This is their story
C&C want to focus on ensuring they can live a comfortable retirement and have estimated they will need income of $60,000 p.a. to fund it. They have also calculated that they would need at least $43,000 p.a. to pay for their basic living expenses.
C&C are currently eligible for a part Age Pension. This plus their super should allow them to live comfortably. However, Charlotte has always been cautious and is concerned that their money might not last as long as they have planned. Given that Australians their age can expect to live well into their nineties, she is right to feel concerned.
News headlines, world events and the ASX’s ups and downs are also a concern. Charlotte wants the security of knowing they have enough money to live well without having to rely on just the Age Pension.
The advice they received
Their financial adviser ran the numbers and suggests that they convert their superannuation into a combination of income streams.
The first income stream their adviser recommends is two Challenger Lifetime Annuities (Liquid Lifetime). They are advised to each invest 30% of their superannuation (or $90,000 each) to provide a regular income for life regardless of how long they live. Because only part of the amount invested into a lifetime annuity is counted under the assets test, they could increase their Age Pension by $216 a fortnight in the first year. That might not sound much – but over five years it could amount to over $20,000.
The regular income from the Age Pension and the lifetime annuity provide them with regular income which can help pay for their basic living expenses during their lifetime.
Their adviser also recommends that they each set up an account-based pension with their remaining superannuation balance of $210,000 each. They can choose from a range of investments and select the income they draw, subject to the Government’s minimum payment requirements.
The account-based pension is designed to provide them with an income stream that helps give them the lifestyle they desire until it runs out.
This strategy is designed to give them not only the preferred level of income and certainty that they desire, but also helps improve their Age Pension outcomes.
Source: Challenger Age Pension Illustrator (21/09/2021) using Social Security rates and thresholds effective 21 September 2021.
Getting the right advice
With the adviser’s recommendations, C&C will have income from various sources to meet different expenses. Their income for their first year of retirement would be:
- $7,379 combined from their lifetime annuities
- $29,131 from their account-based pensions
- $22,090 from their Age Pensions
- $1,400 interest from their cash holdings
These income streams provide the $60,000 budget they were hoping for to live comfortably.
How to be safe – not sorry
Lifetime annuities give you regular income for life, regardless of how long you live.
Anyone approaching, or in, retirement should ensure they receive as much Age Pension as they’re entitled to. The more Age Pension they receive, the less they’ll need to draw down from their retirement savings. Many people are concerned their savings won’t last as long as they do for two main reasons:
- challenging investment markets, and
- increased life expectancies.
Under the Age Pension rules, investing in a lifetime income stream, such as a lifetime annuity may also help boost your Age Pension – and stretch your retirement savings. To learn more about how to improve your Age Pension and retirement income outcomes, speak to your financial adviser today.
Important notes: Age Pension benefits described above will not apply to all individuals. Age Pension outcomes depend on an individual (or couple’s) personal circumstances and may change over time. While lifetime income streams may immediately benefit some Age Pension eligible retirees who are assessed under the assets test, in later years, if assessed under the income test, any ongoing Age pension benefits may be reduced.
The calculations above are from Challenger’s Retirement Illustrator tool as at 21 September 2021 (accessible to financial advisers only). Unless otherwise stated, the Illustrator does not take into account the short term measures announced as part of the Commonwealth Government’s economic plan in response to COVID-19 (as outlined in the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Bill 2020) including payments to support households, early release of superannuation and temporary reductions in the superannuation minimum drawdown rates. Depending on an investor’s situation and user inputs, this may impact illustrations provided in the Illustrator.
The Retirement Illustrator also contains the following assumptions:
Government Age Pension: The Government Age Pension amounts illustrated are based on current law. For the purpose of rates and threshold indexation CPI and AWOTE are assumed to be the same. Any future changes to legislation will alter the Age Pension amounts projected. It is important to note that the Government Age Pension amounts projected are illustrations only and are not a guarantee that a person will be entitled to the Government Age Pension. Eligibility for Government Age Pension entitlements will vary depending on personal circumstances, including the future value of investments and changes to marital status. To check eligibility for the Government Age Pension, go to www.humanservices.gov.au. Unless otherwise stated all amounts are shown in ‘today’s dollars’. This means that illustrations take into account the impact of inflation between the time of the illustration and the future date.
Continuance of life: The Illustrator assumes the life/lives being illustrated do not die before the end of the illustration period. Where death occurs before the end of the illustration period the results will be different.
Taxation: The Illustrator does not calculate any tax payable on the projected regular retirement income or capital gains. Generally, once a person turns age 60 and retires, any income received from superannuation investments is tax-free. However, other investments not purchased with money rolled over within the superannuation system may be subject to tax. Where the annuity is purchased with non superannuation money, tax may be payable on any lump sum withdrawal amount.
Amounts are shown in today’s dollars: Results are shown in ‘today’s dollars’. This means illustrations take into account the impact of inflation between the time of the illustration and the future date, in order to show all figures in today’s purchasing power.
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