The new investment scheme by CPF

What to consider before investing your CPF?

SGX vs Nasdaq

AI as a central theme of the Budget

Are $200-$400 handouts enough?

What do you want to see in Budget 2027?

This year's Budget spotlights more ways to invest your CPF and how to deal with AI.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.

Another year and another Budget speech, with goodies given out by PM Lawrence Wong. 

But is the Budget just about CDC vouchers and subsidies? What exactly is in it for young people?

In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at what matters for young people in Singapore's Budget 2026. 

Her guests are DBS financial literacy expert Shawn Lee and OCBC executive director of wealth advisory Afdhal Rahman. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:00 How does the new investment scheme by CPF work?

4:58 What to consider before investing your CPF

11:00 SGX vs Nasdaq

14:30 AI as a central theme of the Budget  

21:36 Are handouts of $200 to $400 enough for cost of living issues?

25:40 What do you want to see next in Budget 2027? 

Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa

Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X

Host: Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg)

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow

Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3

Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.

---

#headstart

This year's Budget spotlights more ways to invest your CPF and how to deal with AI.
Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.
Another year and another Budget speech, with goodies given out by PM Lawrence Wong.&nbsp;
But is the Budget just about CDC vouchers and subsidies? What exactly is in it for young people?
In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at what matters for young people in Singapore's Budget 2026.&nbsp;
Her guests are DBS financial literacy expert Shawn Lee and OCBC executive director of wealth advisory Afdhal Rahman.&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:00 How does the new investment scheme by CPF work?
4:58 What to consider before investing your CPF
11:00 SGX vs Nasdaq
14:30 AI as a central theme of the Budget&nbsp;&nbsp;
21:36 Are handouts of $200 to $400 enough for cost of living issues?
25:40 What do you want to see next in Budget 2027?&nbsp;
Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles:<a href="https://str.sg/mvSa"> https://str.sg/mvSa</a>
Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn:<a href="https://str.sg/A86X"> https://str.sg/A86X</a>
Host: Sue-Ann Tan (<a href="mailto:suetan@sph.com.sg">suetan@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong &amp; Joanna Seow
Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wB2m"> https://str.sg/wB2m</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wuN3"> https://str.sg/wuN3</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/wBr9"> https://str.sg/wBr9</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter:<a href="http://str.sg/headstart-nl"> https://str.sg/headstart-nl</a>
SPH Awedio app:<a href="https://www.awedio.sg"> https://www.awedio.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7"> https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa"> </a><a href="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast">https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.
---
#headstart

Get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.

Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.
Podcasters: Sue-Ann Tan
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong &amp; Joanna Seow
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.