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Retirement in the Philippines: Going against the grain

how can i retire comfortably

I started to think about retirement at age 36.  I don't know why but it was then that I realized that despite my good prospects for promotion in the near future and my steady stream of income from the investments that we were making, I just knew then that I needed to start my journey to financial stability and security.  

My son and my youngest was less than a year old then.  I computed in my mind that when he reached college at 18 years old, I would be around 55 years old by then.  I was unsure what I'd be by then.  Would I still be healthy enough to work?  Would we have enough savings to make sure that he has money for a decent college to go to?  Would he be intelligent enough to make it to UP to enjoy free tuition?  It was unsettling.  I felt I had to do something.  And so I realized that I wasn't even talking about retirement.  I was just thinking about Sam's college really.  

So it was then that I made my big leap to get a VUL.  I did not know much about it then but I studied it and made sure I would at least have enough after 15 years to ensure Sam's tuition at the very least.  It was just a start up policy with P1M insurance and a small Balanced investment which I would have to pay for 10 years.  Then I would need to let my money grow till Sam would be about a year in college.  If by that time I would not be able to work anymore, at least I am sure that I will not need to help from my older kids for his tuition.  Hannah will have already graduated by then at age 25.  But I promised myself that I will do my best not to ask money or support from my kids.  

Fast forward to today, I just have 3 years more to go to pay off my first VUL.  Ryan got his VUL at age 35 also in 2016 and he will already pay it off by June 2021, only 4 months from now since he got a 5-year paying period. That would have a 10 year waiting period to mature so as early as 2031, Ryan can already earmark that for Hannah for her post grad if she wants to pursue Medicine.  

I got another VUL at age 39 in 2018 which will I will may off in 2028.  I am earmarking that for 2033 if Joanna wants to pursue law school so she would have the option to become a full time law student.  

I am now 43 and I feel that I am just on thr prime of my career. We already added several investments including a house and lot from Crown Asia and a condo in pasig to ensure that we have income after we decide retire at age 58. I dream of travelling the world, checking off my bucketlists and spending the rest of my days serving the Lord.

I praise God for the strength and the wisdom he gave us to allow us to plan ahead. He is truly our Jehavah Jireh, our God who provides.



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Location: Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines

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