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Tuesday, 21 September 2021
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Based on the latest data, men aged 45 now are expected to retire at age 65.2 and women were expected to retire almost one year earlier at 64.3. The expected retirement ages are moving out for men more than women.
Average life expectancies are a weak predictor of individual outcomes, and it's better to consider a range of probable lifespans. A plan that lasts to the average will disappoint every second retiree.
With more people living longer, retirement expectations are being reshaped and redefined. Now is the time to consider the financial and cultural solutions for making the most out of the gift of a longer life.
While financial solutions to longevity are worth pursuing, it is more important to educate people on what the late-stages of life are likely to deliver, and the time to prepare is now.
Retirement is not a steady state of more time for holidays and family. Planning must allow for the onset of part-disability and disability, and costs can rise significantly in the final 'frailty' years.
As Cuffelinks celebrates five years of publishing, I have chosen five of my favourite articles over that time, all of which deal with the ‘retirement income challenge’ one way or another.
Life expectancy is not only uncertain, it’s also typically underestimated and misunderstood, particularly for a couple. It's vital for knowing how long your money must last.
Both before and after retirement, there are actions most people can take to improve the chances of attaining a desired lifestyle after paid work finishes.
Despite rapid increases in life expectancy at the time of receipt, eligibility for the age pension has remained at 65 for 100 years. It creates a sense of entitlement and discourages people saving for retirement.
More wealth and better education levels mean SMSF trustees have a longer life expectancy by 2-3 years. They should be financially prepared and save for for those extra retirement years and beyond.
Lower spending strategies and the right investment options are crucial to giving superannuation members the best chance of making their super last for an average 25 year retirement.
EY's research report studies the pension and retirement systems of 18 countries to gain insights for better policy reform, decision-making and outcomes for retirees. What can we learn from the global stage?
Who knew? With some surprise results, the Government is on unexpected firm ground in asking people to draw on all their assets in retirement, although the comments show what feisty and informed readers we have.
The RBA Governor says rising house prices are due to "the design of our taxation and social security systems". The OECD says "the prolonged boom in house prices has inflated the wealth of many pensioners without impacting their pension eligibility." What's your view?
It's a remarkable statistic. In any year since 1875, if you had invested in the Australian stock index, turned away and come back eight years later, your average return would be 120% with no negative periods.
Never stand between Australian households and an uncapped government programme with $3 billion in ‘free money’ to build or renovate their homes. But excess supply is coming with an absence of net migration.
Picking macro trends is difficult. What may seem logical and compelling one minute may completely change a few months later. There are better rewards from focussing on identifying the best companies at good prices.
Some high-quality companies have emerged even stronger since the onset of COVID and are well placed for outperformance. We call these the ‘COVID Opportunists’ as they are now dominating their specific sectors.