Financial wellbeing is defined as when you are able to meet expenses and have some money left over, are in control of your finances, and feeling financially secure, now and in the future.
Some of the main factors that can influence your financial wellbeing are as follows:
1. financial capability (your financial knowledge, attitudes, decisions, and behaviours),
2. financial inclusion (your access to appropriate and affordable financial services and products),
3. social capital (your social network that can provide support in times of financial stress),
4. economic resources (your savings, investments, insurances, emergency funds, cashflow and debt management, and income).
In light of the above, financial wellbeing is pertinent, regardless of whether you are working or in retirement.
When it comes to maintaining your financial wellbeing in retirement, it’s important to understand that a certain shift in economic resources often occurs, as you enter this phase of your financial lifecycle.
Namely, a shift from employment income to income derived from a combination of your retirement savings (investments inside and/or outside of super) and any Age Pension entitlements.
Coupled with this comes certain interconnected risks that are specific to retirement, for example:
Importantly, strategies are often employed to manage these risks, pre and post-retirement, for example:
However, some risks are harder to manage than others, and in certain circumstances necessitate the intervention by an external party, such as the Government.
For example, in recognition of the impact of the global financial crisis (GFC) on shares (see below table), the Government decided to reduce the minimum payment requirements for certain retirement income streams.
Annual Returns For Asset Classes*^ (Financial Year, Ending 30th of June) |
|||||||
|
Time |
||||||
Asset Class |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
Australian Shares |
30.3% |
-12.1% |
-22.1% |
13.8% |
12.2% |
-7.0% |
20.7% |
US Shares (S&P500) |
5.6% |
-23.4% |
-12.5% |
8.9% |
3.7% |
11.1% |
32.5% |
International Shares |
7.8% |
-21.3% |
-16.2% |
2.7% |
-0.5% |
33.1% |
20.4% |
*Vanguard Asset Class Tool. Data from Andex Charts Pty Ltd.
^Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
The minimum payment requirements were reduced by:
More recently, in recognition of the impact of the current low interest rate environment on cash and fixed interest (see below table), the Government has decided to reduce the deeming rates for the Age Pension.
Annual Returns For Asset Classes*^ (Financial Year, Ending 30th of June) |
|||||||
|
Time |
||||||
Asset Class |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Australian Bonds |
12.4% |
2.8% |
6.1% |
5.6% |
7.0% |
0.2% |
3.1% |
Australian Cash |
4.7% |
3.3% |
2.7% |
2.6% |
2.2% |
1.8% |
1.8% |
*Vanguard Asset Class Tool. Data from Andex Charts Pty Ltd.
^Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
#Although, not inclusive of the recent interest rate cuts, somewhat of a downwards trend can still be seen.
From 1 July 2019, the deeming rates have been reduced by:
Please note: This affects other income-tested payments, such as the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment, and income support allowances and supplements, such as the Parenting Payment and Newstart.
For context, the Age Pension is a ‘retirement lifestyle safety net’, and it’s received (in part or full^) by those of us that satisfy the relevant age, residency, and income and assets eligibility tests.
The maximum total pension rate (including Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement) differs according to whether you are single (currently $926.20 per fortnight) or a member of a couple (currently $698.10 per fortnight each). However, if a couple is separated due to illness, they are each entitled to the single rate.
Importantly, the rate of payment is calculated under both the income test and the assets test, with the test that results in the lower rate (or nil rate) being applied.
With the income test (see below table), some financial assets are deemed to earn income (regardless of the amount of income they actually earn), for example, savings accounts and term deposits, managed investments and listed shares, and some income streams.
Income Test* (1 July–19 September 2019) |
||
Family Situation |
Homeowners and Non-homeowners |
|
For full pension (per fortnight)^ |
For part pension (per fortnight)# |
|
Single |
Up to $174 |
Less than $2,026.40 |
Couple (combined) |
Up to $308 |
Less than $3,100.40 |
Illness separated (couple combined) |
Up to $308 |
Less than $4,012.80 |
*Some assets are deemed to earn income, whilst there are special rules for other types of income. Furthermore, the Work Bonus may be applicable if you are age pension age and are earning income from employment.
^Income over these amounts reduces the rate of pension payable by 50 cents in the dollar (single), 25 cents in the dollar each (for couples).
#These amounts may be higher if Rent Assistance is paid with your pension.
Importantly, if financial assets earn a return higher than the deeming rates, then the extra amount is not assessed as income. However, this is not the issue at hand.
As background, in comparison to your accumulation years, you may often find that in your retirement years your retirement savings may be invested with a higher allocation towards income-generating assets.
This is to not only help manage some of the retirement-specific risks listed above, but also help facilitate the provision of income to fund your retirement lifestyle.
Now, when considering the current low interest rate environment, these income-generating assets, such as cash and fixed interest, are earning a return lower than the deeming rates.
For some, this has meant that they have had to make the decision, regarding their retirement savings, to:
These can be difficult decisions, especially when they can compromise, for example, their retirement lifestyle expectations, retirement savings longevity, and investment risk profile preferences, now and into the future.
Hence the decision by the Government to reduce the deeming rates. The Minister for Families and Social Services stated this will, “benefit about 630,000 age pensioners and almost 350,000 people receiving other payments…up to $40.50 a fortnight for couples, $1053 a year, and $31 a fortnight for singles, $804 a year.”
Moving forward, whether these changes affect you will depend on your personal circumstances, for example, whether the income or assets test determines your Age Pension entitlement.
If you have any questions regarding this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.