Gen Ys risk financial disappointment

13 March 2012
| By Bela Moore |
image
image
expand image

Gen Ys need to do more to achieve their financial goals, according to a new REST Industry Super survey that found over 75 per cent of Gen Ys expect their future to be comfortable or very comfortable.

REST's latest research aimed to look at ways in which government, community and the financial services sector could assist Gen Ys in attaining their goals. The survey of 600 Australians, aged 18 to 30, asked questions about work ethic, salary expectations and home ownership goals.

Results reflected an optimistic outlook, with over 90 per cent of participants believing they would own their own property at some stage, 15 per cent believing they would be rich, and over 50 per cent positive about the next 10 to 15 years of their career. 

While participants responded positively about their financial prospects, many already carried debt and healthy savings habits often satisfied short-term goals. 

According to REST Industry Super chief executive Damian Hill, these factors and a lack of financial literacy could mean many Gen Ys will fall short of their expectations. He advised aligning their budgets with their goals by employing tools such as monthly forecasts.

He also pointed to additional superannuation contributions and managing one super fund only as the path to a comfortable retirement.

"Taking their superannuation with them as they change jobs is getting easier, so now it is almost like taking their bank account with them," Hill said. 

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

1 year ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

1 year ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

1 year ago

The future of superannuation policy remains uncertain, with further reforms potentially on the horizon as the Albanese government seeks to curb the use of superannuation ...

7 hours 50 minutes ago

Super funds had a “tremendous month” in November, according to new data....

4 days 6 hours ago

Australia faces a decade of deficits, with the sum of deficits over the next four years expected to overshoot forecasts by $21.8 billion....

4 days 11 hours ago