Leading up to the discussion on 23 June, the three panellists have provided their own thoughts on the topic.
- Laletha Nithiyanandan
"I feel we need to make the best of every stage in our lives and every age is perfect if we can look for what it has to offer.
For me it’s a time when we can finally focus on ourselves because we have completed most of our obligations and at this point most things we do are a matter of choice.
But even for those who still have to look after others, or have obligations to meet, we can draw wisdom from our experience and have a stronger foundation to stand on.
To me it’s about ageing with the 3 Gs: Grace; gratitude; and generosity of spirit.
Wouldn’t it be nice to appreciate and celebrate each day we have and leave having added to the people around us and help them feel good about themselves and where they are at in their life?"
- Lee Chiwi
"I had a client who was setting up a trust for the benefit of his two grandchildren. Each time, on the client’s visit, he would bring along his two young grandchildren to my office.
The younger grandchild, a little boy aged four at that time understood, even at that tender age, that his grandfather was giving him moneys in some form and that the "big company" will be taking care of things for him.
The eventual giving by the trustees years later will be a reminder to them of Grandpa’s goodness and evoke pleasant memories. Hence, this simple concept of providing your inheritance is something that every silver-haired person could consider."
- Prof Jeremy Monteiro
"As I move into my silver years and turn 62 this year, I think about what I can do, both to serve the scene and also find fulfillment.
Seeing the young ones I have helped to mentor come into their own as musicians and achieve levels higher than what I have achieved is, to me, the "gold" at the end of my “chasing rainbows” journey.
I still think I have time to create more gold, and catalysing the symphonic jazz scene over the next few years will keep me happy, engaged and challenged. If I can see symphonic jazz take root in Singapore by the time I am 70, that would be my next pot of gold."
