Seniors are flipping the script on retirement

For a growing number of seniors, 65 is not the finish line when it comes to work or volunteering. Often healthier, better educated and more tech-savvy than the same cohort a generation earlier, retirement for them has become the launching pad for their second act.

Mandai Wildlife Group assistant manager for horticulture Said Mohamed spent 44 years working with plants and has both their native and biological names at his green fingertips.

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Published Oct 11, 2026, 05:00 AM

Updated Oct 11, 2026, 05:00 AM

When it comes to work, 60 is the new 40: Seniors are still clocking in, not cashing out

Said Mohamed’s life is deeply rooted in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.

Not surprising, as he started working at the then Singapore Zoo at the age of 27 and spent the next 44 years proudly watching his “leafy children” stretch towards the sun, weather the elements and blossom into their full potential under his protective care.

One such “child” is the 50m-tall buah sentul, or cotton fruit tree, that sits at the entrance to the proboscis monkey exhibit at the wildlife reserve. He planted it as a seedling and nurtured it for the next 40 years.

“I also met and married my supervisor at the zoo,” said the 71-year-old, laughing.

With more to give, S’pore seniors turn a lifetime of skills and experience into volunteer work

Santhanam Srinivasan (right) showing digital apps to Leong Wing Sun (centre) and Sheila Lim at RSVP Singapore on Sep 25. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

Santhanam Srinivasan (right) showing digital apps to Leong Wing Sun (centre) and Sheila Lim at RSVP Singapore on Sep 25.

It was a career break during Covid-19 in 2022 that set Santhanam Srinivasan on an unexpected path.

Looking to fill his time meaningfully, the IT professional came across an open house by RSVP Singapore, a non-profit organisation that encourages senior volunteerism. He signed up to teach seniors digital applications and tools. He returned to work in 2023, but continued volunteering.

The 64-year-old, who retired from GovTech in 2025, teaches three to four times monthly, with each session lasting for three hours. He also serves on RSVP’s project steering committee to help implement new volunteer and donation management systems.

More older Singaporeans like Santhanam are bringing decades of professional expertise to help others, on top of traditional roles like befriending.

From trash to treasure: A community garden in Yishun that brings joy to all

(From left) Jasmine Tan, retired florist; Christina Koh, part-time cleaner, Irene Oh, retired accountant; Clifford Leung, retired food caterer, and Eileen Ang, homemaker at St Luke’s ElderCare Active Ageing Centre (Care) @ Nee Soon East Blk 260 Yishun Street 22, on Sep 4. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

(From left) Jasmine Tan, retired florist; Christina Koh, part-time cleaner, Irene Oh, retired accountant; Clifford Leung, retired food caterer, and Eileen Ang, homemaker at St Luke’s ElderCare Active Ageing Centre (Care) @ Nee Soon East Blk 260 Yishun Street 22, on Sep 4.

A riot of colour and whimsy has transformed a small space tucked between housing blocks in Yishun into a Disney-themed wonderland.

Mickey and Minnie figurines join Winnie the Pooh bears in a picnic around a pastel-hued tiered birthday cake. White pebbles form Mickey Mouse silhouettes along pathways that wind past a rainbow arch, a fleet of toy cars, polka-dotted toadstools and a miniature pond with darting guppies and goldfish.

Nearby the 60-foot pocket garden is a 26-foot stretch of greenery, where Singapore’s icons like the Merlion, Singapore Flyer, Changi Airport and the Esplanade are hand-crafted from recycled materials.

The community garden nestled in Yishun Street 22, rewards those who linger.

No experience? No problem: How seniors can start volunteering

Santhanam Srinivasan, (left) an RSVP Singapore volunteer, shows Leong Wing Sun (centre) and Sheila Lim how to operate a drone. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

Santhanam Srinivasan, (left) an RSVP Singapore volunteer, shows Leong Wing Sun (centre) and Sheila Lim how to operate a drone.

As Singapore becomes a super-aged society, senior volunteerism offers a powerful way to redefine ageing. It allows older adults to remain active contributors, strengthen social bonds and contribute to the wider community.

Staying engaged benefits not only the individuals themselves, but also builds a more cohesive society, said Edna Claudine Leong, executive director of RSVP Singapore, a non-profit organisation that encourages senior volunteerism.

For seniors keen to get started, here are five tips.

Tending to gardens and the elderly

(From left) Retired florist Jasmine Tan, part-time cleaner Christina Koh, retired accountant Irene Oh, retired food caterer Clifford Leung and homemaker Eileen Ang at St Luke’s ElderCare Active Ageing Centre on Sep 4. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

(From left) Retired florist Jasmine Tan, part-time cleaner Christina Koh, retired accountant Irene Oh, retired food caterer Clifford Leung and homemaker Eileen Ang at St Luke’s ElderCare Active Ageing Centre on Sep 4.

I always joke that my career trajectory has taken me on a journey from “womb to tomb”.

My earlier training was in obstetrics, but this has swung to the other end of the age spectrum, as Chief Executive Officer of St Luke’s ElderCare.

It has been an interesting path, and it has given me an expanded and deeper appreciation of life.

I am also an aspiring gardener. I’m often motivated by inspiring stories of horticultural success, and end up perspiring under sun to make my garden work.

