Explore every episode of the podcast Let's Talk CPF

Wondering about the latest CPF changes and how they affect your financial future? 

In this final episode of Let's Talk CPF, Shaun Loh from CPF Board's Policy department unpacks the significant CPF changes that are taking effect this year. Whether you're a young a professional, a gig worker, or approaching retirement, this episode offers valuable insights to help you better understand these important updates. 

In this episode, we are joined by Assistant Professor Ian Ang from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, as we explore the recently announced MediShield Life enhancements following an extensive review. 

We discuss the scheme's basics, key changes coming in 2025, including increased claim limits and expanded coverage, and explain premium increases. Find out more about government support measures and the importance of responsible healthcare consumption to ensure the sustainability of Singapore's healthcare system.

Wondering how to start planning your finances to attain a sense of financial calm? Not sure what to consider or if you are on the right track?

Join Calvin and Hui Li as they break down the basics of financial planning through simple rules of thumb for savings, insurance, and investment in the Basic Financial Planning Guide.

Curious about how to safeguard your CPF savings against scams?

Join us in this episode as Tay Li Lin, Senior Manager at CPF’s Retirement Withdrawals Department, provides insights into CPF Board’s anti-scam measures and the recently lowered Daily Withdrawal Limit for online CPF withdrawals.

What is CPF LIFE? What is an annuity? Do I lose out because my CPF LIFE interest goes into the common pool? How does it work?

These are common questions in members’ minds when CPF LIFE is mentioned.

Tune in to this episode where we uncover the basics of CPF LIFE, debunk common misconceptions and share tools to help you plan your retirement with Serene Ng, who is part of the team administering the CPF LIFE scheme in CPF Board.

Kickstart your retirement planning at cpf.gov.sg/CPFplanner

What happens to your CPF savings when you pass away without a nomination? Why can't you just rely on a Will to distribute your CPF savings? And how do you even make a CPF nomination?

In this episode, we delve into the significance of CPF nominations in legacy planning with Nuraininadiah from CPF Board. Join us as we discuss the limitations of Wills in covering CPF savings, the implications of not having a CPF nomination, and the importance of regularly reviewing your nomination.

Visit cpf.gov.sg/CPFNom to make your nomination today!

Are internships important? How should students determine which internships are the right fit, and how do you even go about securing one? Fret not.

Tune in to this episode of Let's Talk CPF as Catherine Neo, who leads the internship team at Singapore Polytechnic, shares useful tips on finding the ideal internship for your professional growth and debunks common internship myths.

How much does it cost to own a pet? Is pet insurance necessary for our furkids?

Financial planning is a crucial part of being a responsible pet owner. In this episode, hear from Dr Teo Boon Han, President of the Singapore Veterinary Association and Managing Partner at VetTrust Singapore, as he shares expert advice and tips on managing the costs of pet ownership in Singapore. 

Does your salary increase with every job switch? Do employers see short stints as a red flag? In this episode, we explore the complex landscape of job-hopping and its impact on one’s career and skill development. 

NTUC’s e2i career coach, Eric Donny De Silva, and job-hopper Seline, offer insights into this trend, discussing its motivations and challenges. Tune in to gain valuable advice on navigating career transitions, which can help you make informed decisions in this dynamic job market.

NFS, D-NOA, AIS, FEDR - What are these terms and what do they mean? Tax season is upon us, with filing commencing on 1 March.

Tune in for a crash course on filing your personal taxes and reducing your tax bill with Yi Jing, Manager (Individual Income Tax Division) at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). She will also share expert tips for both employed and self-employed taxpayers

With car ownership costs remaining high, you may have wondered whether car-sharing is a viable transport alternative. But how does it work and how exactly does it differ from car rental? 

If you have asked these questions before, then this episode is for you. Hear from Joel Koh, Content Manager at Seedly, as he shares his expertise and advice on how to make best use of car-sharing as one of your transport options.

