About the Retirement and Health Pilot Study   The Retirement and Health Pilot Study (RHS Pilot) is a nationally representative study designed to understand the retirement and health needs of ageing Singaporeans. We will examine important factors that impact retirement, such as employment, retirement planning, physical and mental health, personal finances, family structure, etc.   Information collected from the survey will enable us to improve our retirement and health related policies and services.   The RHS Pilot is conducted jointly by the following agencies: Central Provident Fund Board (CPF Board) Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Ministry of Finance (MOF) Ministry of Health (MOH) Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why is there a need for the RHS Pilot study? 2. How are the respondents selected? 3. Why are you important? 4. Is participation compulsory? 5. Will my identity be revealed if I participate? 6. What questions will be asked? 7. How long is the interview and how will it be conducted? 8. Who is conducting the interviews? 9. Who can I contact if I wish to enquire about the study?

1. Why is there a need for the RHS Pilot study?

The RHS pilot is important because there is not enough data available on the retirement needs and overall adequacy levels of Singaporeans in retirement.

With the completion of the pilot study, we will evaluate the feasibility of conducting a full-fledged RHS. This will be a nation-wide longitudinal study modelled after international studies conducted in USA, Europe, China and many other countries. The RHS pilot is therefore an important step towards understanding ageing and its impact on Singapore.

2. How are the respondents selected?

The respondents for RHS Pilot are randomly selected from Singapore citizens and permanent residents who are 45 years and older.

If you are selected for the study, you will receive an invitation letter from us between January and April 2012.

3. Why are you important?

Your response is important to us, as your contributions will ensure that the survey results accurately reflect the views of Singaporeans towards retirement and health related issues. This will help us design and provide better retirement and healthcare policies and services which are tailored to Singaporean’s needs.

4. Is participation compulsory?

Participation in the survey is voluntary. However, we do hope that you can participate in the survey to help us improve our policies and services for Singaporeans.

5. Will my identity be revealed if I participate?

No. Please be assured that participant information will be kept confidential at all times. We have stringent security measures to protect the confidentiality of people who participate. Access to the survey data will be restricted to authorized staff only.

All results will only be reported on a collective basis (i.e summed or averaged responses). You can be assured that no respondent will be identifiable.

6. What questions will be asked?

The questionnaire for RHS Pilot contains 6 sections:

A.   Characteristics & Wellbeing

This section covers questions related to your demographics (e.g your age, marital status), family structure (e.g number of children you have), daily activities and living habits.

B.   Employment, Income & Retirement

This section covers questions related to you and your spouse’s past and present employment, work income and your attitude towards retirement.

C.   Expenditure

This section covers questions related to your healthcare expenditure, insurance coverage and household expenditure.

D.   Assets & Non-Work Related Income

This section covers questions related to you and your spouse’s assets, debts, investments and the income derived from them.

E.   Social Connectedness & Lifestyle

This section covers questions related to your social activities, volunteer work and hobbies.

7. How long is the interview and how will it be conducted?

The interview is expected to last about 90 minutes and will be conducted at your house by an authorized interviewer.

8. Who is conducting the interviews?

We have engaged InResearch Pte Ltd to conduct the face-to-face interviews. The interviewers will be visiting you between February 2012 and early May 2012.

You can identify them by their photo-id issued by InResearch Pte Ltd. They will also show you an authorization letter from CPF Board.

9. Who can I contact if I wish to enquire about the study?

If you have any questions or wish to know more about the RHS Pilot, please feel free to contact Mr Vincent Ong from InResearch Pte Ltd at: Tel : 6285 6618 Mon-Fri from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Email : rhssurvey@inresearch.com.sg   Alternatively, you may provide feedback on the survey to CPF Board at: Tel : 6229 3290 Mon-Fri from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Email : rhs@cpf.gov.sg