Retirement
Retirement reimagined as Australian optimism meets inflation worries in 2023 super fund insights
Retirement
Retirement reimagined as Australian optimism meets inflation worries in 2023 super fund insights
The latest reports on retirement confidence among Australians present a spectrum of sentiments, with fresh data revealing surprising optimism in some quarters while exposing underlying concerns in others.
Retirement reimagined as Australian optimism meets inflation worries in 2023 super fund insights
The latest reports on retirement confidence among Australians present a spectrum of sentiments, with fresh data revealing surprising optimism in some quarters while exposing underlying concerns in others.
The TAL and Investment Trends 2023 Retirement Income Report, after surveying over 10,600 participants aged 40 and older, has uncovered a notable shift: for the first time in almost a decade, more retirees believe their savings will outlast them after they cease working—35 percent having this conviction compared to the 33 percent who worry about outliving their funds.
This buoyancy comes despite economic headwinds, with 60 percent of Aussie retirees stating they're living comfortably, marking an improvement from the previous year. Ashton Jones from TAL underscores the positive impact of super funds, which "are increasingly lifting the bar to better support members in retirement." He points out that educating members about transitioning from accumulating to drawing down super in retirement can "improve member confidence and outcomes," a move aligned with the Retirement Income Covenant's expectations.
Conversely, insights from the 2023 MFS Global Defined Contribution Survey, incorporating feedback from 1,000 super fund members, depict a more sobering picture. Here, the narrative is flipped, with the majority indicating that inflation has forced them to re-evaluate their retirement savings plan, necessitating extended work life or casting doubt on retiring altogether.
Joshua Barton from MFS Investment Management highlighted these findings, stating, “While the loss of retirement confidence in Australia is in line with global peers, it highlights the role that effective advice can play in helping investors meet their retirement objectives." He emphasized the need for accessible financial advice, especially in an evolving landscape where the sector transitions from savings accumulation to income drawdown.
The MFS study also pinpointed a desire for personal touch in financial advisement, with one in three desiring interaction with an adviser through in-person or video meetings. Barton added, "This is particularly important as the industry readies for superannuation’s historic transition... We must embrace the regulatory and legislative relief changes geared towards delivering better financial outcomes that can help insulate retirees, current and future, from market cycle stress.”
The two contrasting reviews consequently signal a crossroads for Australians facing retirement, with optimism and uncertainty coexisting as they navigate the turbulent financial terrain ahead.
RELATED ARTICLES
Superannuation
Aware Super takes on Australia's gender retirement gap, aiming for financial equality
Aware Super, one of Australia's largest superannuation funds with a 70 per cent female membership, is on a mission to close the gender gap that sees women retire with 30 per cent less super than men ...Read more
Superannuation
Age Pension increase prompts Australians to review their finances
The increase in the Age Pension, which takes effect today, should serve as a prompt for many older Australians to ensure they're maximizing their income as cost-of-living pressures persist, according ...Read more
Superannuation
Aussie retirees face a shortfall as ideal retirement nest egg doubles what super will deliver
As Australians look towards retirement, the desired superannuation balance that many believe will ensure a comfortable retirement has significantly outpaced what they are on track to actually save. Read more
Superannuation
Super funds eye 6.5% return in 2023, despite a rocky start
As the year draws closer to its climax, Chant West unveils its projection for super funds in what can only be described as a year of economic ebbs and flows. Read more
Superannuation
A deep dive into Australia’s superannuation system
Australia has a robust retirement savings system known as superannuation designed to provide financial security to Australians in their post-work years. Read more
Superannuation
50,000 super fund members impacted by data breach
Around 50,000 member records were impacted by the breach that took place earlier this month. Read more
Superannuation
Two super funds tipped to reach $1tn by 2040
KPMG has released the findings from a new review. Read more
Superannuation
Super returns fall into the red for FY22
Unless a recovery takes place in the coming weeks, super funds will experience their fifth negative financial year since the introduction of compulsory super. Read more
Superannuation
Aware Super takes on Australia's gender retirement gap, aiming for financial equality
Aware Super, one of Australia's largest superannuation funds with a 70 per cent female membership, is on a mission to close the gender gap that sees women retire with 30 per cent less super than men ...Read more
Superannuation
Age Pension increase prompts Australians to review their finances
The increase in the Age Pension, which takes effect today, should serve as a prompt for many older Australians to ensure they're maximizing their income as cost-of-living pressures persist, according ...Read more
Superannuation
Aussie retirees face a shortfall as ideal retirement nest egg doubles what super will deliver
As Australians look towards retirement, the desired superannuation balance that many believe will ensure a comfortable retirement has significantly outpaced what they are on track to actually save. Read more
Superannuation
Super funds eye 6.5% return in 2023, despite a rocky start
As the year draws closer to its climax, Chant West unveils its projection for super funds in what can only be described as a year of economic ebbs and flows. Read more
Superannuation
A deep dive into Australia’s superannuation system
Australia has a robust retirement savings system known as superannuation designed to provide financial security to Australians in their post-work years. Read more
Superannuation
50,000 super fund members impacted by data breach
Around 50,000 member records were impacted by the breach that took place earlier this month. Read more
Superannuation
Two super funds tipped to reach $1tn by 2040
KPMG has released the findings from a new review. Read more
Superannuation
Super returns fall into the red for FY22
Unless a recovery takes place in the coming weeks, super funds will experience their fifth negative financial year since the introduction of compulsory super. Read more
