The money may belong to the individual but it is held in trust by the government as part of a social policy designed to ensure a minimum amount of savings beyond the retirement age.
This scheme has been part and parcel of the Singapore system for a long time and the government has been given a mandate to modify the rules at every GE.
The concept is simple and straightforward... if you have saved more than the minimum requirements, you can withdraw the excess. If you haven't, it means you do not qualify and the government is therefore entitled to manage the funds for you.
It's an excellent scheme and I congratulate the PAP for managing the funds to the benefit of all Singaporeans.
Why should the gov hold in trust money of a 55 year old and need to teach the bugger how to retire?
Answer : the gov does not want the burden to house desitute ( and that is if there are any who will become one after spending his retirement income reckessly) or have their image tarnished with poor and homeless in numbers, which is real anyway in any country, when foreign media or tourists visit.
They will rather closet their 'poor' and still keeping them going as if it is worth their while to slowly chip back those funds from their iron fist.
The gov would rather Sinkie kill themselves quietly thru suicide if they cannot take it ,which they can opt not to report as it stands now and still create a false farcade for 'outsiders' to think all Sinkie are doing very well even after they retire.