How Much a DINK Couple Needs to FIRE in Singapore

For DINK (dual income, no kids) couples in Singapore, FIRE is rarely about hitting a single “magic” number. In practice, it is about matching portfolio size to a realistic spending level, with CPF playing a central role. Thinking in tiers of annual spending makes the goal far easier to reason about than chasing whatever figure last appeared on social media.

Start with spending, not a target sum

Most FIRE frameworks still rely on the same backbone: estimate your annual spending in retirement and multiply it by around 25. This implies a long-term withdrawal rate of about 4%, though many Singapore-focused discussions now lean closer to 3–3.5% for added safety, especially for retirements that may last 40 years or more.

Local FIRE writers often suggest that a modest but comfortable lifestyle for a couple in Singapore falls somewhere between S$50,000–S$70,000 a year. Higher spending levels buy more flexibility, but also raise the portfolio size required.

For DINK households, the constraint is usually not income but the lifestyle you want after stepping away from full-time work. Case studies show wide variation: some couples are content on S$60,000–S$70,000 a year, while others plan for six-figure spending to support frequent travel, private healthcare, or family support. The right number is the one you can sustain for decades without feeling constantly constrained.

Lean DINK FIRE: S$48,000–S$60,000 a year

A lean DINK FIRE lifestyle in Singapore typically assumes a fully paid HDB flat, no car, mostly home-cooked meals and kopitiam dining, limited but intentional travel, and meaningful reliance on CPF LIFE from age 65 to cover essentials.

At S$48,000–S$60,000 of annual spending, the 25× rule points to a portfolio of roughly S$1.2–S$1.5 million in investable assets.

This aligns with several local estimates that place basic living plus low-cost leisure at around S$21,000–S$25,000 per person per year. The trade-off is lower lifestyle flexibility. Travel and discretionary spending need to be planned carefully, and spending may need to be adjusted during weaker market periods.

Moderate DINK FIRE: S$72,000–S$84,000 a year

The moderate tier is where many Singapore DINKs, particularly in their 30s and 40s, implicitly anchor their FIRE aspirations. Annual spending of S$72,000–S$84,000 often includes a fully paid or modestly mortgaged HDB, regular dining out, one or two overseas trips a year, and ride-hailing rather than car ownership.

A commonly cited ValueChampion scenario uses S$72,000 a year of spending and a S$1.8 million portfolio target, based on the classic 25× framework.

In practice, many moderate-tier DINKs plan for S$1.8–S$2.1 million and aim for a withdrawal rate closer to 3–3.5%, especially if CPF LIFE is expected to cover a meaningful portion of expenses after 65.

Comfortable DINK FIRE: S$100,000–S$120,000 a year

At the comfortable end, DINK couples often target S$100,000–S$120,000 in annual spending. This supports more frequent travel, higher discretionary spending, and larger buffers for healthcare, hobbies, or extended family support.

Using the same framework, this implies a portfolio of roughly S$2.5–S$3.0 million.

One well-known local example involves a DINK couple in their late 40s and 50s who reached FIRE with about S$3 million in financial assets, excluding their fully paid HDB. Their planned spending of S$60,000–S$70,000 a year translates to a withdrawal rate of around 2–2.5%, which is conservative by FIRE standards.

CPF as your retirement floor

One reason Singapore DINK FIRE numbers often look lower than US-centric figures is the role of CPF. Consistent CPF contributions can translate into meaningful CPF LIFE payouts from age 65, creating a guaranteed lifetime income floor for basic expenses.

A balanced approach is to decide what minimum income you want CPF to guarantee, then size your investment portfolio to fund the additional flexibility above that floor.

Why withdrawal rates matter more than a headline number

Two DINK couples with S$2 million portfolios can be in very different positions if one spends S$50,000 a year (2.5%) and the other spends S$80,000 (4%).

For DINKs in Singapore, “enough” is best understood as a range tied to spending tiers: roughly S$1.2–S$1.5 million for lean FIRE, S$1.8–S$2.1 million for a moderate lifestyle, and S$2.5–S$3.0 million or more for a comfortable version—always adjusted for CPF expectations and risk tolerance.

Once you agree on the life you want to protect and the buffer that lets you sleep at night, the maths stops being a source of anxiety and becomes a roadmap.