The ASFA retirement standard estimates that couples need to spend about $59,236 per year, while singles will need to spend $43,184.

Both categories increased from the previous quarter. The total budgets for older retirees increased by 0.5 per cent at both the comfortable and modest levels.

While there was a modest rise, ASFA CEO Pauline Vamos said the cost of living had not increased substantially, which is positive for current retirees.

"However, many Australians are still retiring with an inadequate amount of superannuation. In order to achieve a comfortable standard of living in retirement, an individual requires a minimum of around $545,000 and a couple around $645,000,” said Ms Vamos.

According to ASFA, the most significant price rises in the December quarter contributing to the increase in the annual budgets were domestic holiday travel and accommodation up 5.9 per cent, and international holiday travel and accommodation up 2.4 per cent.

The most significant offsetting price falls were automotive fuel down 5.7 per cent, fruit which was down 2.6 per cent and communications down 2.4 per cent.

Written by Miranda Brownlee
Thursday, 25 February 2016
SMSFadviser.com.au