Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 223

Understand the retirement income challenge

Recent research on over 5,500 senior Australians showed most are aware of their increasing longevity, but there were some surprising findings into retirement expectations. National Seniors Australia (NSA) and Challenger surveyed a broad representation of NSA members. Regular, constant income covering essential needs came out as the major requirement in retirement, but other results were less predictable.

Limited intentional bequests

While Treasury officials might be worried that older Australians are looking to build up a tax-free super nest egg and pass it all onto their kids, that is not the motivation for older Australians. Only 3% of respondents indicated that they intended to preserve all their capital for the next generation. These are probably wealthy older Australians who can afford to live off the income from their assets, rather than having to draw down the capital.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that senior Australians have turned stingy. Indeed, the split was roughly even between those leaning towards preserving capital and those looking to spend it down. Only 10% want to spend down everything. In practice, it seems that retirees are not spending it all (at least not yet).

So, what is driving the observed behaviour?

Understanding the implications of longevity

The survey highlighted that most retirees are aware of their increased longevity. 83% reported an awareness of a likely 6-year increase in life expectancy compared to their parents’ generation. 49% reported making financial plans for retirement and 47% have plans for medical and health expenses. These are all signs that Australian retirees are aware of the need to manage for longevity.

This awareness could also indicate why they don’t think they will be leaving money for the kids. They’re not sure that they will be able to afford it.

Living longer means that retirees will have to fund their spending for longer and it is probably more that the retirees are looking after themselves first. Only if they don’t need it will they leave something for the kids. Comments from individual respondents reflected the theme that kids are in a better place than current retirees, potentially due to the existence of superannuation (i.e. they already have their own retirement savings).

In terms of planning, making sure that they have income for the rest of their lives was a high priority, but it wasn’t what they were most concerned about.

Preference for regular income

Top billing in this year’s survey went to the need for regular income to meet essential needs. A previous survey in 2012 had ranked money for health costs as the top priority, but a broader focus, that includes other essential needs, topped the list this time.

The chart below indicates the key concerns that seniors have around their finances. While lowest ranked, many still consider it important to leave an estate, suggesting it is more about the capability, rather than the intention, that is likely to limit what the average Australian retiree will bequest.

Seeking financial advice

Another element of the report that might surprise was the high number (59%) who reported using a financial adviser. With around 160,000 households retiring every year, this suggests that there are around 100,000 pieces of advice (or information) from advisers about retirement. This might seem a little high, but it includes some limited advice (including general advice). Based on other surveys, it’s likely that less than half of them maintain an ongoing relationship.

With a growing number of baby boomers set to retire in the coming years, the demand for quality advice will only increase. With the increase in goals-based advice strategies, the report also gives some pointers about the key goals for retirees.

In summary, beyond the timing of the next overseas trip, the key goals are to generate a regular stream of income to meet essential spending and meet health and aged care costs later in life.

It would be hard to argue an adequate goals-based plan has been developed if it does not include solutions to meet each of these goals for a retiree.

 

Aaron Minney is Head of Retirement Income Research at Challenger Limited. This article is for general educational purposes and does not consider the specific circumstances of any individual.

4 Comments
Jack
November 23, 2017

If life expectancy is such that many people are now living until age 90, it is likely that their children will be in their late 50s or early 60s when they inherit.

In that circumstance it is debatable how much of a helping hand from their parent's inheritance these children will need at that age.

Graham Hand
November 23, 2017

Completely agree, Jack. I think that's why 'The Bank of Mum and Dad' is such a major factor in the property market. If you have the money now and plenty for the future, what's the point of your kids inheriting the money when they are 60, after they've struggled when they were 30 to 40 to pay off the mortgage on a modest home while bringing up a family and holding down two jobs. Then the kids leave home and they don't need the money. Better, if possible, to give a chunk to them at age 30 and let your extended family enjoy a better quality of home. I'm not saying you make life easy for them, but $500,000 buys nothing in Sydney.

Aaron Minney
October 19, 2017

Hi Ashley
That was covered by the question in the report which is available from the National Seniors Australia website (https://nationalseniors.com.au/be-informed/research/publications/seniors-more-savvy-about-retirement-income).
The responses to the question split down the middle between spending most/ all or preserving some/ all (51/49).
An inheritance was also the lowest ranked priority with 23% viewing it at very important to leave something to the next generation.
While it is important to many (certainly not all), there was a strong suggestion that they want to spend their money on themselves first, and the estate was a residual rather than an explicit objective.

Ashley
October 18, 2017

I see that only 3% of respondents indicated that they intended to preserve all their capital for the next generation, but what if the question were: “Do you intend to preserve PART, or a substantial part, for the next generation?" You might get a different story.

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

It's not a shock that retirement is different

Are lifetime income streams the answer or just the easy way out?

Time to build a super system fit for retirement

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Maybe it’s time to consider taxing the family home

Australia could unlock smarter investment and greater equity by reforming housing tax concessions. Rethinking exemptions on the family home could benefit most Australians, especially renters and owners of modest homes.

Supercharging the ‘4% rule’ to ensure a richer retirement

The creator of the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals, Bill Bengen, has written a new book outlining fresh strategies to outlive your money, including holding fewer stocks in early retirement before increasing allocations.

Simple maths says the AI investment boom ends badly

This AI cycle feels less like a revolution and more like a rerun. Just like fibre in 2000, shale in 2014, and cannabis in 2019, the technology or product is real but the capital cycle will be brutal. Investors beware.

Why we should follow Canada and cut migration

An explosion in low-skilled migration to Australia has depressed wages, killed productivity, and cut rental vacancy rates to near decades-lows. It’s time both sides of politics addressed the issue.

Are franking credits worth pursuing?

Are franking credits factored into share prices? The data suggests they're probably not, and there are certain types of stocks that offer higher franking credits as well as the prospect for higher returns.

Are LICs licked?

LICs are continuing to struggle with large discounts and frustrated investors are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto them. This explains why the next 6-12 months will be make or break for many LICs.

Latest Updates

A nation of landlords and fund managers

Super and housing dwarf every other asset class in Australia, and they’ve both become too big to fail. Can they continue to grow at current rates, and if so, what are the implications for the economy, work and markets?

Economy

The hidden property empire of Australia’s politicians

With rising home prices and falling affordability, political leaders preach reform. But asset disclosures show many are heavily invested in property - raising doubts about whose interests housing policy really protects.

Retirement

Retiring debt-free may not be the best strategy

Retiring with debt may have advantages. Maintaining a mortgage on the family home can provide a line of credit in retirement for flexibility, extra income, and a DIY reverse mortgage strategy.

Shares

Why the ASX is losing Its best companies

The ASX is shrinking not by accident, but by design. A governance model that rewards detachment over ownership is driving capital into private hands and weakening public markets.

Investment strategies

3 reasons the party in big tech stocks may be over

The AI boom has sparked investor euphoria, but under the surface, US big tech is showing cracks - slowing growth, surging capex, and fading dominance signal it's time to question conventional tech optimism.

Investment strategies

Resilience is the new alpha

Trade is now a strategic weapon, reshaping the investment landscape. In this environment, resilient companies - those capable of absorbing shocks and defending margins - are best positioned to outperform.

Shares

The DNA of long-term compounding machines

The next generation of wealth creation is likely to emerge from founder influenced firms that combine scalable models with long-term alignment. Four signs can alert investors to these companies before the crowds.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.