THE articles, 'MM's keys to living long and successfully' and 'Retirement means death' (ST, Jan 12), were very interesting.
However, the articles overlooked one very important point, that is, the mindset of employers in enforcing mandatory retirement on their employees.
If one flies on an American or European carrier, it is fairly common to find flight attendants past their recommended retirement age still serving in the aisles with professionalism. (I once met an 80-year-old flight attendant while flying from Chicago to Hong Kong).
In fact, I was informed that one of the criteria for these flight attendants to remain working in their respective airlines is that they have to pass their annual emergency training. Unfortunately, our national carrier, Singapore Airlines, has yet to change its mindset on retirement age for most of the cabin crew.
Companies in Singapore should have their own standardised productivity checks or policies, accepted widely by their employees, to determine if one should retire or be given the option to remain in employment.
This will also likely improve the nation's long-term economic prospects.
Perhaps some day what Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said will come true: 'I do not believe we should have a retirement age... should go on working for as long as we can...'
Retirement is a luxury that only a few wage earners can afford. Many are being fooled into thinking that their savings could serve as their nest egg.
For the majority, as one gets older, being employed becomes a necessity, without which life is unbearable, especially with the cost of living spiralling up.
Richard Thong Kok Mun
WAY TO GO
If one flies on an American or European carrier, it is fairly common to find flight attendants past their recommended retirement age still serving in the aisles with professionalism.
