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Cost of retirement continues to climb
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) retirement standard for the December quarter shows living costs for retirees have risen once again.
The ASFA retirement standard estimates that couples need to spend about $59,236 per year, while singles will need to spend $43,184.
Both categories increased from the previous quarter. The total budgets for older retirees increased by 0.5 per cent at both the comfortable and modest levels.
While there was a modest rise, ASFA CEO Pauline Vamos said the cost of living had not increased substantially, which is positive for current retirees.
"However, many Australians are still retiring with an inadequate amount of superannuation. In order to achieve a comfortable standard of living in retirement, an individual requires a minimum of around $545,000 and a couple around $645,000,” said Ms Vamos.
According to ASFA, the most significant price rises in the December quarter contributing to the increase in the annual budgets were domestic holiday travel and accommodation up 5.9 per cent, and international holiday travel and accommodation up 2.4 per cent.
The most significant offsetting price falls were automotive fuel down 5.7 per cent, fruit which was down 2.6 per cent and communications down 2.4 per cent.
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Miranda Brownlee
Miranda Brownlee is the deputy editor of SMSF Adviser, which is the leading source of news, strategy and educational content for professionals working in the SMSF sector.
Since joining the team in 2014, Miranda has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest superannuation stories in Australia, and has reported extensively on technical strategy and legislative updates.
Miranda also has broad business and financial services reporting experience, having written for titles including Investor Daily, ifa and Accountants Daily.
Hi there,
Are these annual figures an average annual figure? Also the total amount required mentioned, divided by the annual figure mentioned, implies a total balance required buys the retiree 12.6 years. This seems odd in that one would hope to survive beyond 12.6 years in retirement. Are you able to clarify? Thankyou!0- These cost of living requirements seem to equate to 10 years of living costs. Is that correct? If not are you able to clarify? If I am correct do these figures presume a person will pass away within 10 years of retiring? Thankyou.0
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