Lawrence Tai proves that retirement isn’t a requirement, embarking on a new business venture fueled by passion and purpose.
SINGAPORE: Lawrence Tai, a 75-year-old entrepreneur, starts his day at 3:45 AM with a routine that includes stretching, preparing breakfast, and working an 11-hour shift delivering liquid soap across Singapore. After four decades in this business, he has no plans to slow down. In fact, he’s gearing up for his next venture: selling wild-caught crabs from Batam.
“I’m just getting started,” Tai declares, embodying a mindset that defies traditional views of retirement.
A LIFE OF ADAPTATION AND GROWTH
Tai’s journey is marked by resilience and adaptability. Starting at 16 as a shipyard worker earning $3 a day, he transitioned through roles as a welder, salesman, and eventually a business owner. His career choices were driven by a need for financial stability and a desire to learn.
“Every job gave me skills—welding, communications, marketing—that prepared me for the next step,” Tai recalls.
Now, he’s channeling that experience into a passion project. With a business partner, Tai plans to fatten crabs in Batam before selling them in Singapore. The venture is supported by years of preparation, including securing accommodations, transportation, and a network of potential clients.
DEFYING RETIREMENT NORMS
While many aim for early retirement under the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement, Tai believes in staying active.
“At my age, you have to keep moving,” he explains. His physically demanding work doubles as exercise, and he thrives on the mental engagement of interacting with clients and managing logistics.
For Tai, the idea of retirement as a period of relaxation and freedom is unappealing. “Retirement depression is real,” he warns, citing friends who succumbed to inactivity and its physical and emotional toll.
CHALLENGING SOCIETAL MINDSETS
Tai rejects the notion that seniors should stop working because of their age. “The only thing that matters is if you’re healthy and happy, and that’s got nothing to do with your age,” he asserts.
Studies have shown that retirees often face declines in social, physical, and financial resilience. Tai emphasizes the importance of setting goals, staying active, and maintaining social connections, whether through work or community activities.
A PERSONAL DECISION
Tai’s son, Leon, supports his father’s choice to keep working, recognizing that the decision to retire—or not—should be left to the individual.
“Seniors need to choose their own paths,” Tai says. For him, retirement would feel like giving up. His crab business is more than a job; it’s a way to stay engaged, fulfill his passions, and prove that age is just a number.
A MESSAGE TO ALL
Tai’s advice to retirees or those approaching retirement? “Don’t be lazy. Once you have nothing to do, you become sibei sian—and that’ll be the end.”
For Tai, life’s next chapter is about staying active, chasing dreams, and proving that success doesn’t come with an expiry date.
