• IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here.

    The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.

Sinkie Middle Income kena squeezed

Scrooball (clone)

Alfrescian
Loyal
Feeling the tight squeeze in the middle
ST survey shows middle-income, middle-aged S'poreans feel bleakest about their future and govt policies

Saturday Special Report | Updated today at 12:05 AM
By Robin Chan, Andrea Ong And Rachel Au-yong

ASSISTANT MANAGER Raymond Koh, 38, is a man with many worries.

He just sold his Housing Board flat below valuation to upgrade to a bigger flat for his growing family. He worries about the long hours his daughter, 14, spends in school; and about the primary school his six-year-old son will get into.

His car's certificate of entitlement runs out in 21/2 years and he wonders if he will be able to afford another one.

He frets about growing old, his children's future and whether they will have a better standard of living than he is having.

"It will be very tough for them, that's for sure, because their income and the things everybody would want (like a house or car) don't match any more. The gap is very big," he says.

"In Singapore, if you don't have a combined income of at least five figures, I think it can be quite tough to pay for everything- house, car, education, insurance."

Mr Koh is one of the many middle-income Singaporeans aged 35 to 44 who emerged as the group most negative about the future and government policies, in a survey by The Straits Times.

They comprise roughly 16 per cent of the resident population here, according to data from the Department of Statistics, making them the second-largest age group. The largest is the 45 to 54 age group.

The poll of more than 500 Singaporeans was done by market research firm Asia Insight over a week in March.

It asked them questions on how satisfied they think Singaporeans are with government policies and their confidence in the future, and found this group had the smallest share - one in two - of those who think Singaporeans are satisfied, and who are confident about the future.

When asked to rate how well the Government has handled issues like health care and transport since 2011, again this group consistently gave the lowest scores.

The survey sought to find out how Singaporeans view the progress made since the 2011 General Election, when many issues were aired and voters sent a strong signal by electing six opposition members into the House, the most since 1966.

The results show that the social shifts the Government has made since then seem to be resonating with the ground, and concerns over housing have abated.

Singaporeans have the most confidence in the Government's ability to handle issues related to the elderly, the poor, health care and housing, although there appears to be growing frustration over train breakdowns, and the foreign worker issue remains divisive.

But another picture that emerged was of a U-shape curve in satisfaction.

Young Singaporeans are generally happy and optimistic. Those in their mid-30s, 40s and early-50s are stressed and critical. And then those aged 55 to 64 become more carefree and happier again.

When told these results from the survey, Mr Koh agreed: "These (aged 35 to 44) are the people with the most burdens, the most worries. We're in a midlife crisis of sorts. We have schoolgoing children, so the commitment is very high, and we're also afraid of a sudden career change.

"If you're committed to the car, house and children, the burden is huge. We're the sandwich group. The costs are tremendous."

The phenomenon of the middle-class squeeze is not a new one. And neither are the stresses of the middle-aged. But when age and income intersect, the survey suggest a bloc of voters in the middle who are feeling increasingly squeezed and in need of more help.

Scholars on well-being have posited just this relation between age and happiness - with the lowest point usually coinciding with middle age.

American academics David Blanchflower and Andrew Oswald found that happiness among Americans and Europeans bottomed out in their 40s.

These findings are corroborated by a 2011 quality-of-life study by Professors Siok Kuan Tambyah and Tan Soo Jiuan from the National University of Singapore.

It found that those aged 25 to 44 were most likely among all the adult age groups to say that they did not have enough money to buy the things they need or do what they wanted to do in life.

Among the 1,500 Singapore citizens surveyed, this age group also enjoyed life the least and felt the least sense of achievement.

That same NUS study also found that the middle-income group, which used to be the happiest and enjoyed life in 2006 compared to other income groups, is now the least happy and enjoyed life the least.

That does not surprise Nominated Member of Parliament Laurence Lien: "The middle-income may have higher expectations that are unmet, and they do not get as much government support as the lower-income.

"The 35- to 44-year-olds are often having to juggle multiple responsibilities. Apart from work and parental responsibilities, they may also have to provide caregiving help to their parents."

The survey also found that the overriding perception is that the Government helps the poor the most.