With any big decision in life, it is always helpful to dedicate some time to research and consider options – and pre-planning for the unexpected is no exception. Rather than viewing pre-planning as a taboo subject, consider how doing this can benefit yourself and your loved ones in the future.

Join Xiao Yan and Cynthia as they share why pre-planning is one of the most valuable gifts to our loved ones and how we can make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), Advance Care Plan (ACP) and Advance Medical Directive (AMD).

We have spent most of our lives saving for retirement. But when retirement draws near, many of us do not know where and how to start enjoying the fruits of our labour. At what age should we start spending our retirement funds? Should we draw down from our CPF account first? How can our retirement nest egg last a lifetime?

In this episode, Lorna Tan, Head of Financial Literacy Training, DBS Bank, answers all our questions on spending our retirement funds wisely, also known as decumulation. 

Death can be a costly affair that saps your wealth! Find out how we can make estate plans to ensure we leave our loved ones with a legacy upon our demise.

Albert Tan, Financial Literacy Trainer at MoneyOwl joins us for this podcast.

Is there a good age to teach children about money? How can you help them to differentiate between needs and wants? How do you teach your kids to be the next generation of consumers?

Tune in to this episode to hear from Ferris Wee, Master Trainer at the Institute for Financial Literacy as he shares advice and practical tips on how he instils money sense in his child.

If you've enjoyed this episode, you can read 3 things you didn't know about teaching your kid about money to revisit the tips!

Financial planning might seem overwhelming as a first jobber, but it helps when we break down big goals into small wins.

Hear from Albert Tan, Financial Literacy Trainer at MoneyOwl, on how we can start out financial planning journey - from basic budgeting to investing.

If you enjoyed this podcast and would like to find out more about how to be your own Small Wins CEO, you can read: How to win at adulting as a first jobber.

Should you pay off your mortgage early with cash on hand? Or is it better to invest this amount instead? 

Hear from Eileen Pang, Sales Director at MortgageWise.sg, as she breaks down the pros and cons of either option, and shares some alternatives that homeowners can consider to lower their monthly mortgage payments.

Do you give your parents an allowance? Why do you give your parents an allowance and how much is enough?

Filial piety is important in Asian culture and those who do not ‘give back’ to their parents who have raised them are deemed ungrateful.

Join our returning guests, Nicole Ng, Head of Learning and Partnerships and Priscilla Lam, Creative Lead from The Simple Sum as they share their personal experiences on how they navigated this and managed their parents’ expectations. They also share alternative ways on how you can show filial piety and love to your parents.

And if you are new to the world of adulting, you can read: CPF for fresh graduates– what to know and do.

Singapore is home to more than 210,000 caregivers, with about 70% of them aged 40 and above. This “sandwiched generation” often have to deal with the financial, physical, and psycho-social responsibilities of caring for the elderly and the young.

Does this resonate with you?
 
Hear from Angela Kwek, Deputy Director, Healthcare Claims & Payment, CPF & May Heap, Senior Medical Social Worker, SingHealth Community Hospitals as they touch on the experiences that caregivers face. They will also share insights on the various support measures for current and future caregivers.

Read how a recipient of CareShield Life continued to smile with the support from CPF in her recovery journey here.

Do you find yourself spending more now that you’re back in the office?

Join Nicole Ng, Head of Learning and Partnerships and Priscilla Lam, Creative Lead from The Simple Sum as they discuss and share their experience being back at the office, how inflation, temptation and peer pressure have impacted their wallets and useful tips on managing your budget and peers.

And if you're looking at ways to stretch your dollar and better plan your finances, you can read: How to manage your spending to counter inflation.

Working in an office or from anywhere in the world– Which would you prefer?

With the introduction of more digital technologies, hear from our returning guest, Jeshua Soh, Principal at Decacorn Capital, entrepreneur and filmmaker on how he balances work while travelling, the challenges he faced and how remote work has changed his view on the future of work.    

With most COVID-19 travel restrictions lifted, you may be planning your next holiday. But how do you make the best out of your travel budget?

