The investment market is UNPREDICTABLE.
BUT YOUR INCOME DOESN'T HAVE TO BE.
Discover how the Kueh Lapis Concept layers your retirement income for security, growth and a peace of mind.
Why This Works
Structured
Like the neat layers of kueh lapis, your plan is built step by step, with every layer serving a clear purpose.
Diversified
Each layer is different, just like how your wealth is spread across multiple assets to reduce risk.
Resilient
Even if one layer is thin or shaky, the whole kueh lapis still holds together—your financial plan stays strong through ups and downs.
Adaptable
Just as kueh lapis can be made with different flavours, your plan can be adjusted to suit changing goals, needs, and market conditions.
What is Kueh Lapis Retirement™?
Guaranteed Layer
This is the foundation of your financial plan, just like the base layer of a kueh lapis. It provides stability and certainty, ensuring that a portion of your wealth is secure no matter what happens in the markets. This layer typically includes guaranteed returns, capital protection, or essential coverage, giving you peace of mind and a safety net for your financial goals. Without a strong guaranteed layer, the rest of your plan could be exposed to unnecessary risk.
Variable Layer
Sitting above the guaranteed layer, the variable layer introduces growth potential. Unlike the guaranteed layer, this portion of your wealth can fluctuate depending on market performance, investments, or other growth opportunities. Its purpose is to help your wealth increase over time, allowing you to take advantage of favorable conditions while still managing risk. The variable layer brings balance between security and growth, making your financial plan more dynamic and adaptable.
Bonus Layer
The top layer is the bonus—this is the “sweet reward” that enhances your overall financial outcomes. It represents additional returns, unexpected gains, or incentives that can come from investments, loyalty programs, or market opportunities. While it’s not guaranteed, it adds upside potential and allows you to enjoy the benefits of your planning. The bonus layer is what turns a solid plan into an exceptional one, giving you flexibility, freedom, and the ability to aim higher.
The Origins of Kueh Lapis Retirement™
The Kueh Lapis Retirement™ Framework is more than a concept — it’s a time-tested strategy crafted by Ivan through years of real-world advisory work, designed to help retirees enjoy stable, lasting income with confidence.
The Kueh Lapis Retirement™ Framework was born from my own journey to design a retirement plan that’s both resilient and rewarding — not just for my clients, but for myself. Like the traditional kueh lapis, each layer represents a deliberate stage of income — guaranteed, variable, and bonus — carefully built to create a stable yet flexible retirement structure. I first introduced this original concept in my book Fire Your Retirement, and it has since become the foundation of how I help clients achieve financial independence with confidence and clarity.
IVAN GUAN
- author -
Build Your Own “Kueh Lapis” Retirement Plan with Me
Everyone’s retirement looks different — but the principles behind the Kueh Lapis Retirement™ Framework apply to all. Whether you’re nearing retirement or just starting to plan, I can help you structure your income layers — guaranteed, variable, and bonus — so you can retire with clarity and confidence.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Let’s design a retirement income plan that’s uniquely yours.