Tuesday, October 19, 2010

PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT (Part 1)


Given that 9.5% of Malaysians will be above age 60 by 2020, the recent conference "Everyone Can Retire Well" couldn't have been more timely. Organized by the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM), the event also included an exhibition and free talks for the public. 
A good turnout of participants from the government and corporate sectors, financial institutions, universities, real estate developers and the medical fraternity.
According to conference co-organising chairman and FPAM deputy president, Tan Beng Wah, there is currently no single umbrella body to coordinate the activities of all the different stakeholders in the retirement planning industry. The conference would provide a common platform for them to get together and discuss best policies to be implemented for the benefit of everyone.

A comprehensive list of topics from credit card management to investment in stockbroking. FPAM deserves a round of applause for taking the initiative to educate the public about retirement planning. (Click on all images to enlarge.)

The organizers also felt there was an urgent need to raise public awareness of the challenges that lie ahead not just for the country, but for the individual as well. To this end, a separate programme of free talks by established local and international experts was held in an adjoining hall. Although the talks were promoted in the print and e-media, the turn-out was small. A real pity as there was much to learn from the experts. Topics were wide-ranging, from investment opportunities to estate planning and retirement villages, to name a few.

One of several booths at the exhibition. This one offered free health checks.

The following screen shots are solely for educational purposes. Please visit the FPAM website for more infomation on the talks and the speakers.

Medical planning is an integral component of retirement planning. We tend to focus on financial planning, and forget that without good health, retirement can literally be much more than a pain in the neck.
Of what good is knowledge if we don't act upon it? If any of these health issues or medical ailments apply to you, seek expert advice.
The price to pay for ignorance or indifference.
The good doctor's recommendations.
Time for me to make an appointment. What about you?
Also speaking on the aspect of health concerns for retirement planning was Dato Dr Rajen, an authority in the field of alternative and traditional medicine. In his presentation he referred to osteoporosis as a thief as it steals the calcium from our bones, a racist as it favours Chinese and a bully as it picks on women who are smaller in frame than men.
His advice for strong bones - get at least 20 minutes of exposure to sunlight in the mornings or evenings. This is essential for our body's production of Vitamin D and calcium. If you are lactose-intolerant, take yoghurt or soy-based food products like tofu.
Next up was Dr Tanya Petrovich's talk on Alzheimer's Disease.
The statistics are alarming. There are brain exercises like Suduko, mahjong, crossword puzzles that can help keep the mind agile as we age. Like muscles, if we don't use our brain cells, we 'lose' them.
It's a relief to know that being forgetful is not necessarily a symptom of AD.
Alzheimer's Australia has come up with the Mind Your Mind booklet which you can click here to download for free. It gives tips on how to minimize the risk of getting dementia and AD.


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