Save
Where is your money going?
Age pensioners and self-funded retirees alike are being hit with a higher cost of living, but what’s driving it?
Where is your money going?
Age pensioners and self-funded retirees alike are being hit with a higher cost of living, but what’s driving it?
The selected living cost index for age pensioners grew by 2.2 per cent between the June quarter in 2017 and the June quarter this year, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Self-funded retirees’ selected living costs index also grew by 2.1 per cent, reflecting an increase in the last quarter of 0.4 per cent.
These indices measure the amount by which after-tax incomes would have to change to allow households to buy the same quantity of goods and services that they bought in the base period.
Self-funded retirees
For self-funded retirees, rising health costs was the main driver behind the 0.4 per cent June quarter increase. Health costs were up 2.0 per cent over the June quarter 2018 thanks to an annual increase in private health insurance (PHI) premiums and a decrease in the PHI rebate.
Rising transport costs, up 1.5 per cent, also didn’t help. These were triggered by high world oil prices.
However, cheaper food and non-alcoholic drinks helped offset the increase to some extent, with a greater supply of seasonal varieties easing the pain.
Pensioners and beneficiaries
This group saw their living cost index grow 0.3 per cent over the June quarter. An increased cost in transport (2.4 per cent) was their main financial burden, although an increase in alcohol and tobacco prices also contributed (1.9 per cent).
Tobacco became more expensive after the federal excise tax increase on 1 March 2018.
Like their self-funded counterparts, cheaper food and drinks, down 0.7 per cent, helped take a bit of the pressure off.
Age pensioners
Their living expenses increased 0.2 per cent in the June quarter, with transport (2.2 per cent) and health (1.0 per cent) the main culprits.
Again, cheaper food and drinks were a saving grace.
Across all groups, housing costs decreased along with recreation and culture between the March and June 2018 quarters.
However, insurance costs increased, up 0.7 per cent for self-funded retirees and age pensioners and up 0.6 per cent for pensioners and beneficiaries.
RELATED ARTICLES
Expenses
Expert tips to secure your financial safety net
New Zealanders are known for their "she'll be right" attitude, but when it comes to handling unexpected bills, being prepared is crucial. Read more
Expenses
Australians continue to opt for free VPNs, ignoring potential privacy risks
Australians, alongside citizens of Sweden, South Korea, and Mexico, are increasingly choosing to use free Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), despite the potential threats to their privacy. Read more
Expenses
Rooftop solar in childcare centres could cut energy bills by millions
The analysis conducted by Parents for Climate has revealed that the installation of rooftop solar and batteries in early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres could lead to savings of up to $130 ...Read more
Expenses
Corporate Traveller identifies key strategies for business travel savings
Flight Centre Travel Group's Corporate Traveller, a premier service provider for managing SME travel, has shared several effective strategies that enabled their business clients to significantly ...Read more
Expenses
Price no longer the prime factor for energy bills
Many Australians are intrigued but unconvinced when it comes to greening their energy bill. Read more
Expenses
1 in 2 Aussie pet owners spends on their pets more than themselves
Does owning a pet eat into your monthly budget? You’re not alone. Read more
Expenses
The real reason Sydney’s petrol prices are so high
Sydney fuel prices may seem like they’re soaring, but a recent study indicates that they may be cheaper than you think. Read more
Expenses
Morrison backs big pharma, turns back to developing countries
Big pharma is currently fighting to maintain intellectual property protections over COVID-19 vaccines, with Australia refusing to act despite having no pharmaceutical companies. Read more
Expenses
Expert tips to secure your financial safety net
New Zealanders are known for their "she'll be right" attitude, but when it comes to handling unexpected bills, being prepared is crucial. Read more
Expenses
Australians continue to opt for free VPNs, ignoring potential privacy risks
Australians, alongside citizens of Sweden, South Korea, and Mexico, are increasingly choosing to use free Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), despite the potential threats to their privacy. Read more
Expenses
Rooftop solar in childcare centres could cut energy bills by millions
The analysis conducted by Parents for Climate has revealed that the installation of rooftop solar and batteries in early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres could lead to savings of up to $130 ...Read more
Expenses
Corporate Traveller identifies key strategies for business travel savings
Flight Centre Travel Group's Corporate Traveller, a premier service provider for managing SME travel, has shared several effective strategies that enabled their business clients to significantly ...Read more
Expenses
Price no longer the prime factor for energy bills
Many Australians are intrigued but unconvinced when it comes to greening their energy bill. Read more
Expenses
1 in 2 Aussie pet owners spends on their pets more than themselves
Does owning a pet eat into your monthly budget? You’re not alone. Read more
Expenses
The real reason Sydney’s petrol prices are so high
Sydney fuel prices may seem like they’re soaring, but a recent study indicates that they may be cheaper than you think. Read more
Expenses
Morrison backs big pharma, turns back to developing countries
Big pharma is currently fighting to maintain intellectual property protections over COVID-19 vaccines, with Australia refusing to act despite having no pharmaceutical companies. Read more
More articles
OUR PLATFORMS AND BRANDS
- Accountants Daily
- Accounting Times
- Adviser Innovation
- Australian Aviation
- Broker Daily
- Cyber Daily
- Defence Connect
- Fintech Business
- HR Leader
- Independent Financial Adviser
- Investment Centre
- Investor Daily
- Lawyers Weekly
- Money Management
- Nestegg
- Property Buzz
- Real Estate Business
- Smart Property Investment
- SMSF Adviser
- Space Connect
- Super Review
- The Adviser
- Wellness Daily
- World of Aviation
EVENTS AND SUMMITS
- ACE25 The Accounting Conference and Exhibition
- Adviser Innovation Summit
- Australian Accounting Awards
- Australian AI Awards
- Australian Aviation Awards
- Australian Aviation Summit
- Australian Broking Awards
- Australian Cyber Awards
- Australian Cyber Summit
- Australian Defence Industry Awards
- Australian Law Awards
- Australian Law Forum
- Australian Space Awards
- Australian Space Summit
- Australian Wealth Management Awards
- Australian Wealth Management Summit
- Better Business Awards
- Better Business Summit
- Broker Innovation Awards
- Broker Innovation Summit
- Budget Summit
- Commerical Finance Awards
- Corporate Counsel Summit
- Defence & National Security Workforce Awards
- Fund Manager of the Year Awards
- ifa Excellence Awards
- Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards
- New Broker Academy
- Partner of the Year Awards
- Partner Summit
- REB Awards
- Rising Star Awards
- SME Bootcamp
- SMSF Technical Strategy Day
- Super Fund of the Year Awards
- Women in Finance Awards
- Women in Finance Summit
- Women in Law Awards
- Women in Law Forum
LEARNING AND EDUCATION
MOMENTUM MARKETS NETWORK
LINKS
STAY CONNECTED
Make your nest egg grow. Register now for nestegg updates.