SINGAPORE, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- As one of the fastest aging populations in Asia, Singapore faces the challenge of developing policies to resolve this significant social issue.

The government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) actively cooperate to give support to aging people. As one of the outstanding NGO models, the Singapore Action Group of Elders (SAGE) aims to give supporting programs and services to help senior citizens live the happy and healthy autumn years.

Singapore ranks second in Asian aging countries after Japan. And it also hits the Top 10 around the world. According to Singapore's Population in Brief 2010, the proportion of residents aged 65 and above increased from 7.0 percent of resident population in 1999 to 8.8 percent in 2009.

CEO of SAGE, Mr. Phua Kok Tee who is more than 70, said in an interview: "Sixty-two is the statutory age of retirement in Singapore (male and female are equal), and now the average life expectancy is up to 75 and above. So it's very important for senior citizens to think about how to live their long latter half of lives."

He said that the main task of SAGE is to coordinate with the governmental policies to provide the necessary programs and services for the local elders to live a better life.

Singapore practices the Central Provident Fund (CPF) system. The residents do not have special age pension after their retirement. Hence Mr. Phua thinks that it will benefit both the society and the senior citizens themselves if the aging people continue to work.