对于越来越多的老年人来说，65岁并非工作或志愿服务的终点。他们往往比上一代同龄人更健康、受教育程度更高、更精通科技，退休已成为他们人生第二篇章的起点。

万代野生动物集团园艺助理经理赛义德·穆罕默德从事植物相关工作 44 年，对植物的本地名称和生物学名称都了如指掌。

ST 摄影：AZMI ATHNI

发布于2026年10月11日 上午5:00

更新于2026年10月11日上午5:00

就工作而言，60岁才是新的40岁：老年人仍在努力工作，而不是退休。

赛义德·穆罕默德的生活与曼代野生动物保护区有着深厚的联系。

这不足为奇，因为他 27 岁就开始在当时的新加坡动物园工作，并在接下来的 44 年里，自豪地看着他的“绿叶孩子们”向着太阳伸展，经受住各种考验，并在他的精心呵护下充分发挥潜力。

其中一棵他亲手栽种的“孩子”是高达50米的棉花果树，它位于野生动物保护区长鼻猴展区的入口处。他当初把它种下，并在接下来的40年里精心照料。

“我还在动物园遇到了我的主管，并和他结婚了，”这位71岁的老人笑着说。

新加坡老年人乐于奉献，将毕生技能和经验转化为志愿服务。

9月25日，在RSVP新加坡，Santhanam Srinivasan（右）向Leong Wing Sun（中）和Sheila Lim展示数字应用程序。（海峡时报摄影：GIN TAY）

9 月 25 日，Santhanam Srinivasan（右）在 RSVP Singapore 向 Leong Wing Sun（中）和 Sheila Lim 展示数字应用程序。

2022 年新冠疫情期间的一次职业中断，让桑塔纳姆·斯里尼瓦桑走上了一条意想不到的道路。

为了充实自己的时间，这位IT从业者偶然发现了新加坡RSVP（一家鼓励老年人参与志愿服务的非营利组织）举办的开放日活动。他报名参加了为老年人教授数字应用和工具的志愿服务。2023年他重返工作岗位，但仍然坚持做志愿者。

这位64岁的老人将于2025年从政府科技部门退休，目前每月授课三到四次，每次持续三个小时。他还担任RSVP项目指导委员会成员，协助实施新的志愿者和捐赠管理系统。

像桑塔纳姆这样的新加坡老年人，除了扮演结交朋友等传统角色外，还利用他们数十年的专业经验来帮助他人。

变废为宝：义顺的一个社区花园给所有人带来欢乐

（从左至右）退休花艺师 Jasmine Tan、兼职清洁工 Christina Koh、退休会计 Irene Oh、退休餐饮服务商 Clifford Leung 以及家庭主妇 Eileen Ang 于 9 月 4 日在义顺 22 街义顺东第 260 座圣路加乐龄关怀中心（Care）合影。照片由《海峡时报》摄影师 GIN TAY 拍摄。

（从左至右）退休花艺师 Jasmine Tan；兼职清洁工 Christina Koh；退休会计师 Irene Oh；退休餐饮服务商 Clifford Leung；以及家庭主妇 Eileen Ang，于 9 月 4 日在义顺 22 街义顺东 260 座圣路加乐龄活力中心 (Care) 合影。

缤纷的色彩和奇思妙想将义顺组屋区间的一小块空间变成了迪士尼主题的仙境。

米奇和米妮玩偶与小熊维尼一起围着一个粉彩色的多层生日蛋糕野餐。沿着蜿蜒的小路，白色的鹅卵石勾勒出米老鼠的轮廓，小路旁有彩虹拱门、一排玩具车、波点蘑菇和一个养着游来游去的孔雀鱼和金鱼的小池塘。

在 60 英尺长的袖珍花园附近，有一段 26 英尺长的绿地，新加坡的标志性建筑，如鱼尾狮、新加坡摩天观景轮、樟宜机场和滨海艺术中心，都是用回收材料手工制作的。

位于义顺 22 街的社区花园，值得那些驻足停留的人细细品味。

没有经验？没问题：老年人如何开始做志愿者

新加坡志愿服务团（RSVP Singapore）志愿者桑塔纳姆·斯里尼瓦桑（左）向梁永顺（中）和谢拉·林演示如何操作无人机。（海峡时报摄影：金泰）

RSVP 新加坡志愿者 Santhanam Srinivasan（左）向 Leong Wing Sun（中）和 Sheila Lim 展示如何操作无人机。

随着新加坡步入超老龄化社会，老年人志愿服务为重新定义老龄化提供了一种强有力的途径。它使老年人能够继续积极参与社会活动，加强社会联系，并为更广泛的社区做出贡献。

新加坡老年人志愿服务协会（RSVP Singapore）执行董事梁爱娜表示，积极参与志愿服务不仅对个人有益，还能建设一个更具凝聚力的社会。RSVP Singapore是一个鼓励老年人参与志愿服务的非营利组织。

对于渴望开始锻炼的老年人，这里有五个建议。

照料花园和老人

（从左至右）退休花艺师陈茉莉、兼职清洁工许嘉欣、退休会计师吴艾琳、退休餐饮服务商梁克福和家庭主妇洪爱玲于9月4日在圣路加乐龄关怀中心合影。（海峡时报摄影：金泰）

（从左至右）退休花艺师 Jasmine Tan、兼职清洁工 Christina Koh、退休会计师 Irene Oh、退休餐饮服务商 Clifford Leung 和家庭主妇 Eileen Ang 于 9 月 4 日在圣路加乐龄关怀中心合影。

我总是开玩笑说，我的职业生涯轨迹带我经历了一段从“出生到死亡”的旅程。

我早期的培训专业是妇产科，但现在我的工作重心已经转移到了年龄谱的另一端，我担任了圣卢克老年护理中心的首席执行官。

这是一段有趣的经历，它让我对生活有了更广阔、更深刻的感悟。

我也是一名有抱负的园丁。我常常被园艺成功的励志故事所激励，最终在烈日下挥汗如雨，努力让我的花园茁壮成长。