Over three-quarters of respondents said the low-income group have benefited most from government policies in the last three years.

In contrast, only 3 per cent said the middle-income group had been helped the most, less than the 10 per cent who said the richest were being helped the most.

This despite more measures recently to support the middle-income group, including GST vouchers to offset cost of living rises, and also hikes in the income ceiling so middle-income households can buy four-room HDB flats with subsidies.

The findings suggest that while the Government has increased support to the middle-income groups, it is either not felt, or not sufficient.

The young and the old

The 55 to 64 age group, however, seems to be in a sweet spot. They were the most confident and satisfied on almost all policy issues.

This age group had the highest levels of approval for the Government's handling of the elderly, the poor, health care and transport issues.

Some 84 per cent of them said the elderly issues had improved since 2011, compared to the national average of 72 per cent. About 65 per cent also had confidence in their ability to pay for health care in their old age, compared to the national average of 50 per cent, and as low as just 38 per cent for the 35 to 44 age group.

This is borne out in the same NUS study, which found that those aged 55 to 64 were the happiest and enjoyed life the most among all age groups.

Said NUS Professor Chua Beng Huat: "It is the beginning of the end of a career and if they don't have sufficient nest eggs already in place, life can be stressful thinking about how to fund their retirement years. But most will be cushioned by the ability to monetise their housing for retirement."

But while the 55- to 64-year-olds seem content, it is not the case for the elderly aged 65 and above. This bloc of voters have been closely watched politically. An Institute of Policy Studies post-General Election 2011 analysis found that the elderly were increasingly swing voters.

This traditional PAP-voting base may have wavered due to concerns over the rising cost of living and lack of retirement savings.

These silver voters still have many concerns over their ability to pay for health-care bills despite the recent introduction of the Pioneer Generation Package, the ST survey suggests.

About 55 per cent of those 65 and above said they supported MediShield Life, lower than the national average of 64 per cent.

And 59 per cent approved of the $8 billion Pioneer Generation Package, again lower than the national average of 66 per cent.

Associate Professor Reuben Wong from the National University of Singapore said it was significant that "the people who are supposed to feel they matter, aren't feeling it".

He thinks the Government has to convince this group of seniors by effectively implementing the policies that are meant to give them a hand.

It underlines the monumental job ahead for the task force co-led by Senior Minister of State for Finance Josephine Teo and Minister of State for Health Amy Khor, to communicate and coordinate the package for these 450,000 pioneers. But even while the 55- to 64-year-olds appear very supportive of government policies, Prof Wong also cautions that this group of elderly have to be handled with care.

Measures like the Pioneer Generation Package - for those aged 65 and above this year - may have created the expectation that they too will get something when they age.

Younger Singaporeans were harder to read. They expressed higher confidence in most issues except for education, housing and transport. This is likely because these are the issues they have most contact with now.

Among the 21- to 24-year-olds, 30 per cent said it had become easier to own a first home. Yet the same number said it had not.

This dichotomy of views, suggests SLP International Property Consultants' head of research Nicholas Mak, could be a result of perception and expectations.

As they are at the start of their careers and on low incomes, "I would not be surprised if they look at the price and feel overwhelmed", he says.

By the time they start their families, their income would have increased and he is confident housing will be attainable if they go for a Build-To-Order flat.

For education, Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education says that the findings bear out the belief that students today experience much more stress than their parents did in school.

He says: "Probably many of them (now) have had private tuition and the regiment of extra lessons, parental anxiety, and assessments."

While changes have been made to the education system, they have been incremental.

Larger changes such as how to grade the PSLE on a wider range beyond T-scores, and making every school a good school, as is the Education Ministry's slogan, will take time.

And Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed out in his speech last week, Singapore schools continue to hold up well globally, and must continue to do so, even as the Government seeks to reduce the level of stress placed on students and parents.

Overall, the survey findings suggest that even as the Government has moved to address many of the issues that had caused anxiety and insecurity among voters, there are still groups that remain sceptical, especially among the middle-aged and middle class.

The Government has to pay attention to their needs and aspirations, so as to make sure their dissatisfaction does not deepen further.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]
 

winnipegjets

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
ASSISTANT MANAGER Raymond Koh, 38, is a man with many worries.