Tune in to this podcast with Jeshua Soh, Principal at Decacorn Capital, entrepreneur and filmmaker as he shares his experience travelling solo in 55 different countries across five continents and practical tips on how to stretch your dollar without sacrificing the experience.

Losses are part and parcel of investing. So, how can you prepare yourself to manage them?

Tune in to this podcast where John Lim from Live Young and Well shares the lessons he learned, how he readjusted his lifestyle and how he rebalanced his portfolio after losing a five-digit sum in the crypto crash.

With rising cost of living, how can your hard-earned savings retain spending power? 

Tune in to this podcast with Tan Chin Yu, Senior Client Adviser at Providend, for tips on what to consider when planning and investing with retirement in mind.

The definition of a dream job varies from person to person and with the current employment climate, you might be wondering if this is the right time to take the next step towards landing one.

Tune in to this podcast where we pick the mind of Senior Career Coach Wong Chee Leong from Workforce Singapore. You’ll learn tips to stand out to a potential employer and gain essential knowledge on how to make that big move with confidence.

For more information about career guidance, visit Careers Connect (go.gov.sg/cpfwsgpodcast).

Singapore has one of the highest life expectancies in the world — which means that healthcare coverage should be one of the considerations in retirement planning. 

Tune in to this podcast episode where Wendy Ong, Manager from the CPF Healthcare Insurance Department explains how your MediSave, MediShield Life and CareShield Life work hand-in-hand to keep you protected for life.

“One unique feature of the system is the seamless manner in which CPF helps us accumulate and decumulate retirement savings that automatically translates to an income stream for life in retirement.”  

In this podcast episode, Professor Cherian, who was a Practice Professor of Finance at the NUS Business School shares about the unique features of CPF that helps it stand out from pension systems around the world, and what retirement means to him.

Should you sell your current flat first before buying another? What's the difference between HDB loans and bank loans?

In the second of a two-part series for HDB second-timers, hear from Mr Jerry Su, Deputy Director and Ms Faustina Tan, Senior Estate Manager from HDB's Home Ownership Eligibility Department as they share important information that you need to know before buying your second flat 

Are you looking to upgrade to a bigger HDB flat in the near future? How can you prepare yourself for the big move, without over-stretching your finances and compromising your retirement? 

In the first of a two-part series focusing on would-be HDB upgraders, hear from Mr Wong Yong Kang, Manager at CPF Board’s Housing Schemes Department, as he explains how you can manage your home financing and CPF use for housing to put yourself in the best position to secure your next flat. 

When choosing your career path, do you follow your heart or choose a job that provides you and your family with stability? 

In this episode, we sit down with recent graduates, Amelia Siew from Nanyang Polytechnic and Renny Nadira from LASALLE College of the Arts as they discuss this age-old question. 

Did you know that practising kindness keeps you young? 

Tune in to our podcast with Singapore Kindness Movement's General Secretary, Dr William Wan to find out how you can maintain your youth while doing good!

Been thinking of volunteering but not sure how to start? 
Tune in to this episode to hear from CPF Volunteer, Chung Yin Wah and CPF Staff, Laura Eng, as they share about their volunteering experiences and offer tips on how you can make volunteering work for you.

Heard about the change in the CPF Retirement Sum, but not sure how it affects you?

Tune in to this episode where Cindi Ang and Nathaniel Ng from the CPF Board share more about the CPF Retirement sums, why it was raised and how it will affect your monthly payouts in your retirement. 

Following our previous episode, former radio personality and founder of Madly Gems, Maddy Barber shares more about pursuing her passion, what she has learnt as a lady boss, her ideal retirement and how she is working towards it.

This is the final part of a 2-episode podcast series.

Do you know what your calling or passion in life is? When is it a good time to leave your job to pursue your new-found passion?

Tune in to hear from Maddy Barber, retired radio DJ and founder of Madly Gems as she shares about leaving one of her passions for another; and offers advice to others who are thinking of making a mid-career switch to pursue their passion.

