Many people, including pioneers, who retire too early may find it hard to maintain their basic lifestyles as they do not have sufficient savings ("Help pioneers struggling with retirement funds" by Mr Paul Chan Poh Hoi; Nov 14).

Some have their assets tied up in property. These retirees should tap the various government schemes to monetise their property, or sublet a room or their whole flat.

The post-war generations of people are expected to live longer and, naturally, will face financial challenges. They must have a retirement plan when they are in their early 40s.

The Central Provident Fund alone will not be able to provide enough for retirees if they work less than 35 years. These retirees would be among the poorest of the elderly.

Hence, the Government is trying to stabilise the social safety net to protect and enhance the income of the poorest.

However, what the Government cannot interfere with is the choice of workers to retire early without taking into consideration the amount of cash required to sustain their lifestyle.

The state must consider the future of Singapore and the current and next generations of taxpayers.

The elderly should utilise the various government schemes to strengthen their retirement adequacy and consider working longer. We should not make the tax burden on the young become so unbearable that they choose to emigrate.

Francis Cheng