Will I Have Enough to Retire?

The short answer? It depends.
How much income do you need to live comfortably?
According to the latest figures from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), a couple needs about $73,000 per year to enjoy a comfortable retirement.
💰 How Much Do You Need?
Using the conservative 4% rule, you’d need a super balance of approximately $1.825 million:

$73,000 ÷ 0.04 = $1,825,000

The 4% rule assumes modest returns and aims to preserve capital over time. By contrast, ASFA’s estimates suggest couples need only $690,000, based on drawing down super to nil over retirement.
In my view, most people:

• Prefer to maintain a buffer,
• Want to avoid running out of money, and
• Often wish to leave something to the kids.

A balanced approach—somewhere between ASFA’s minimum and the 4% rule—is usually ideal.
📈 What We See with Our Clients
For clients we’ve worked with over decades, we generally see that:

• Super balances stay relatively steady,
• The income is used, but capital remains intact, and
• This is achieved through well-selected investments generating reliable income and franking credits.

By focusing on income-producing assets, retirees can ride out market volatility without dipping into capital.
🧓 Centrelink-Optimised Strategies
We also explore Centrelink-friendly options like annuities, which can:

• Be 40% exempt from the assets test (e.g., $100,000 invested counts as only $60,000),
• Boost Age Pension eligibility, and
• Provide higher guaranteed income than many standard pension products.

Thinking about retirement?
Let’s build a plan that suits your lifestyle, goals, and peace of mind.
📞 Contact us today at our Sunshine Coast office.