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The big questions facing retirees

Australia’s highly rated superannuation system finally got a legislated objective in 2023. While most people probably understood the purpose of generating income in retirement, the objective provides a basis for, hopefully, getting the policy settings right for retirement. Last year we had to digest a new controversial tax while making some progress on advice reforms while volatile markets were helped by easing of inflation and a strong run into the end of the year. What will we have to digest in 2024?

The new year brings another consultation from Treasury on the Retirement Phase of Superannuation. This is recognition that Australia’s highly regarded accumulation system needs to be better at converting the accumulated savings of Australians into the income they need for retirement. There are different challenges in retirement, and 2024 is likely to showcase some of them.

Issues for retirees this year

Treasury notes that the need to fix the retirement phase is becoming “more urgent”. The success in accumulating savings means that there are more retirees who need help with their retirement income. Unfortunately, while the number of retirees has been growing, the number of financial advisers who can help is shrinking. Hopefully the Quality of Advice reforms will address this.

Another challenge lurking in 2024 is the ongoing cost of living. Inflation is down from the peak, but an annual rate of almost 5% (as at October 2023) is still too high to be easily managed. Retirees need help with managing inflation, and funds are required under the retirement income covenant to have a plan to manage inflation risk along with longevity and market risks. While the Australian market is close to highs, volatility in recent years has highlighted a challenge in drawing an income from risky markets. The risk is that the income might not last as long as anticipated. The challenge is to maintain some market exposure while locking in some income that will last for life. If the Age Pension of just over $26,000 for single is enough, you are set. For retirees who want a better lifestyle, they need a retirement income plan that improves their retirement outcome.

An example

A good retirement income plan is one that includes market exposure for long term growth and a secure income stream. Consider the example of Sun and Steve:

Sun and Steve are a recently retired 67-year-old couple. They’ve worked hard and are now looking forward to having a whole lot more time to do the things they love. They are active, interested and involved. They have a couple life expectancy of age 94 (when one of both is expected to still be alive).

Sun and Steve own their own home and are free of debt. They have $350,000 each in superannuation to start funding their retirement income. Their super (and any future account-based pension) is invested in accordance with their 50/50 growth/ defensive risk profile. They have $50,000 in cash and term deposits and $20,000 worth of personal assets.

Sun and Steve would like to live comfortably for as long as possible and estimate that $71,724p.a. (equal to the ASFA September 2023 ‘Comfortable’ retirement standard[1]), indexed each year with inflation, would be sufficient to meet this goal. As part of their total intended annual spend in retirement Sun and Steve have established that they require at least $46,250 p.a. (equal to the ASFA September 2023 ‘Modest’ retirement standard), indexed each year with inflation, to meet their essential spending requirements in retirement.

Modelling a combination of account-based pensions and a 20% allocation to guaranteed CPI-linked lifetime annuities

The retirement income modelling[2] for Sun and Steve involves a blend of both account-based pensions and a 20% allocation to guaranteed CPI-linked lifetime annuities. This strategy involves a re-balancing of the asset allocation of the account-based pensions to ensure that the allocation to the CPI-linked lifetime annuity does not ‘de-risk’ Sun and Steve’s asset allocation.

This combination of income streams payable to Sun and Steve over their retirement is represented in the graph below.

For Sun and Steve, a 20% partial allocation to a lifetime income stream provides:

  • Lifetime income, fully indexed for inflation, for as long as they live. The lifetime income amount in the first year is $7,606;
  • An Age Pension increase in year 1 of $4,368 (24% higher than the equivalent non-lifetime portfolio);
  • A 100% chance of meeting income 'needs' (an increase of 38% over the non-lifetime portfolio);
  • A 74% chance of meeting desired 'needs and wants' (an increase of 17% over the non-lifetime portfolio);
  • Total retirement income paid over 27 years increases by $21,101 (in today's dollars); and
  • The Estate value at the end of 27 years is $97,836 higher (in today's dollars).

The outcome is that the combined portfolio can deliver the retirement income that Sun and Steve need along with the confidence that the money they need will last. This can provide the confidence to spend so they can live their best retirement.

