Why do retirees need more comfort than workers?

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia’s (ASFA) latest modelling suggests that a couple who own their home now requires annual income of $73,875 to live comfortably in retirement. The figure for a single person who owns their home is $52,383.

The analysis also shows that the cost of a comfortable retirement increased by 1.6% in the year to March 2025, compared with the inflation rate of 2.4%.

ASFA CEO Mary Delahunty says retirees are starting to benefit from a slowdown in inflation, although she notes that the prices of essentials are still rising.

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About the author

Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.