1 December 2022
Having to retire unexpectedly can disrupt your retirement plans and leave you feeling anxious. But you may be more prepared for an early retirement than you realise. Find out how to retire early with confidence - even if it's unexpected.
A significant number of Australians retire before they intend to. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the average age people plan to retire is around 65 years old. But the actual average retirement age is closer to 55 years1.
Unexpected circumstances such as redundancy, ill health, being unable to find work, or having to care for a loved one are all reasons retirement can come sooner than planned.
Planning your perfect retirement
The ideal retirement will look different for everyone. For some, it includes a holiday every year or a campervan road trip. For others, it’s volunteering in the community or simply spending more time with the grandchildren. Either way, some planning and goal setting can really help you achieve your perfect retirement.
While having to retire early may take you by surprise, it doesn’t have to mean your retirement plans fly out the window. Here are some things you can do if your retirement comes sooner than expected.
4 actions to take for an unexpected early retirement
1. Review your current financial position
If you had to retire today, how's your superannuation balance looking? Knowing how much money you could have available if you stopped work unexpectedly is a good first step in your planning.
When reviewing your finances, consider your assets, debts and any income sources, such as government assistance. For example:
- your superannuation
- any savings you have
- any debts you may have, such as a credit card or home loan
- income from personal investments such as shares or property
- your eligibility for the Government Age Pension.
LEARN MORE: YOUR AGE PENSION ELIGIBILITY
2. Calculate your living expenses
Once you understand your assets and income sources, it’s a good idea to calculate your living expenses. This helps you estimate how much you’ll need to spend each year in retirement. Retirement expenses can include rent, bills, food and entertainment, holidays, insurance, home or car repairs, and health expenses.
It can be hard to know how much super is enough to last you in retirement, or if your savings will give you the lifestyle you want. Use our super projection calculator to see how much income you could have in retirement. You can also see how adding extra money to your super could increase your balance over time.
TRY THE SUPER PROJECTION CALCULATOR
3. Know when you can access your super
Super usually can’t be accessed until you reach a minimum age, called your preservation age. This is set by the government. Currently, the preservation age is between 55 and 60, depending on when you were born.
Your preservation age
| DATE OF BIRTH | YOUR PRESERVATION AGE |
|---|---|
| Before 1 July 1960 | 55 |
| 1 July 1960 to 30 June 1961 | 56 |
| 1 July 1961 to 30 June 1962 | 57 |
| 1 July 1962 to 30 June 1963 | 58 |
| 1 July 1963 to 30 June 1964 | 59 |
| 1 July 1964 or after | 60 |
READ MORE: QUALIFYING AGE VS PRESERVATION AGE
To access your super you need to have reached preservation age and also:
- have permanently retired, or
- want to transition to retirement while you’re still working, or
- stop working for an employer on or after turning 60, or
- have turned 65 (even if you’re still working).
In some cases, you may be able to access your super early before your preservation age. This could be due to financial hardship, compassionate grounds, or becoming permanently disabled.
4. Explore how to turn your super into a regular income – account based pension
If an early retirement comes unexpectedly and you’ve reached preservation age, you have a few options. These include taking your super as a lump sum or moving it to a specially designed retirement account, such as an account based pension. With an account based pension you can:
- receive regular income payments from your super - similar to receiving a salary or pay from your employer;
- access extra money from your super whenever and for whatever you need; and
- keep your balance invested where it has more time to grow.
Get professional financial advice
Retiring earlier than planned means relying on your super for longer. This may seem daunting, but speaking to a financial adviser can help you understand and feel more confident in your finances. The earlier you start planning, the more control you will have.
For AustralianSuper members, there are several education and advice options available, including free retirement webinars. These provide an insight into planning and managing your finances. We also offer members different types of advice to suit the level of help you’re looking for. This ranges from simple super advice, to putting you in touch with a qualified financial adviser2.
EXPLORE YOUR RETIREMENT ADVICE OPTIONS
Feel confident as you approach retirement
An unexpected early retirement can be stressful and may knock your confidence. Dr Eraj Ghafoori, a behavioural economist at AustralianSuper, says it’s a common belief that if you don’t have enough money by retirement, you’re in trouble. But that’s not necessarily the case.
A study by AustralianSuper and Monash University shows retirement confidence is affected by 4 key factors:
- Financial awareness and skills
- Health and wellbeing
- Social connectedness
- Retirement awareness and planning.
Explore the Retirement Confidence Index to see how Australians feel about retirement, and to get your own retirement confidence score.
References:
- ABS – Retirement and retirement intentions, Australia. Information for the period 2018-2019.
- Personal financial product advice is provided under the Australian Financial Services Licence held by a third party and not by AustralianSuper Pty Ltd. Fees may apply.
This information may be general financial advice which doesn’t take into account your personal objectives, situation or needs. Before making a decision about AustralianSuper, you should think about your financial requirements and refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the TMDs at australiansuper.com/TMD.
AustralianSuper Pty Ltd ABN 94 006 457 987, AFSL 233788, Trustee of AustralianSuper ABN 65 714 394 898.
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