Retirement Planning: The Earlier the Better — Even at Eight

When should you start thinking about retirement?

Wen Wei Po’s “Uncle MPF” column: his eight-year-old nephew debates spending red-packet money on trains or robots — Uncle suggests making the money grow too, because retirement planning rewards the early and compounding needs time. Ignore it young, regret it old.

What’s step one for the young?

No fortune needed — a few hundred a month in voluntary contributions works; starting and sticking with it matters. First learn each fund type’s risk-return profile, pick your aggression level, and let time help.