• 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+ said having a stable, guaranteed income that covers day to day living costs would be the decision to have the greatest impact on 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.
   

When selecting their three most important elements for a happy retirement, Australians aged 60+ rank:

• Having good physical health 58%
• Having enough money to enjoy retirement 44%
• Having good mental health 37%
• Having a purpose in retirement 135%
• Maintaining social connections with family and friends 33%
• Home ownership 32%
• Being able to travel 14%
• Enjoying their hobbies and interests 14%

• 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 are (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 (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.