For years, I’ve been attempting to know why 1 in 3 folks select to accept a ridiculously low return of fifty cents for each $1,000 in money that they go away idle of their Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) account.
The quantity has since dropped to 1 in 5, however that’s nonetheless a good portion of SRS account holders who’re willingly letting their funds lose buying worth over time to inflation.

Many individuals are fast to high up their SRS account in a bid to keep away from paying a better tax invoice, so I’ve at all times questioned, why do they not put that degree of urgency in direction of investing it?
Regardless of me repeatedly saying for years that leaving cash in your SRS account is foolish as a result of it earns you solely a meagre 0.05% p.a. of curiosity annually (a degree that has not modified for the final decade and can probably not change within the close to foreseeable future both), it befuddled me as to folks have been content material to depart their funds idle anyway.
Till now.
I lastly discovered that the issue may not be as a result of a ignorance (by now, at the very least), however the truth that whereas it takes only some seconds to switch funds into your SRS account, it takes much more effort and time to go and make investments it.
What’s extra, for many individuals, it might not even be price their time to take action, particularly if their SRS funds are barely a considerable portion of their complete portfolio. In my case, my SRS funds represent lower than 5% of my total funding portfolio, which makes the effort and time required to handle particular person inventory picks not as price it.
So…what if you happen to don’t need to accept a paltry 0.05% p.a. annually, and need to make investments that in probably the most fuss-free method whereas paying as little charges as attainable?
Nicely, in that case, robo-advisor Syfe’s SRS portfolios may simply be your reply.

Syfe SRS Portfolios
Not many platforms enable traders to seamlessly handle all their investments in a single place. Syfe’s prospects, nevertheless, can make investments their money in cash market funds, shares purchased via Syfe brokerage, and now your SRS investments too.
With 3 completely different SRS portfolios you could select from to speculate your SRS monies in, you possibly can resolve which inserts your threat urge for food and private funding goals finest. Whether or not you’re a conservative investor who prefers an income-generating method targeted on dividends, or a progress investor who seeks diversified publicity to over 5,000 shares globally, there’s a portfolio for you.

Robo-advisors like Syfe make it simpler for on a regular basis people to begin investing, providing varied diversified portfolios which can be managed for you at a low value.
When you’re younger with an extended time horizon forward of you, it’s possible you’ll want Syfe’s Core Equity100 portfolio, which is designed utilizing low-cost index funds and optimised with confirmed elements like worth, measurement, and high quality for superior long-term returns. That is being powered by Amundi and Dimensional, and you may see the breakdown of the funds on this portfolio under:

However, if you’re a fan of earnings investing, then you possibly can discover the Syfe Earnings+ portfolio, which goals to generate reliable and regular dividends along with total capital appreciation. These are supplied in partnership with PIMCO, and what’s extra, Syfe’s unique entry unlocks as much as 60% financial savings on fund degree charges for retail traders vs. if you happen to have been to speculate straight your self.
The constituent funds are comprised of the next:
SYFE INCOME+ PRESERVE | SYFE INCOME+ ENHANCE |
PIMCO GIS GLOBAL INVESTMENT GRADE CREDIT FUND | PIMCO GIS GLOBAL INVESTMENT GRADE CREDIT FUND |
PIMCO GIS GLOBAL BOND FUND | PIMCO GIS ASIA STRATEGIC BOND FUND |
PIMCO GIS ASIA STRATEGIC BOND FUND | PIMCO GIS INCOME FUND |
PIMCO GIS INCOME FUND | PIMCO GIS ASIA HIGH YIELD BOND FUND |
PIMCO GIS ASIA HIGH YIELD BOND FUND | PIMCO GIS DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUND |
– | PIMCO GIS CAPITAL SECURITIES |
When you would quite not take an excessive amount of threat together with your SRS funds meant for retirement, then Syfe additionally has the Money+ Flexi (SGD) portfolio, which invests in cash market funds, yielding 3.5% p.a. projected returns for now. This contains 2 funds, each managed by LionGlobal.

How you can handle your SRS portfolio vs. money investments
Whereas topping up one’s SRS account is a good way to cut back your earnings tax invoice (particularly if you happen to’re within the larger tax bracket), it is best to do not forget that 50% of the quantity you withdraw out of your SRS account shall be taxable. In distinction, any capital positive aspects or dividends you make in your money investments are not taxed.
Thus, some traders select to undertake the under technique as a substitute:
- Money investments for higher-risk, high-return equities
- SRS investments for lower-risk, extra steady investments
When you don’t want to stress over learn how to withdraw to pay minimal taxes after you hit the statutory age of 62, then the above technique can will let you reap the benefits of the upper, non-taxable returns in your money investments, whereas reserving your SRS portfolio for regular and steady investments as a substitute.
In any case, since 50% of your SRS withdrawals are taxable, you’d in all probability need to just remember to don’t find yourself negating the preliminary tax financial savings you loved in your youthful years.
When you’re responsible of not having invested your SRS monies since you frightened that you just wouldn’t be capable to handle the portfolio, then robo-advisors like Syfe supply a handy technique to handle your investments for you.
By placing collectively portfolios supplied by world-class fund managers reminiscent of Amundi, Dimensional and PIMCO, Syfe has simplified SRS investing and decreased the effort and time wanted for SRS account holders to begin investing.
Now, there’s no extra excuse so that you can accept simply 0.05% p.a. in your SRS funds.
Disclosure: This text is written in collaboration with Syfe. All opinions are that of my very own.
Sponsored Message by Syfe:
Syfe has now launched SRS portfolios! We all know that ready over 30 years on your SRS to mature can really feel like eternity, so from now until 31 December, Syfe is working a promotion of $50 money again on each $25,000 invested in Core Equity100 or Earnings+ SRS portfolios.
Promo code: SRSBB.
This promotion is accessible to each new and current Syfe shoppers. Phrases and situations apply.
Disclaimer: Not monetary recommendation. Any type of funding carries dangers, and not one of the shares talked about on this article serves as a advice to purchase (or promote). Your particular person returns might fluctuate relying by yourself talent as an investor. All the time do your personal analysis earlier than investing.This commercial has not been reviewed by the Financial Authority of Singapore.