Retirement is not just about age; it’s about the balance between your savings and the lifestyle you aspire to. The truth is, the earlier you retire, the more you need in your savings pot. For instance, retiring at 55 instead of 65 requires an additional £163,000 to maintain a good standard of living, as found by wealth manager Quilter.
A moderate lifestyle for a single pensioner, which includes yearly holidays and a new car every decade, requires about £23,300 after tax annually. Remember, 25% of your pension savings can be withdrawn tax-free, easing the burden somewhat.
Calculating Your Dream Retirement Budget
Want to retire at 55 with a comfortable lifestyle? You’ll need around £403,000, assuming you live until 86 and your investments grow by 5% annually. This calculation also anticipates you’ll receive half of your income from the full state pension starting at the state retirement age.
However, retiring early means no state pension in the initial years. For instance, retiring at 60 requires you to self-fund your lifestyle for six years, needing £325,000 in personal savings, excluding the state pension.
Delaying retirement to 65 reduces the required savings to £240,000, thanks to the shorter gap before the state pension kicks in. Working until 70 and deferring your state pension can lower the needed savings to £179,000 for the same lifestyle.
Are You on Track? Assessing Your Current Savings
To start, you need to know your current savings status. If you’re employed and earning over £10,000 annually, you’re likely contributing to a workplace pension. Gather all your pension statements, including those from past employers. If you’re struggling to locate old pensions, use the Government’s Pension Tracing Service for assistance.
Don’t overlook your state pension eligibility. Ensure you have enough National Insurance contributions to qualify for the full pension, which requires 35 years of contributions.
Envisioning Your Retirement Lifestyle
Imagine your ideal retirement – frequent dining out, lavish vacations, or engaging in new hobbies? Factor in these aspirations along with regular expenses like groceries and bills. For a moderate lifestyle, a single retiree might need about £23,300 annually, while a comfortable lifestyle would require closer to £37,300.
Boosting Your Pension Pot
For young workers, increasing pension contributions is key. Leveraging tax-free savings and employer contributions can significantly amplify your pension. Older workers nearing retirement can still enhance their savings by investing in better-performing funds or considering a higher risk for potentially greater returns. Watch out for fees and ensure you’re not overpaying.
Deferring your state pension can also increase your eventual payouts. Every year of deferral boosts your pension by approximately 5.8%.
What If You’ve Already Retired?
Even post-retirement, you can enhance your pension until the age of 75, benefiting from tax relief on contributions. However, once you start withdrawing taxable income from your pension, the amount you can contribute and receive tax relief on reduces significantly.