Those of us lucky enough to have spent many years living and working in Singapore may one day decide to spend all or part of our retirement here. We have learnt to appreciate and often love this country and have accumulated enough wealth to absorb the high cost of living, without ever becoming a burden to society or state.

I, for example, have worked here for 12 years as a managing director of two multinational companies. I retired two years ago and since Singapore is truly my preferred country, my first choice worldwide, I decided to retire here.

I spend about $130,000 a year in Singapore, thus contributing to the economy. I have savings to last me two lifetimes, health insurance as well as state and company pensions from outside Singapore.

For how long will we 'silver' expats and PRs be allowed to turn our silver into gold? Can we expect to be welcome in Singapore for a sustainable period of time?

Will our PR status be renewed if we just spend and don't work (pay taxes)? Will we have the necessary planning security to make larger investments (property)?

Can we expect a safer planning period than the maximum 10 years currently granted to PRs?

A clarification of these questions for all affluent retirees is thus important and reassuring in this ongoing discussion.

Michael Dietrich