THEY may be well-off and all set for retirement, but affluent Singaporeans still worry more about their future than other Asians, a survey has found.

Singaporeans have the lowest level of confidence and satisfaction with life among 2,400 people from eight countries, according to a study conducted by AXA Life.

This is despite the fact that Singaporeans are better insured than others in the region.

Six in 10 'mass affluent' Singaporeans, whose monthly personal incomes average $4,000, start to plan for retirement as early as 34, against the regional average of 39.

Yet they have the lowest score of 59.2 on AXA's Life Outlook Index, which is on a scale of 1 to 100, compared to the average score of 71.6 for the eight countries, which includes China, Indonesia, India and Malaysia.

The survey covered respondents' views about four aspects of their lives - career, retirement, family and health. Singaporeans generally scored the lowest in all categories.

Their negative outlook may have stemmed from the volatility in the stock market during August, when the survey was conducted, noted Ms Annette King, AXA Life Insurance Singapore's chief marketing and strategy officer, who released the survey results on Thursday.

Retirement planning was also a hot talking point in Singapore in August, following changes to the Central Providend Fund (CPF) announced by the Prime Minister in his National Day Rally speech. PM Lee Hsien Loong unveiled reforms to the CPF, including a compulsory longevity insurance, as part of the government's package to cater to Singaporeans' retirement needs.

This, together with uncertainty in the stock markets, may have affected Singaporeans' outlook about their retirement and careers, said Ms King.

'Singaporeans, like those in more developed markets, are now more aware of their financial retirement needs. Thus, they may be less confident about meeting their retirement goals,' she said.