Singlife Partners Singapore Management University to Advance Retirement Readiness Research and Talent Development

The collaboration aims to generate insights to close protection and retirement gaps and guide practical solutions

Leading homegrown financial services company Singlife today announces a partnership with the Singapore Management University (SMU) to collaborate on retirement readiness research and support the development of actuarial science talent in Singapore.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Singlife and SMU will work together to identify and develop potential areas of collaboration in retirement readiness research. SMU, through its newly launched Longevity Societies and Economies Institute (LSEI)^[1], will contribute academic perspectives, research frameworks and global best practices, while Singlife will provide customer insights and industry expertise. The research will focus on retirement adequacy and understanding the level of savings required amidst healthcare inflation and rising financial needs. Findings from the research will be published in a joint white paper in the second half of 2027. Both organisations will also explore opportunities to support actuarial science talent development through scholarships, internships and other training initiatives, in collaboration with SMU’s School of Economics.

This collaboration is one of several strategic partnerships established by LSEI across government, academia, society and the economy to solve complex problems. Singlife’s participation demonstrates how public, private and people sectors can come together to address important issues facing Singapore as it becomes a super-aged society, where one in five are aged 65 and above. This reflects how a multi-faceted, whole-of-society approach can work to advance solutions in areas such as retirement adequacy, improving health spans, and ageing well and in place.

The Singlife Financial Freedom Index 2024^[2] found that 71% of respondents do not feel confident they can retire whenever they choose. While four in five aim to retire by age 65, they expect to need a median of S$2,856 per month for daily expenses in retirement, compared to median monthly savings of S$1,682.

“Singlife is committed to closing critical protection and retirement gaps as Singapore navigates the realities of a super-aged society. Through our partnership with SMU, we aim to combine customer insights with academic rigour to better understand evolving retirement needs and translate these into practical solutions. Together, we hope to support Singaporeans in planning for longevity with greater confidence, security and purpose,” said Debra Soon, Group Head of Brand, Communications, Marketing and Experience, Singlife.

“LSEI aims to understand the integrated systems level shifts we must pursue as longer lifespans and the reality of a hundred-year life reshape how we work, age and live. This partnership with Singlife will advance research in a key facet of our social and economic system - retirement readiness. The insights from LSEI must shape the perspectives of our next generation of actuarial talent. Singlife’s support in scholarships, internships and training opportunities will ensure that we build these new capabilities in Singapore. Together, our efforts will deliver impact by translating insights into practical solutions that can enhance financial security and confidence in retirement - in Singapore and across Asia,” said Dr. Cheong Wei Yang, Interim Co-Director, SMU LSEI; Vice Provost (Strategic Research Partnerships), SMU.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the SMU LSEI launch event[3] on 14 April 2026. At the event, Singlife contributed to multi-stakeholder discussions on building financial and social resilience in later life, highlighting the need for stronger integration between financial preparedness, healthcare and community support systems.

Separately, SMU’s Centre for Case Learning Excellence is developing a case study of Singlife as an academic resource, focusing on its transformation journey as a company that is building a better way for Singaporeans to plan, protect and prepare for their financial futures.

^{[1] The institute will advance interdisciplinary research, convene leaders across sectors, and collaborate with partners in Singapore and across Asia to co-create solutions for resilient, inclusive and opportunity-rich longevity societies.}

^{[2] Source: Singlife Financial Freedom Index (FFI) | Data & Insights SG.}

^{[3] The SMU LSEI launch is held in conjunction with the 17th World Ageing Festival.}