I am a 52 male, single, recently retrenched (a much-welcome move - hate the job, and was compensated)> My net worth is currently at 1.49M (liabilities are daily necessities) - can I afford to retire?

With $1.5 millions, and single, he can live very comfortably even with a modest car and have yearly economical overseas vacation, provided there is no indulgent in opulent life style, no risky investment, gambling etc.

Hi Maxwell,
Elijah has provided a comprehensive answer, and I just have some points of consideration to add on:
Any dependents?
What do you exactly mean by "retiring"?
Not having to work again?
Or being able to choose what you want to do?
If you have dependents, you have to factor in as well.
To summarize, whether or not you can "retire" depends on:
1) choice of lifestyle
2) assets and liabilities
3) how do u picture yourself spending your retirement years

At least it sounds like you have one less thing to worry about, so congrats and wish you a fruitful journey ahead!

If your net worth does not include CPF saving. You should be fine.

Mr Maxwell Smart, let's get you to do a fullyear of lifestyle adjustment and reorientation to gauge your exact monthly retired expenditure 1st. I guess you don't have much liabilities left thus the full amount can go into disciplined savings and partial investments.
Never be rushed or too early to jump into anything yet. Always take yourself out of the picture and ask the 4w's. You'd be clearer then anyone else after awhile.