Lifelong Income Institute
Will your money last
as long as you do?
Independent research and guidance on guaranteed retirement income
for Australians living longer than ever before.
1 in 3 Australians will live past 90 | 30yrs Average retirement duration today |
40% Underestimate how long they'll live | 5% Of retirees hold a lifetime annuity |
Research supported by Challenger Limited · Independent editorial policy · All data sourced from ABS, ASFA, and Mercer CFA Global Pension Index
The challenge
Australians are living longer than their savings plan for
Super was designed to accumulate wealth. But most Australians have no guaranteed plan for turning that wealth into income that lasts a lifetime.
 | Longevity risk The risk of outliving your savings. A 65-year-old Australian woman has a 50% chance of living past 88 — far beyond what most financial plans assume. |
 | Sequencing risk Poor investment returns in the early years of retirement can permanently reduce how long your money lasts — even if markets recover later. |
 | Inflation risk Even modest inflation erodes purchasing power significantly over a 25–30 year retirement. Fixed income needs inflation protection built in. |
“The question isn’t how much you’ve saved. It’s how long it will last.”
LIFELONG INCOME INSTITUTE · 2025 RETIREMENT CONFIDENCE SURVEY
Understanding your options
Three ways to structure income in retirement
There is no single right answer — but understanding the options is the first step toward a plan that gives you certainty and flexibility.
Account-based pension
Draw down from your super balance at a rate you choose. Market-linked, flexible, and the most common approach — but exposed to longevity and sequencing risk.
Lifetime annuity
Exchange a lump sum for a guarenteed income stream that lasts for life - no matter how long you live. Eliminates longevity risk entirely.
Blended strategy
Combine a guaranteed income floor with a flexible account-based pension. The income floor covers essential expenses, the flexible portion handles everything else.
Research & Insights
Original research on retirement income in Australia
Annual Survey · 2025
Retirement Confidence Survey: How prepared are Australians really?
Our inaugural survey of 1,200 Australians aged 50–75 reveals a significant gap between perceived and actual retirement readiness.
Policy watch · 2025
The Retirement Income Covenant: Two years on
An assessment of how super funds have responded to the RIC and what it means for members approaching retirement.
Adviser hub · 2025
Blended retirement income strategies: A practical framework
A technical guide for advisers on constructing income floors using annuities alongside account-based pensions. Includes case studies.