SPR Question from a newbie.

[wendigo7]

Hi Guys,

I'm new here in SG Expats and I just had to post this topic since I am unable to find the right answer to my query.

Me and my wife have been SPR's for 4 years now and my wife suddenly decided to stop working since she had enough and wanted to rest a while.

Now that I am the sole bread winner in the family and could barely make ends meet with my kids all going to school.My question is this. If my wife decides to revoke her SPR and opt to be a dependent instead is this possible? The reason for her to give up the SPR is so that we can use the CPF money to supplement for our daily needs.

I know it may seem that we are opportunistic but that is the only way for my wife to have a break and for our family to be able to live here in Singapore...

Thanks for any response in advance.

[sundaymorningstaple]

She cannot withdraw her CPF as long as she stays in Singapore. Giving up PR will only give her back her CPF if she is leaving the country permanently. If she did go back, and then tried to return on a dependent's pass, she will probably be denied unless she replaces all the CPF funds plus any interest that would have accrued had it be left there.

The government here is not a fool. They are getting pretty wise to all the opportunists and people trying to abuse the system. They will let you withdraw probably and then deny her a dependents pass and probably will not extend or give her a LTSVP either. But, please, don't take my word for it. By all means have her withdraw the funds. That will be one less opportunistic PR for us long-stayers to worry about.

[revhappy]

...

[x9200]

revhappy, they are in financial troubles because of the OP's wife decision. Now, either both or herself alone want to make another decision so she can rest a bit longer having some more money even if this means giving up her PR. If she got a good reason to quit her job (an not to look for another one) then this would not be an abuse but I do not see such reasons mentioned. Moreover, if your read between the lines it does not look like OP is extremely happy with what his wife has decided to do.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Anybody who is uprooting their entire family to another country should have already done a worst case scenario before committing to something so profound. Both parties have to realize the costs both financially and emotionally and both should have studied the landscape of Singapore and how it works BEFORE taking up PR. If they did not, I can only see it as they are planning on not being here too long OR they are very stupid. As they had the education apparently that ICA gave them PR to start will we can rule out stupid. That only leave abuse of the system. Wanting to draw out their CPF AND stay here to boot.

Sorry revhappy, but afraid I don't agree with you at all. Harsh? Yes, ask any longstayer who has been here over a decade. You will find that each and every one has the same feelings that I do. We have been through several recessions and some have also been through periods of possible hard times and unemployment (regrettably or voluntarily) and have sucked it up and come through the other side without crying about it. 'fraid I don't have much sympathy.

[desmondpo]

Frankly speaking,i agree with sunday .but back to the question, you'll be able to withdraw the cpf but you will also end up having to maintain a long distance relationship with your wife.