Retiree, 65, remarried with young child, allowed to halve maintenance for ex-wife to RM2,050 a month

Family lawyers say that men can apply to stop giving spousal maintenance or reduce the sums given if there are material changes in circumstances since the maintenance order was made. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCKPHOTO via The Straits Times/ANN

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A 65-year-old retiree, who wed a woman 27 years his junior after his divorce in 2012, was recently allowed to reduce the amount of spousal maintenance he gives to his 69-year-old ex-wife by half to S$600 (RM2,050) a month.

High Court Judge Choo Han Teck ruled that the man’s retirement in July 2023 was a material change in circumstances that justified the reduction in the financial support given. Justice Choo added that given the man’s age, he is “entitled to retire as he wishes”.