Predicting the next shock is difficult. Building a portfolio that can adjust to various shocks is a robust way to generate income through retirement. The blended portfolio does just that. It provides an appropriate mix to meet the goals of the retiree.

And it isn’t always good to focus on easy digestion. A meal of a steak, veggies and a drink is more enjoyable and probably better than blending them all into a brown-green smoothie that can be drunk on the run.

 

[1] https://www.superannuation.asn.au/resources/retirement-standard/

[2] All projections sourced from the Challenger Retirement Illustrator (17/12/2023) using Social Security rates and thresholds effective 20 September 2023. 67-year-old female/male homeowner couple. $350,000 each available for investment via account-based pension and partial (20%) allocation to lifetime annuity. Super asset allocation 50% growth/50% defensive. Assumes returns of 4% p.a. for defensive assets and 8% p.a. for growth assets before fees. $50,000 cash/TDs earning 4% p.a. interest. Personal assets of $20,000. $71,724 p.a. desired income including $46,620 p.a. essential income. Amounts shown are in today’s dollars. CPI of 2.5% p.a. See Challenger Retirement Illustrator Assumptions  for all assumptions. Rates subject to change.

 

Aaron Minney is Head of Retirement Income Research at Challenger Limited. This article is for general educational purposes and does not consider the specific circumstances of any individual.

 

16 Comments
Michael
January 16, 2024

I am in receipt of two sources of income, each one indexed to the CPI.
I wouldn't dream of manipulating my finances around by paying some financial wizard in order to get a token amount of old age pension. Get Real.

Dudley
January 16, 2024

"get a token amount of old age pension":

Capital $1,003,001, sources of income return 5% = CPI of 5%:
= PMT((1 + 5%) / (1 + 5%) - 1, (94 - 67), -1003001, 1003001)
= $0.

Michael2
January 16, 2024

Thank you very much for the article.

Is our Aged Pension system the equivalent of an annuity?

Dudley
January 16, 2024

"Is our Aged Pension system the equivalent of an annuity?":

An inverted annuity; when capital invested decreases, return (Age Pension) increases:
$1,003,000, return $0.00 / y
$451,500 return (26 f * $1,653.40 / f) = $42,988.40 / y

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/assets-test-for-age-pension?context=22526
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-age-pension-you-can-get?context=22526

Return rate on reducing assessable capital:
= (42988.40 - 0.00) / (1003000 - 451500)
= 7.79% / y

plus 6% / y capital gain on investing reduced assessable capital in tax free home improvement:
= 6% / y * (1003000 - 451500)
= $33,090 / y

plus return on assessable capital:
= 5% / y on $451,500:
= $22,575.00 / y

Tax on couple taxable income of (42988.4 + 22575) = 65563.4
= 2 * 944.26 / y
= $1,888.52 / y

Total net income:
= 42988.40 + 33090.00 + 22575.00 - 1888.52
= $96,764.88 / y

James
January 16, 2024

The non realised capital gain on your home isn't really "net income" Dudley as you can't spend it without first selling your home and paying transactional costs, including stamp duty if you buy another!

Each to their own too, but if we all did what you frequently advocate the country would go broke!

Dudley
January 16, 2024

"The non realised capital gain on your home isn't really "net income" Dudley as you can't spend it without first selling your home and paying transactional costs, including stamp duty if you buy another!":

Price of admission to Age Care is roughly one modest home per resident.
"The average age of residents is 85 years and length of stay two and a half years."
Could spend all then take pot luck with assignment by Commonwealth to a free fabulous facility or a nasty one.
Or save up with tax free investment in pre-Age Care home and pick and choose.

