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While many of us dream about the day we finally get to give up work and reap the benefits of our blood, sweat and tears, we often struggle to plan for it.<\/p>\n
After all, in the scuffle of immediate priorities, saving and planning for retirement don\u2019t always make it to the top of the pile.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s a good chance you could be spending almost as long in retirement as you will be working. So, if you really want to end up with the retirement you envision, there are some things you can start doing right now.<\/p>\n
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Determining how much annual income you\u2019ll need to maintain your lifestyle in retirement is key and will depend on the type of lifestyle you want in retirement. For example, the types of holidays and frequency, where you\u2019d like to live and your recreational activities.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve estimated what your annual retirement income might be, you can start thinking about where you\u2019ll be able to access it from such as your super, part-time work, or social security entitlements. You\u2019ll also be able to determine your total amount of savings needed to meet your desired lifestyle.<\/strong> A comfortable retirement<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re after a comfortable retirement lifestyle which includes a good standard of living and recreational activities such as some overseas travel,\u00a0<\/em>The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA)\u00a0recommends that couples would need an annual income of around $61,909, while for singles this would be approximately $43,687. \u00a0<\/p>\n Based on you owning your own home, having investment earnings of 6% per year and receiving a partial Age Pension, they estimate that the additional lump sum savings you\u2019d need at retirement to supplement your income and achieve this amount of annual retirement income would be around $640,000 for a couple, while singles would need around $545,000.1<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A modest retirement<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n If a simple retirement lifestyle\u00ad\u2014that\u2019s slightly better than being on the Age Pension\u2014is more on the cards, ASFA estimate you would need a much smaller lump sum at retirement. However, the amount you\u2019ll need depends on your investment returns and the amount of Age Pension that you\u2019re entitled to.<\/p>\n Based on your circumstances, you\u2019ll need to determine what Age Pension or other social security benefits you might be entitled to in the future and ensure that your other sources or retirement income will be adequate to fund your desired lifestyle.<\/p>\n Rising cost of living<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Keep in mind that while you\u2019re likely to have fewer expenses in retirement\u2014you won\u2019t be contributing to your super, you might pay less tax and may have paid off your mortgage\u2014inflation can eat away at your retirement savings.<\/p>\n For instance, if you choose to invest conservatively by having your portfolio solely focused on defensive assets like cash and bonds, your returns may not be enough to offset the rising cost of living. \n\t\t While no one can predict how long they\u2019ll live, if we use the average life expectancy of 84.9 for males and 87.6 for females2<\/span>, you can estimate spending around 20 years in retirement assuming you retire around 65. \n\t\t And this will come down to a variety of factors including:<\/p>\n Whether you own your home<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Value of your super and other investments<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Return you earn on those investments and income from other sources<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Your spending habits.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n To understand where you currently stand, you need to add up any savings\/assets you hold inside and outside of super minus your debts. Then factor in your future earnings and what you can save from those earnings. There are\u00a0retirement calculators<\/a>\u00a0available to help with this.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t Make additional super contributions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n You can add more into your super on a regular basis using your before or after-tax income. Contribution caps are limit to the amount you\u2019re able to contribute each year without paying additional tax.<\/p>\n If you make a\u00a0personal contribution<\/a>, you may be eligible to claim a tax deduction too. This means you\u2019ll reduce your taxable income for the financial year and potentially pay less tax, while adding to your super balance. It\u2019s a win-win!<\/p>\n If you\u2019re flexible with your retirement date, one alternative is to consider delaying your retirement by continuing to work, or working part-time instead of retiring completely. Holding off your retirement, even for a few years, could significantly increase your retirement nest egg.\u00a0And transitioning to by working part-time can help you prepare \u2013 financially, socially and emotionally – for what is a major change in your life.\u00a0 Even if you\u2019re continuing to work part-time, you might still be eligible to receive a social security payment or benefit \u2013 such as a partial Age Pension to help supplement your reduced income. Reduce your debt<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Having no debt, or very manageable debt, will reduce your money worries in retirement. You may want to consider a plan to proactively clear your debt by reducing the amount you owe, thereby strengthening your financial position when you retire. However, it doesn\u2019t always have to be all or nothing in terms of diverting your available funds to reducing debt\u00a0or<\/em>\u00a0contributing to super for your retirement.<\/p>\n Speaking to a financial adviser can help determine the best way forward, to manage your debt leading into retirement, while also making sure your retirement goals are on track. \n\t\t Advisers can also guide you in deciding which investment options may help maximise your retirement income. Most importantly, they can help you plan for a retirement that suits\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 whatever that looks like.\u00a0<\/p>\n Please contact us on |PHONE| if you seek further assistance on this topic.<\/p>\n 1\u00a0ASFA Retirement Standard \u2013 June 2020\u00a0https:\/\/www.superannuation.asn.au\/resources\/retirement-standard<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/p>\n2.\u00a0 Determine how long it will need to last<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Once you have an idea of what your retirement lifestyle will cost, the challenge is to ensure your cash lasts the distance\u2014however long that may be.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n3.\u00a0 Are you on track to reach the lifestyle you want?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
The next step is to evaluate how much you\u2019re likely to have by the time you retire, if you continue with your current savings strategy.<\/p>\n\n
4.\u00a0 Not on track?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
If you find that you may fall short in achieving your desired lifestyle on your projected savings, don\u2019t panic. There are things you can do to turn your situation around.
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Delay retiring or work part-time<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/p>\n5.\u00a0 Seek professional support<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Obtaining independent advice from a\u00a0financial adviser\u00a0can help you design a financial plan to achieve your retirement lifestyle goals\u2014whatever they are.<\/p>\n
2\u00a0SuperGuide:\u00a0How long you can expect to live and what it means for your super<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 January 2020\u00a0https:\/\/www.superguide.com.au\/retirement-planning\/life-expectancy<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n