He is going to be replaced by a foreigner soon. Then, he has to give up on his flat. He can forget his car. His next job is likely to be taxi-driver or security guard. His whole family will be impacted.
He has the PAP to thank for this.
 

Scrooball (clone)

Alfrescian
Loyal
Currently those people with COEs running out are screwed. I doubt they have the upfront cash to buy the car with the limitation on loan allowed.
 

Equalisation

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
This is infuriating to say the least. We middle aged ordinary citizens are suffering !

Give us back all OUR hard-earned CPF money at age 55 NOWWW !!:mad:
 

chootchiew

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
This fella is a typical pappy supporter. He starts to worry far too late. He still have a job and only start to worry when he see himself in threat soon. He should have lost his job long ago, consider lucky liao :cool: But I believe soon he will lose his job too :wink:
 

Runifyouhaveto

Alfrescian
Loyal
in recent years, the feeling is like, every year i will know at least one family, be it relatives, colleagues, friends or old classmates who had left Singapore. Those with the ability to leave are really above-average professionals including finance officers, doctors, RMs, engineers, executives, etc.

The reasons are aplenty; cost of living, work or even children's national service obligations. In the end, i conclude that the real underlying reason is that they can have more time with family after leaving here.
 

Char_Azn

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
And this is why I keep saying U jokers need to stop complaining about helping the poor. The govt help the poor plenty. If you think they dont than U are not poor enough to get the handouts. U should start scream at them to help the middle income, thats where 90% of the population is stuck in
 
Last edited:

chonburifc

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Beri good! Vote pappies to bring in ft shits lor. Go bedok reservoir is another option lor. Nice scenery but might get congested in the near future. Book a premium spot in bedok reservoir to avoid disappointment.
 

frenchbriefs

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Basically middle income people are those that want to act atas,sophisticated and one class above the others,own car stay 5 room eat at ding tai fung drink Starbucks go ballet class get expensive tuition then complain when they have a tough time meeting expenses with their pay.fark off will ya?
 

laksaboy

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
And this is why I keep saying U jokers need to stop complaining about helping the poor. The govt help the poor plenty. If you think they dont than U are not poor enough to get the handouts. U should start scream at them to help the middle income, thats where 90% of the population is stuck in

Oh, you mean measures to help the poor such as the GST? :rolleyes:

The decimation of the middle class is precisely the PAP govt's fault.
 

Cerebral

Alfrescian (InfP) [Comp]
Generous Asset
I often wonder, what is considered middle class? Where do they draw the line? On single income or family income?
 

lifeafter41

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
He is going to be replaced by a foreigner soon. Then, he has to give up on his flat. He can forget his car. His next job is likely to be taxi-driver or security guard. His whole family will be impacted.
He has the PAP to thank for this.

I do hope that his wife is also working. If single income, loss of job and if unemployed for more than 6 months, problems starts to come in.
 

scroobal

Alfrescian
Loyal
In early 2000s, a lawyer acquaintance of mine rented out his house and rented a property close to Henry Park School. He did that 2 years before his kid was due to enter the school. The writing was on the wall - only the-well-to-do would have the means to get where they want to go. He was no mercenary and quite a decent chap.

When the PAP came to power in 1959 these things were not even in the equation. There was no elite primary school. The top from every school went to top secondary schools.

If a young Singapore couple moved to a first world country and even got by without much, their kids would have grown up in an environment to succeed. They would have an immediate advantage over a Singapore raised child on average.
 

extramarital

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
Basically middle income people are those that want to act atas,sophisticated and one class above the others,own car stay 5 room eat at ding tai fung drink Starbucks go ballet class get expensive tuition then complain when they have a tough time meeting expenses with their pay.fark off will ya?

The middle income Ah Lians also like to carry LV or Gucci bags and wear Rolex watches. They also ride taxicabs everyday instead of MRT if they are not qualified to get a driver's license. They also carry platinum Visa or MasterCard credit cards. They consider themselves to be hip.
 
Last edited:

garlic

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
They eat at restaurants, take selfies and post on fb, instagram this and that, twit here and there to give themselves the illusion of living the high-life. End of the day, they dread having to think what their future will hold in 5 years' time. Living each day as it comes..
 
Top