To The Moon

1.Live Review Introduction

🔗 Unlocking Your SRS Potential

Tiger Brokers livestream hosted by Esther from Tiger Community, featuring Kenny Loh, Wealth Advisory Director and REITs specialist. In this recap, Kenny explains the catch in SRS: the default interest rate, the withdrawal rules and why inflation makes idle cash costly.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the guest speaker and do not represent the official views of Tiger Brokers or its affiliates. This content is strictly for education and discussion purposes and does not constitute financial advice.

Want to see more of the livestream recap? Check it out here>>

• Live Recap 1: SRS 101 — What It Is, Who Can Use It, and Where Singapore's $23.9bn Actually Goes

• Live Recap 3: How SRS Cuts Your Tax Bill — Two Worked Examples

• Live Recap 4: Putting SRS Money to Work — ETFs, REITs, Insurance and Retirement Income

2.The Limitations of SRS

Kenny listed four:

• Interest of only 0.05%

• The annual cap ($15,300 for Citizens/PRs, $35,700 for foreigners)

• A 5% penalty plus 100% tax on the amount withdrawn before retirement age

• Special withdrawal rules (50% or 100% of the amount taxable) for death, medical grounds, bankruptcy and full withdrawal by a foreigner

Unlike CPF, SRS lets you withdraw early, but at a price. Kenny added that the penalty-free withdrawal age follows the statutory retirement age, which is 63–64 today and rising. He suggested that opening an account early can lock in the age that applies at the time.

3.$100,000 for 10 Years: $501 vs $48,024

Kenny's comparison: $100,000 left in SRS at 0.05% grows to $100,501 in ten years, just $501 in interest. At an assumed 4% return, for example from reinvested dividends, the same sum reaches $148,024, a gain of $48,024.

4.Twenty Years of Compounding

Stretch it to 20 years and the gap widens. A $100,000 SRS balance reaches:

• $101,005 at 0.05%

• $219,112 at 4%

• $466,096 at 8%

These are illustrations, not forecasts, and higher returns come with higher risk.

5.Inflation Is the Real Benchmark

Singapore's food inflation is currently 2.2%. Kenny said the long-run inflation range has been about 1.5–2% and that oil prices and geopolitical risk could keep it elevated. His rule of thumb: whatever you do with SRS money, aim at least to beat inflation, or your purchasing power shrinks.

6.Q&A Highlights: Withdrawals

• Tax on retirement-age withdrawals: Kenny used a $40,000 withdrawal as an illustration. Only 50% ($20,000) is taxable, and with no other income the tax could be minimal. He stressed planning your withdrawals.

• Special-case withdrawals (50% or 100% taxable): This depends on IRAS's assessment of your circumstances. Kenny said he can't advise on tax and pointed viewers to IRAS.

• Withdrawing shares instead of cash: Kenny believes an in-kind transfer is possible, but advised checking with your bank and broker first.

Closing Takeaway

The problem with SRS isn't the scheme but leaving the money idle. At 0.05%, cash falls behind inflation, and the early-withdrawal penalty means you should only contribute what you can lock away for the long term.

7.Risk Reminder

Investment returns shown are illustrative and not guaranteed. Withdrawal and tax rules may change. Viewers without sufficient foundational knowledge are advised to complete education modules before initiating live positions.

8.Post-Event Resources

Follow Kenny Loh on YouTube (Kenny Loh Financial Wisdom, @KennyLohFinancialWisdom), Tothemoon ( @Kenny_Loh / @REITsavvy), or via the REITsavvy website. The full livestream replay is available on the Tiger Trade app.