This is the first part of a 2-episode podcast series.

When is a good time for young couples to purchase their first home, and what factors should they be paying attention to? 

Ryan Ong, Partner at Stacked Homes, discusses some considerations and alternatives available to  them in this podcast episode.

Are you a ‘mumpreneur’ or planning to become one?


Michelle Hon, the blogger behind @thechillmom, built a business from her home — all while raising three kids! In this podcast episode, she chats about her entrepreneurial journey, how she discusses money with her kids, and offers practical tips to mothers aspiring to start their own businesses.

Here’s another podcast episode on Keeping Your Health and Wealth Amid COVID-19.

This time, our returning guest, Joel Lim, content creator and founder of ZYRUP Media, talks about the pandemic’s financial impact on the creative sector, as well as financial tips to pick up.

This is the final part of a 2-episode podcast series.

With COVID-19 looking like it's going to be here for the long-term, how can we remain mentally and socially healthy?

Tune in to hear from our guest, Joel Lim, founder of ZYRUP Media, as well as a content creator and mental health advocate. In this podcast, Joel shares how he is getting through this difficult period, and dishes out tips and resources on maintaining healthy relationships and mental wellness. 

This is the first part of a 2- episode podcast series.

Can’t wait to get the latest gadget, but feeling strapped for cash? It is easy to get hold of what you want with the “buy now, pay later” arrangement. 

With this payment mode gaining popularity on online shopping platforms, what should you look out for before deciding whether to #BuyNowPayLater? Hear from Ms Tan Huey Min, Head of Credit Counselling Singapore!

Top daddy blogger Kelvin Ang shares how cheekiemonkie.net got started, the way he and his wife manage their finances, and tips on building good money habits in his three kids.

Heard about the new Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS), but not sure how it benefits you and your loved ones? 

Listen in as Aunty Serene finds out more in this phone call with a CPF officer.

Wondering how to clinch the promotion you deserve and take steps towards your financial future? 

For anyone wanting to get ahead in your career and finances — this episode is for you. Find out from Ms Jacqueline Chua, President of the Financial Women's Association Singapore, on how to achieve your career and financial goals. 

Thinking of retiring at a specific age? Wondering how you can achieve your retirement goal within your chosen timeframe? 

Hear from Mr He Ruiming, Co-founder of The Woke Salaryman, as he shares the story behind the creation of The Woke Salaryman, the motivation behind his goal of retiring at 35 and practical tips on loving within your means to achieve your retirement goals!

Finally saved a little pot of money after a few years of working, and wondering how to invest and grow your funds? 

Hear from Mr Kelvin Goh, Head of Wealth Advisory at OCBC Bank, as he advises Andy, an average employee in his early 30s who wants to make his money work harder for him. The problem is: Andy has no idea how to start.

What does retirement mean to Minister Josephine Teo?  We sit down with her for a chat about CPF, financial planning and more. Tune in to find out her tips on leveraging CPF for retirement and ways to accumulate more savings. 

Wondering how you can put together a financial game plan now that you have started your first job? 

Hear from Glenn Yong, Head of Agency Business Development at Great Eastern, as he shares financial tips for young adults who have just received their first pay cheque.

As a self-employed person, you are your own boss and have the freedom to pursue your passion while enjoying flexible hours. 

But it often means not having the security of a monthly pay-check. 

Tune in to find out from actor-lecturer Dennis Toh, how self-employed persons should plan for their financial future and what areas they need to look into.

As parents, we want the best for our children so that they can achieve their goals and dreams. We can provide them with the best living and learning environments, but what’s equally important is to inculcate good financial habits from a young age, which will help them in many ways down the road. Find out from Sun You Ning, Co-CEO of Endowus, as he shares practical tips on discussing money with your children.

We’ve all heard the saying that ‘In Singapore, you can die but you can’t fall sick’. Is this really true? Find out how MediShield Life and MediSave can be used to support you in paying for your medical needs.