• 76% of Australians aged 60+ say they would be much happier if they had guaranteed regular income for life, increase of 4% since 2024.
• 65% of Australians aged 60+ believe that having a stable, guaranteed retirement income that covers day-to-day living costs would have the biggest impact on their retirement happiness.
• More than two‑fifths (44%) of Australians aged 60+ rank having enough money to enjoy retirement as the most important factor to a happy retirement.
   

• Certainty their money will last their life 72%
• Confidence to cover health costs 65%
• Maintaining their lifestyle 53%
   

1. Volunteer (76.8) vs non volunteers (68.7)
2. Homeowners (72.9) vs non homeowners (60.1)
3. Married (72.4) vs Not married (65.8)
4. Retirees (71.1) vs pre-retirees (66.8)
5. Female (69.9) vs Male (69.1)

Volunteering can play an important role, as Australians who volunteer are 18% more likely to say they have a clear sense of purpose and meaning in life, highlighting the link between social connection and happiness in retirement.

• Three in five (61%) Australians aged 60+ agree that financial education had a positive impact on their happiness.
• 30% Australians aged 60+ agree they’d be much happier if they had access to education on their financial options in retirement, with nearly one in ten strongly agreeing with this.

1. TAS/NT/ACT 70.6
2. SA 70.3
3. NSW 70
4. VIC 69.7
5. QLD 69.5
6. WA 66.5

• Those in capital cities (48%) are more likely to rank having enough money to enjoy retirement within their top three, compared to those who live regionally (39%).
• Similarly, those living in capital cities are more likely than those living regionally to prioritise being able to cover health and aged care costs with confidence (67% compared to 61%) when prioritising saving enough money for retirement.

• For the third straight year, cost of living continues to be a concern for older Australians who are worried about the impact of rising costs on their ability to maintain their lifestyle (57%), financial security (54%), and running out of money in retirement (46%).

• Pre-retirees are more likely than retirees to rank money-related issues within their top three concerns including:
  • Not having enough money to do what they want: 46% compared to 33%
  • Running out of money in retirement: 43% compared to 30%.
• Pre-retirees tend to prioritise having certainty that their money will last the rest of their life (77% vs 69%) and maintaining their current lifestyle (57% vs 51%) within their top three priorities for saving enough money for retirement.

• Happiness is also influenced by marital status. Older Australians who are married / partnered have a higher happiness score compared to those who aren’t (72.4 compared to 65.8).
• Those married / partnered are more likely to find importance in planning for aged care costs (52% compared to 46%) and downsizing/ selling the family home (32% compared to 19%).
• Single respondents (70%) more likely to believe their happiness would be impacted by losing pension / concession card benefits compared to those who are married / partnered (62%).