S2E9: Too young to retire, too old to hire?

We often focus on fresh grads and first jobs—but what happens when you’re 50 and suddenly find yourself out of work? 

In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro breaks down the challenges facing older workers with the help of experts: career coaches, employers and policymakers.

From fear and shame to resilience and reinvention, they unpack the emotional toll, the opportunities for growth, and why adaptability—not age—is the real secret to staying relevant.

Highlights of the conversation: 

01:39 Facing retrenchment

04:33 What employers are looking for

09:25 Workforce Singapore career transition programmes

12:47 Working for a younger boss

16:21 Reinvention is hard

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Now, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg. We’ll look into it for future episodes.

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Hosted by Claressa Monteiro, edited and produced by Claressa Monteiro and Emily Liu

With Gloria Arlini, CEO, Generation Singapore; Masni Goh, career transitions coach, founder of Mind Coach SG; and Kenneth Wong, director of trade & lifestyle division, Workforce Singapore

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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