Participant Experiences
What People Say After Sitting in the Room
These are accounts from participants who attended our programmes in Singapore. We have summarised what they told us, without embellishment.
Back to Home13
Years in Operation
3,200+
Participants
4.7
Average Programme Rating (out of 5)
94%
Found the Sessions Useful or Very Useful
What Participants Have Said
Feedback gathered from post-programme forms, April–May 2025.
Tan Lay Hoon
Bishan, Singapore
I attended the Verandah Discussions after my husband retired and we were trying to work out what the next stage looked like. The three evenings were genuinely useful — not because anyone told us what to do, but because we left each session with a clearer picture than when we arrived. The pace was right for us. I appreciated that questions were not rushed.
Verandah Discussions — April 2025
Rajan Kumar
Tampines, Singapore
I took the Retirement Planning Course because I am fifty-three and felt I did not understand the CPF LIFE options well enough to make good decisions. Eight sessions was the right length — enough time to go into the detail without dragging. The section on medical costs in retirement was the one I found most useful. I had been underestimating what care costs later in life.
Retirement Planning Course — March 2025
Siti Mahmud
Queenstown, Singapore
My sister had been to a seminar at a bank about retirement planning and came home wanting to buy several products she did not fully understand. I went to Padang specifically because they do not sell anything. That was the deciding factor for me. The Verandah Discussions gave me enough of a foundation to have a proper conversation with my insurance agent later — without feeling lost.
Verandah Discussions — April 2025
Lim Choon Seng
Clementi, Singapore
My wife and I did the Private Retirement Review. We are both in our late fifties and had been putting off a proper look at the household picture for too long. The five sessions were very well structured. By the end we had a document that laid out our financial position clearly — something we could hand to our children if needed. It was worth every dollar.
Private Retirement Review — May 2025
Priya Govindan
Serangoon, Singapore
The SRS had always confused me. After the Retirement Planning Course I finally understood how it works and why it might — or might not — make sense for someone in my situation. The material on the CPF Retirement Sum at fifty-five was also very clear. I came away with the course booklet and still refer to it occasionally. I did find the session on housing equity slightly less applicable to my situation, but I understand that it matters a great deal to many of the other participants.
Retirement Planning Course — February 2025
Wong Jun Kiat
Toa Payoh, Singapore
I had been to two financial planning seminars over the previous three years. Both ended with a pitch. I was sceptical that Padang would be different. It was. No one tried to sell me anything across the full three evenings of the Discussions. The lead educator was easy to follow and answered questions directly. I have already recommended it to two colleagues who are in the same stage of life.
Verandah Discussions — May 2025
A Few Longer Accounts
With permission, three participants described their experience in more detail.
Chen Chai Ling, 57 — Retired civil servant, Ang Mo Kio
Private Retirement Review, completed April 2025
The Situation
Retired a year earlier than planned after a restructuring. Was unsure whether the household's CPF savings, SRS balance and existing investments would be sufficient across a twenty-to-twenty-five-year retirement. Had not reviewed the investment portfolio for several years.
What Happened
The five sessions walked through the household's complete picture in sequence. A clearer view emerged of CPF LIFE income from sixty-five, the SRS drawdown schedule, and what the investment portfolio's current allocation implied for longer-term sustainability.
The Outcome
Left with a household summary document covering all key numbers and decisions. Described having a clearer view of the picture and a list of questions to raise with a financial advisor. Said she felt less anxious about the retirement timeline.
"I did not leave with answers to everything. But I left knowing what the important questions were and where to look. That was more useful than any seminar I had attended before."
Nair Anand, 49 — Senior manager, Jurong East
Retirement Planning Course, completed March 2025
The Situation
At forty-nine, was aware that the CPF Retirement Sum milestone at fifty-five was approaching. Had a vague intention to top up the CPF accounts but did not fully understand the rules or the implications of doing so versus contributing to the SRS instead.
What Happened
The eight-week course covered the Retirement Sum framework in session one and the SRS in session three. Having both explained in sequence made the trade-offs between them considerably clearer. Also found the housing equity session useful, as the family had been considering options.
The Outcome
Came away with a clearer view of how the next six years of CPF contributions would shape the Retirement Account balance at fifty-five. Said he now felt equipped to have a more informed conversation with his bank's wealth management team.
"The SRS had been on my to-do list for two years. After session three I finally understood whether it made sense for me. That alone was worth the enrolment."
Find Us
You are welcome to call or write before deciding whether a programme suits your situation.
Telephone
+65 6273 6148Address
11 Cluny Road, #02-14
Singapore 259572
Office Hours
Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm
Sat: 9am–1pm
Professional Standing
Singapore Adult Learning Award — Commended 2022
Recognised for contribution to financial literacy among adults approaching retirement.
CPF-Reviewed Content (Updated April 2025)
Programme content reviewed by CPF-accredited consultants for accuracy.
Singapore Lifelong Learning Network — Member Since 2014
Member organisation supporting structured adult education in Singapore.
Take your time
The Room Is There When You Are Ready
Write to us, call, or simply come by. There is no commitment attached to making an enquiry, and we will take the time to answer whatever you would like to know first.
Send an Enquiry