Life After 65: How Singapore’s Seniors Are Working and Volunteering
For a growing number of Singaporeans, turning 65 is not the end of working life. Many are healthier, better educated and more comfortable with technology than earlier generations, and are using retirement to start something new.
- Organisation highlighted
- RSVP Singapore, a non-profit that encourages senior volunteering
- Featured workers
- A 71-year-old horticulturist with 44 years at Mandai Wildlife Group, and a former IT professional who volunteers in digital skills
- Community project
- A pocket garden in Yishun built by seniors from St Luke’s ElderCare
Working Well Past 65
Said Mohamed started at what was then the Singapore Zoo at 27 and spent 44 years caring for its plants. He is now assistant manager for horticulture at Mandai Wildlife Group. He still knows the native and scientific names of the plants he looks after, and remembers planting a tree that now stands at the entrance to the proboscis monkey exhibit. He also met his future wife through work, as she was his supervisor.
Volunteering With Skills
Santhanam Srinivasan, an IT professional, began volunteering after a career break in 2022, teaching seniors how to use digital apps through RSVP Singapore. He went back to work in 2023 but kept volunteering. Now retired from a government technology agency, he teaches several times a month and helps the organisation with its volunteer and donation systems. He is one of a growing group of older Singaporeans who put their professional experience to use in the community, alongside more traditional roles such as befriending.
A Garden Built by Seniors
In Yishun, a small community garden between housing blocks has been transformed into a playful space with Disney-themed displays and a miniature pond. A 26-foot section features Singapore landmarks made from recycled materials. The garden was created by residents of a senior centre run by St Luke’s ElderCare, including a retired florist, a retired accountant and a retired caterer.
Why Volunteering Matters
As Singapore becomes a super-aged society, the executive director of RSVP Singapore, Edna Claudine Leong, argues that volunteering offers older adults a way to stay active, build relationships and contribute to a more connected community. The organisation offers tips for seniors who are new to volunteering and do not have experience.
Caring for Others
The chief executive of St Luke’s ElderCare, who began her career in obstetrics, says her work has given her a broader view of life across the age spectrum. She also enjoys gardening, which she describes as hard work that brings its own rewards.
