IN SOME countries, the average life expectancy of people is less than 60 years. But 60 years is exactly how long Mr Low Kim Bock, 78, has been working for.

And he has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

HIS THIRD CAREER: For $45 a day, Mr Low, a security guard, is on his feet from 7am to 7pm, five days a week, directing cars and stopping them for spot checks. Photo/ DESMOND LIM

'I work because I need to earn to pay for my food and my medicine. But I also work because I've always been working. I don't know what to do if I stop,' he says.

He entered the workforce just after the war, in 1947. As a 19-year-old, he joined the British Army as a technician, repairing vehicles and weapons.

He earned about $400 a month.

After 22 years in the service, when the British pulled out of Singapore, he worked as a bellhop at the Hotel Phoenix for 12 years.

Then, at the 'youthful' age of 53, he began a third career as a security guard.

That was 25 years ago. He is now employed by KH Security Agency to man the Enterprise Hub in Toh Guan East.

He says that one reason for his ability to stay in the workforce for so long is that he has little expectations of what his job should be: 'I have only a Primary 6 education so I take whatever job that comes and I do my best. I am chin-chai (flexible).'

Yet, despite working all this time, he no longer has any savings in his Central Provident Fund account.

He reckons that he spent about $40,000 or so four years ago on a new five-room flat in Bukit Panjang, which he and his wife share with his only son's family.

An operation to remove a tumour in his neck two years ago set him back by $10,000 as his current employer does not provide medical insurance for him.

He frowns when asked if he would consider living in a smaller flat so that he can free up some money for retirement: 'Who would take care of us if I and my wife lived alone? Now, at least we are together, so if anything happens, there is family support.'

For $45 a day, he is on his feet from 7am to 7pm, five days a week, directing cars and stopping them for spot checks.

A third of his salary goes towards paying for food and transport. He gives his wife about $200 a month and the rest goes towards expenses like his mobile phone, clothes and the occasional bak kut teh treat.

To make sure he remains fit for the job, he takes pains not to smoke and drink. He is usually asleep by 10pm and wakes up at 4am.

'It's a tough job and my son complains about me working. He says he can support me. But I tell him that as long as I can support myself, I will. When I cannot, you will have no choice but to do so,' says Mr Low.

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