It's the question we all want to know the answer to.
Preparing a budget is the best place to start. Understanding how much you "need" and how much you "want" to maintain your lifestyle determines how much you'll need to support it.
Think about:
- Needs – essentials like rent, rates, council fees, food, bills
- Wants – the extras like holidays, meals out, entertainment
- Rainy Days – for unexpected costs like home or car repairs, new appliances
- Estate planning – putting money aside for family or friends
Not quite sure what your spending habits are or what you'll need? ASFA provides annual budget benchmarks to fund 'comfortable' or 'modest' standards of living in retirement.
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ASFA Retirement Standard showing annual budget benchmarks for those aged around 65
For those aged around 65
Modest lifestyle
Comfortable lifestyle
Single Couple Single Couple $27,987 $40,440 $43,901 $62,083 -
ASFA Retirement Standard showing annual budget benchmarks for various households and living standards for those aged 85
For those aged 85
Modest lifestyle
Comfortable lifestyle
Single Couple Single Couple $26,609 $38,077 $42,065 $58,345
The figures in each case assume that the retiree(s) own their own home and relate to expenditure by the household. This can be greater than household income after income tax where there is a drawdown on capital over the period of retirement.
Source: ASFA Retirement Standard, September quarter 2020
While the ASFA benchmark is a good guide, your lifestyle is unique. So it’s important to work out what you personally think you'll need for your retirement and how long you will need it. Our retirement planner can get started, and help understand how much you could need in retirement.
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