POWERED BY MOMENTUM MEDIA
Retirees’ spending falls faster than expected
Retirees’ spending has fallen faster than expected into old age, according to findings from the analysis of real-world expenditure data conducted by Milliman.
The median retired couples’ expenditure fell by more than one-third (36.7 per cent) as they moved from their peak spending years in early retirement, between 65 to 69 years of age and into older age (85 years and beyond).
At the same time, the decline in expenditure for couples in the early years of retirement was about six to eight per cent across each four-year age band and then it accelerated once retirees passed 80 years of age.
According to the Association of Superannuation Funds in Australia (ASFA), a “comfortable” couple aged 85+ years would spend about 7.8 per cent less than those aged 65-85 years of age, with food expenditure being the largest component of essential spending, while all discretionary expenditure such as travel and leisure would continue to decline even more.
The Milliman Retirement Expectations and Spending Profiles (ESP) analysis showed the top 75th percentile of retirees aged 85-plus were still spending at or below the Aged Pension.
Milliman stressed that financial plans and products should reflect these expenditure changes and the greater risks, such as market falls, and uncertainties, such as health events.
At the same time, many products which were aimed at retirees still assumed their spending would rise in line with CPI, with more than half of all of balanced pension funds ranking their performance against CPI.
Recommended for you
The superannuation industry will be judged by its member services rather than how effectively it accumulates wealth, according to Stephen Jones.
The profit-to-member super funds are officially operating as a merged entity, set to serve over half a million members.
Super Review announced 21 winners at the annual Super Fund of the Year Awards, including the recipient of the prestigious Fund of the Year Award.
A research firm has given UniSuper a glowing review, praising its strong leadership and “compact team”, as well as its “creditable governance” structure.
TOP PERFORMING FUNDS
ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND
Fund name
3y(%)pa
1
Spire Oaktree Opportunities XI Second Close
61.07 3 y p.a(%)
2
Spire Oaktree Opportunities XI First Close USD
59.21 3 y p.a(%)
3
DomaCom Lot 21 Chellaston Road Munno Para West SA 5115 Australia
32.57 3 y p.a(%)
4
Fidante Credit Suisse Global Private Equity
32.09 3 y p.a(%)
5
DomaCom 4/27 Crombie Avenue Bundall QLD 4217 Australia
27.42 3 y p.a(%)
