a little out of topic, but don't you think that putting that cash in another nest, say blue chip stocks provide a better return through dividends and of course, take prudent steps to ensure minimal capital depreciation?
At least then the cash is fluid no?
Cos assuming I put cash into CPF yearly, I will never be able to touch or see those cash ever again unless I live to a ripe old age?
Off-topic: Yes, on paper, putting money into CPF might seem stupid, as there are better investment products out there (not just blue chips) that provide a better return as compared to CPF's OA. Imo,
it's how your spread your risk across a portfolio of assets to get the maximum return across your portfolio.
CPF's OA interest is low, but it is (almost) risk-free. Govt won't default on your CPF's money, provided you live to ripe old age la (this one no one can tell) or if the govt doesn't continue to shift the goalposts further upwards. If you die, then too bad. if policy changes, also too bad. Life is like this. You can plan all you want, but when death comes, you only can prepare yourself to take it.
Nonetheless, what I'm trying to say is that when you're buying a public housing, it's the purchase of the subsidized 99-year lease, not the property or the building. The property and land still belongs to HDB (i.e. govt.) The best strategy is to pay it up asap, then think further ahead what you want to do in life. Sell it off, get a private property, it all depends on how much you can afford at that point in time. But at least when crisis hits, you got a fully-paid pigeon hole over your head. Anyway, sg property always worth something because we are land-scarce. It doesn't really matter where you buy, you won't lose or gain much in the short-medium run.
Side-note: Have you ever seen average income people get extremely rich via stocks, bonds, etc? These people are few and far between. Why? It's all about re-investing back a certain 'spread' into another product with a better return. If you have little capital, you earn a small spread. Simple as that. Don't forget about the risk that accompanies every investment decision. You'll never really get truly 'rich' but you'll get there, slowly.
During my time in business school and now, my friends always say this - you need to gain capital: slowly, steadily and make wise maneuvers in the market to become rich. Buy, sell, buy again. Whatever floats your boat. Trust me, if you manage to die with at least three fully-paid properties (private) in Singapore, your descendants will reap the benefits of your decisions today.
I certainly hope that I can. Haha.
But first - I'll take a reasonably-priced, solid and down-to-earth roof over my head paid up in 10 years first. Everything else, can wait. Hope this helps.