Aaron Minney
January 18, 2024

Michael2
Short answer: "Yes"
But the Age Pension is means-tested and provides a safety-net not a comfortable standard of living

David Williams
January 15, 2024

As far as it goes, all good. But the real issue is that we are simply not preparing people effectively from midlife to make the best of the rest of their life. The first step in the financial journey is for each person to achieve a reasonably defined expectation of the quality and quantity of life ahead of them, and what they can do about knowing this. The act of 'retirement' is simply one step in a much richer and more diverse journey. Proper longevity planning is the only truly holistic approach to underpin the health, family/estate planning, financial and other aspirations people may have. It's time for this to become the norm, supported by all advisers who want the best for their clients and by governments to ensure adequate longevity education is available.

Dudley
January 12, 2024

"$71,724p.a.":

Another way:

Stash excess cash and super in home improvement and claim full Age Pension:

Cash yield 4.5% / y, inflation 2.5% / y, to 94 from 67, Max full Age Pension Assets $415,500, 26 fortnights Age Pension $1,653.40 / f, Home capital growth 5% / y, capital exceeding Asset Test invested in home improvement:

= PMT(((1 + 4.5%) / (1 + 2.5%) -1), (94 - 67), -451500, 0) + (26 * 1653.4) + ((1 + 5%) / (1 + 2.5%) -1) * ((2 * 350000 + 50000 + 20000) - 451500)
= $72,427.73 / y

James
January 13, 2024

Cash flow is king in retirement. Stashing cash in your home, even with capital growth, makes you asset rich and possibly cash poor (depending on your circumstances). Life is not a rehearsal. Dying capital rich is not my idea of sensible, nor is denying yourself adventures just to minimise tax or maximize "free" government income. Et vivere, reservate though, I guess!

Dudley
January 13, 2024

"Stashing cash in your home, even with capital growth, makes you asset rich and possibly cash poor (depending on your circumstances).":

Then tailor to taste. Want more cash, seek larger return, with increased risk of loss:

= PMT(((1 + 9.5%) / (1 + 2.5%) - 1), (94 - 67), -451500, 0) + (26 * 1653.4) + ((1 + 5%) / (1 + 2.5%) -1) * ((2 * 350000 + 50000 + 20000) - 451500)
= $87,817

Worst that can happen financially: incur large debts to gear investments that plunge, lose home, pay off debt out of Age Pension.

Rob
January 11, 2024

You would expect Challenger to "run the annuity line" and that is ok. The problem is when the word "guaranteed" is used. While annuities are a contractual agreement "to pay" over time where the "guarantee" is only as good as the company providing it and critically, the Regulator entrusted to ensure those guarantees can be met. I have zero issues with Challenger or Aussie Regulators however these are very long term contracts backed by Assets that can be and have been, very volatile. Eyes wide open is the message!

Abel
January 15, 2024

As they say, you can exchange risks but you can't eliminate them. In the case of annuities you exchange longevity risk with third party risk (the insurance company being unable to fulfill its obligations).

The right annuities can be a good option for some but I think most of us will need advice to be able to determine if it is for us and which one is the best option.

Errol
January 11, 2024

Great article Aaron with an easy to follow example.

The challenge is getting the information to retirees. Less advisors, perceived high cost of advice and the very slow development and uptake of Comprehensive Income for Retirement products by Super Funds are all barriers.

The Government needs to do better in this area and not just focus on tax issues.

Kevin
January 13, 2024

Dear Aaron why don't you leave out the section of your graph where it is automatic ally assumed someone can get a part pension. Do the same without any age pension aspect. Kevin

Dudley
January 13, 2024

"without any age pension":

Either do not apply for Age Pension or always have more than $1,003,000 Assessable Assets:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/assets-test-for-age-pension?context=22526

Return = inflation = 5%, real return:
= PMT((1 + 5%) / (1 + 5%) - 1, (94 - 67), -1003000, 1003000)
= $0.

Present Value of capital required produce return equal to Age Pension:
= PV((1 + 5%) / (1 + 5%) - 1, (94 - 67), (26 * 1653.4), 1003000)
= -$2,163,686.80 (- = invested)

Inflation 5%; nominal return required produce return equal to Age Pension:
= (1 + RATE((94 - 67), (26 * 1653.4), -1003000, 1003000)) * (1 + 5%) - 1
= 9.5%

Age Pension comes without volatility.

 

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