you chanced upon this blog post via searching for retirement materials, I hope that the table below is useful for you. Please be reminded that it is only an unofficial estimation. The official BRS and FRS from Year 2021 onwards would still need to be announced by the Government in the future.

Age 55	CPF Full Retirement Sum (FRS)	Remarks
Year 2016	$161,000	Announced by the Gov in Feb 2015
Year 2017	$166,000	Announced by the Gov in Feb 2015
Year 2018	$171,000	Announced by the Gov in Feb 2015
Year 2019	$176,000	Announced by the Gov in Feb 2015
Year 2020	$181,000	Announced by the Gov in Feb 2015
Year 2021	$186,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2022	$191,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2023	$196,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2024	$201,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2025	$206,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2026	$211,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2027	$216,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2028	$221,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2029	$226,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2030	$231,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2031	$236,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2032	$241,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2033	$246,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2034	$251,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2035	$256,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2036	$261,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2037	$266,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2038	$271,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2039	$276,000	My Unofficial Estimation
Year 2040	$281,000	My Unofficial Estimation

The advantage of CPF monies NOT covered by a Will

Under the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Act, CPF monies do not form part of a deceased member's estate and are not covered by a will. This is actually a wonderful feature. Please think deeper about it. 

Extracted text:

This has the advantage of not subjecting the member's CPF savings to his debts upon his death.

This is to protect the member's CPF monies and ensure that the member's dependants receive the monies. Moreover, if CPF monies are distributed according to a will, any disputes arising from the existence and validity of the will may delay the receipt of the CPF monies by the dependants.

It is, therefore, in the interests of both members and their dependants for un-nominated CPF monies to be distributed by a public agency outside of the member's estate, in accordance with intestacy laws.

If the CPF member wants his CPF monies to be distributed in accordance with a will, the member can make a nomination of the same beneficiaries as those under the will. Upon the member's death, the CPF Board will pay the CPF monies to the nominees directly.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/cpf-monies-not-covered-by-a-will

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/why-cpf-monies-share-of-hdb-flats-not-automatically-covered-by-a-will

CPF is a sustainable safety net system

The Straits Times, 8 Sept 2015, p. A4

Do you know? CPF Medisave Account has a contribution ceiling

Since Jul 2014, our CPF Medisave Account (MA)'s Maximum Sum* has been increased to $48,500.

After fulfilling the MA's Maximum Sum, excess Medisave contributions will flow to the Special Account (if below 55 years old) or Retirement Account (if above 55 years old).

In other words, the earlier you hit your MA's Maximum Sum, the faster you can grow your Special Account (Hint: See how I did not mention about growing your Retirement Account?) for retirement needs!

Now you know!

* What is the "Maximum Sum"? The term "Maximum Sum" does not exist anywhere else on the Internet because this is an original term that I have coined to represent the reverse meaning of "Minimum Sum".

Why it's wise to keep money in CPF

The Sunday Times published an informative article about CPF LIFE on 15 Feb 2015. What intrigued me are the following views shared by Mr Colin Pakshong, an independent actuarial consultant.

Question: How does CPF Life compare with private annuity plans? 

CPF Life is very competitive. It is supported by special government bonds; so, for the same premium, it would be difficult for a private annuity plan to offer the same level of payout.

Question: How do the CPF Life's returns compare with stocks and bonds' returns?

The returns are also very competitive, particularly once risk is taken into account.

There will be some periods when a portfolio of stocks and bonds provides a better return, but over the years during which the payouts will be made, CPF Life is likely to provide better and much more stable returns.

. . .

It's certainly possible that some members will earn higher returns (from stocks and bonds), but past experience from the CPFIS shows that most members would have been better off leaving their money in the CPF.

Even professional fund managers find it difficult to produce superior returns on a consistent basis.

Mok, F. (2015, February 15). Why It's Wise to Keep Money in CPF, pp. 26-27.

New-found Faith in the Central Provident Fund (CPF)

Everyone, please take a deep breath.

During this year, I have made an irreversible and permanent transfer of $25,000 from my Ordinary Account (OA) to my Special Account (SA).

By transferring $25,000 from the OA to the SA, I am projected to earn $17,000 more interest after 20 years, as compared to leaving the amount in the OA. $17,000 is 68% of the original sum!

A Nightmare on Elm Street

3.5/5

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) is a welcomed reboot for movie-goers like me, who have never watched the original franchise series. The scream meter is poor because most of the scary scenes were already shown in the trailer.

Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang

3.5/5

I had doubts buying a ticket after seeing the lame trailer of the black crow burping. Surprisingly, the movie is entertaining - a family story that teaches good values to the kids.

Didn't know Ewan McGregor has a cameo until I checked the credits!

The Ghost Writer

4.5/5

A smart and dark political commentary about government conspiracies. It's a pity that Golden Village didn't carry this title. Shaw and Cathay are presently screening at limited small cinema halls - I watched the movie at Shaw.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

2.5/5

Too few turning-back-time scenes. Prince of Persia has failed to manage gamers' expectations.

Criticism on Technology Stocks

"I'm thoroughly convinced there's no franchise to these businesses. Product cycles are so fast that it's difficult for them to make money. There's no barrier to new competitors." -- Jim Craig

Practicality

In the 1970s, Tom Bailey said: "If you can't wear it and you can't eat it, don't buy it (the stock)".

I find wisdom in his sentence. There are too many dubious stocks that are not worth our investment. For Bailey's statement to stay relevant in 2010, I'm revising it to: "If you can't wear it, eat it or use it... don't buy its stock."

Value Investing

"When you buy a stock, you're not buying a piece of paper; you're buying part of a business. There's often a huge spread between the intrinsic value of the business and the price that a frequently manic stock market is putting on the paper. Buy a stock significantly above intrinsic value and you court a loss. Buy below intrinsic value and you have a good chance of making money over the long haul, with little risk of taking a permanent hit on your capital." -- Benjamin Graham

Once A Gangster

2/5

A parody of Young and Dangerous and Infernal Affairs films. Got some funny scenes but the whole movie suffers from poor story development.

Ip Man 2

4.5/5

Some scenes really jot the emotions of nationalism. The movie ends with a pleasant surprise but will Ip Man 3 materialize?

Starhill Global has Annualized Dividend Yield of 11.9%

Last done at SG$0.535, Starhill Global REIT has an annualized (2006-2009) dividend yield of 11.9% (Rights in July '09 not factored). To put it in perspective, our local banks' annual interest rate can be as low as 0.125%.

Last week, YTL Pacific Star's REIT Management; Property Management; and REIT Management Holdings have been renamed to contain the phrase Starhill Global. This demonstrates the alignment of various stakeholders.

Presently, Starhill Global REIT invests shopping malls in Singapore (Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City), China, Japan and Australia. Pending acquisition is the Starhill Gallery and Lot 10 malls in Kuala Lumpur. It is the most diversified retail REIT in SGX - very apt of the word, Global.

The Losers

4/5

Jensen (Chris Evans) is also going to be Captain America next year!

Shrek: The Final Chapter

4/5

Entertaining - an amazing feat for being Shrek's third sequel.

Iron Man 2

4.5/5

Robert Downey Jr. continues to ooze with charisma in this Iron Man sequel.