Yes, it is possible to retire with no money. While it may be challenging, it is achievable by adopting a frugal lifestyle and maximizing your income sources.
Supplement your income with the Government Age Pension
If you don't have enough financial resources, such as super, to fund your retirement, the Age Pension can help. The Age Pension is a government payment – described as a 'safety net' – for people who meet the age and residency requirements.
How much money do you need to retire? A good rule of thumb is to save enough to cover 80% of your pre-retirement income. You'll need to account for inflation and how it affects your purchasing power down the line. Retirement needs are highly individualized based on your desired lifestyle.
This obviously depends on what annual income you want to fund but if you want to be able to afford a comfortable retirement—which is an income of just over $48,000 a year for a single according to the ASFA Retirement Standard—then you need a balance of at least $500,000.
Retiring at 40 with $2 million is possible, though it is a lofty goal, especially if you don't have a large inheritance or some other windfall. But it can be done if your income is high sufficient and if you are aggressive with your savings strategy.
If you have retired and are eligible, it can work together with income you get from other sources. These may include your super and other savings or investments. Key points: You're eligible if you're 65-67 years, an Australian resident, and pass an income and assets test.
Age Pension age is: 65 years and 6 months, if you were born between 1 July 1952 and 31 December 1953. 66 years, if you were born between 1 January 1954 and 30 June 1955. 66 years and 6 months, if you were born between 1 July 1955 and 31 December 1956.
Without savings, it will be difficult to maintain in retirement the same lifestyle that you had in your working years. You may need to make adjustments such as moving into a smaller home or apartment; forgoing extras such as cable television, an iPhone, or a gym membership; or driving a less expensive car.
We want you to hear us say this: It's never too late to get started saving for retirement. No matter how old you are or how much (or how little) you have saved so far, there's always something you can do. You can't change the past, but you can still change your future.
So looking at the table, you can see that a 60-year old male will need a lump sum of almost $500,000 to provide an annual income in retirement of $42,000 for 20 years. These calculations are based on a 20-year time frame because the approximate life expectancy for Australian males is 84 years and 88 for females.
In 2020/21, account-based income streams were by far the most popular option, and delivered an average annual payment of $19,490[5]. Annuities were only used by about 100,000 retirees, and paid average income of $45,943 annually.
The Federal Reserve's most recent data reveals that the average American has $65,000 in retirement savings. By their retirement age, the average is estimated to be $255,200.
How much super you'll need in retirement depends on the lifestyle you want. According to the government's MoneySmart website, if you own your home, the rule of thumb is that you'll need two-thirds (67%) of your current income each year to maintain the same standard of living.
At $200,000 per year in average returns, this is more than enough for all but the highest spenders to live comfortably. You can collect your returns, pay your capital gains taxes and have plenty left over for a comfortable lifestyle. The bad news about an index fund is the variability.
According to the 4% rule, if you retired with $100,000 in savings, you could withdraw just about $4,000 per year in retirement. It's nearly impossible for anyone to survive on $4,000 per year, but the majority of retirees will also be entitled to Social Security benefits.
The simple answer is yes. You can retire on 10 million dollars. However, there are a few things to consider before making this decision. First, you need to make sure that you have enough saved up to cover your expenses.
The reality is most Australians retire with far less in super. Indeed, the average super balance for Australians aged 60-64 is just over $300,000. That may be enough.
So, how much does one need to retire in comfort? If you're single, you'll need more than $500,000, assuming you own your own home, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Retirement Standard. That figure is worryingly higher than the average super balance.
When you retire you could withdraw your super as a cash payment from your super account. You can open an account-based pension and set-up regular income payments. You can also withdraw smaller cash payments from your super account or account-based pension. The choice is yours.