The Atlas — Our Courses
Three courses, each with its own territory
Structured financial education for Singaporeans 40 and older. Each course is self-contained, paced for careful study, and built around Singapore's regulatory framework.
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How Pulau Learning courses work
Each Pulau Learning course follows the same basic structure: a week-by-week schedule of readings, worksheet tasks, and instructor-moderated sessions. The pace is set so that a participant with a regular working schedule can complete each week's material without strain. There is no expectation of speed — the courses are designed to give learners time to think, to ask questions, and to apply what they read to their own financial situation as they go.
The materials for each course are developed with Singapore's specific regulatory context in mind. CPF references are drawn from CPF Board guidance. SGX and MAS frameworks are used throughout the equity course. Tax and SRS rules in the retirement drawdown course reflect the current IRAS position. When rules change, course materials are updated before the next cohort begins.
Readings
Clear, jargon-light materials written specifically for this audience
Worksheets
Guided completion tasks tied directly to the learner's own accounts
Sessions
Small group or individual sessions with instructors who know the subject
Course 01 · 6 weeks · S$220
Financial Atlas — A Personal Review
A six-week course for learners in their forties and older who wish to build a personal "atlas" of their finances — a clearly organised set of documents and summaries covering CPF accounts, SRS, HDB mortgage, investment accounts, and insurance. The course emphasises clarity, documentation, and record-keeping over complex strategy. Each participant finishes with a structured folder of their own financial information, useful for later review and for coordination with family members.
- CPF Ordinary Account, Special Account, and MediSave review
- SRS account structure and withdrawal rules
- HDB mortgage status and insurance overview
- Investment account inventory and basic record
- Structured documentation folder on completion
Course steps
Account inventory — identifying and listing all accounts held
CPF deep-read — understanding each account's current position
SRS and insurance review — reading policy summaries clearly
HDB and property — documenting mortgage and related details
Investment accounts — a systematic record of holdings
Final assembly — completing and organising the documentation folder
Course 02 · 9 weeks · S$495
Equity Markets — A Patient Introduction
A nine-week course on equity investing paced for those returning to study after many years. Covers basic valuation, dividend policy, SGX-listed instruments, exchange-traded funds, and the behavioural aspects of market participation for middle-aged learners. The curriculum includes weekly readings, a guided workbook, and a small discussion group moderated by the instructor. The course is designed to build steady understanding rather than rapid competence.
- How equity markets function and how prices are set
- Basic valuation methods — P/E, book value, dividend yield
- SGX-listed instruments including REITs and ETFs
- Behavioural tendencies relevant to middle-aged investors
- Guided workbook completed over nine weeks
- Moderated small group discussion included
Course steps
How public equity markets work — the basics without shortcuts
Reading company accounts and understanding valuation
SGX instruments, ETFs, and dividend-focused investing
Behavioural dimensions — how psychology affects decisions
Workbook review and discussion group final session
Course 03 · 7 weeks · S$355
Coordinated Retirement Drawdown
A seven-week course addressing the practical steps of drawing income from multiple retirement sources — CPF LIFE, SRS, private investments, and, where relevant, annuities and rental income. Covers sequencing, tax-aware withdrawals, and the coordination of household spending with income availability. Includes a personal drawdown worksheet and a final review session with a retirement specialist. Paced for learners within five years of retirement who value careful preparation.
- CPF LIFE payout options and timing decisions
- SRS withdrawal sequencing and tax considerations
- Coordinating multiple income streams by household
- Annuity and rental income integration where applicable
- Personal drawdown worksheet completed during the course
- Final session with a retirement specialist
Course steps
Mapping your retirement income sources and their rules
CPF LIFE options, timings, and their implications
SRS withdrawal strategy and IRAS tax treatment
Private investments and supplementary income coordination
Drawdown worksheet — personal scenario completion
Final review with retirement specialist
Course comparison
Which course is right for you?
| Feature | Financial Atlas | Equity Markets | Drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6 weeks | 9 weeks | 7 weeks |
| Fee (SGD) | S$220 | S$495 | S$355 |
| No prior knowledge needed | |||
| Guided workbook | |||
| Personal documentation folder | |||
| Discussion group sessions | |||
| Specialist one-to-one session |
Best starting point
Financial Atlas — most learners benefit from completing this course first, as it establishes a clear record of what you already hold.
Most in-depth
Equity Markets — the longest course, and the one most suited to learners who want to understand public equity investing properly.
Closest to retirement
Retirement Drawdown — suited to those within five years of leaving employment, where coordinating income sources is most relevant.
Shared standards
What applies to all three courses
No financial product promotion
Instructors do not recommend products, funds, or providers. Course content is independent of any financial institution.
Participant data handled carefully
Information shared during worksheets or sessions is used only for course purposes. We do not share participant details with third parties.
Annual content review
All materials are reviewed before each new cohort and updated to reflect changes in CPF, SRS, MAS, and IRAS rules.
Small cohort sizes maintained
Cohort sizes are kept small as a matter of policy. This has not changed since the first course ran in 2019.
Written instructor access
Participants can write questions directly to instructors at any point in the course. Responses within two working days.
Plain English throughout
Technical terms are introduced only when necessary and are explained plainly the first time they appear. No assumed background knowledge.
Not sure which course to begin with?
Write to us and describe your situation briefly. We will suggest the course that fits best — without any obligation to enrol.
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