At 31, the former civil servant challenges societal norms by retiring early to focus on life beyond work.
With an e-reader in hand, Ashish Xiangyi Kumar steps into a cafe at Woodlands MRT station on a Friday morning, a stark contrast to the bustling commuters outside rushing to work. Just weeks ago, Ashish would have been among them, navigating the morning crowd on his way to the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) in Clarke Quay, where he held the role of Senior Manager in the Digital Strategy Office.
That routine ended on February 13, 2024, when Ashish retired—at the age of 31.
“I retired because life is brutally short, and I can’t justify spending it doing something other than what I love,” he says. Ashish’s decision was born of a deep indifference toward climbing the career ladder and a growing unease with the time consumed by traditional work.
An Unlikely Retiree
Ashish’s journey stands as an unconventional story in Singapore’s meritocratic society. A top scorer at Dazhong Primary School with a PSLE score of 278, he went on to Raffles Institution and received an Overseas Merit Scholarship to study law at the University of Cambridge, graduating second in his class. Upon returning, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), fulfilling his scholarship bond.
Despite a promising career, including roles that many would envy, Ashish began planning his retirement just six months into his first job. “My work was meaningful, but I hated that something outside myself dictated how I spent my life,” he explains.
Life After Work
Today, Ashish enjoys pursuits often associated with traditional retirees: reading, writing, hiking, and badminton. He also runs a YouTube channel focused on classical music. Living with his parents, he keeps his expenses minimal, spending around $1,000 monthly. He avoids speculative investments, sticking to long-term index funds like the S&P 500.
While many Singaporeans grapple with rising living costs and extended retirement ages, Ashish acknowledges his privilege. “I was lucky to work in the world’s best-paying civil service, and I’ve never had financial liabilities,” he admits.
Challenging the Notion of Work
Ashish questions the naturalness of employment as we know it. “Work, as a condition of being commanded by a superior under threat of financial punishment, doesn’t feel like an inherent human state,” he muses.
His perspective may be unconventional in a society where work often defines identity and purpose. “We shouldn’t tie our entire sense of self to work. There’s more to life than this,” he asserts.
A Broader Lesson
While early retirement may remain unattainable for many, Ashish’s story challenges societal norms, inviting reflection on work-life balance and the meaning of fulfillment. “Countries and communities don’t own people. Only you own yourself. If you’re wondering about retiring, make the choice for you, not for others,” he advises.
As he exits the cafe into the glaring afternoon sun, workers stream in and out, their day far from over in one of Asia-Pacific’s most overworked nations. Ashish’s life may not align with the typical narrative, but his journey offers a radical reminder: life is too short to live it on someone else’s terms.
