Financial Guidance Boosting Retirement Security

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The report, anchored in the noteworthy findings from the Challenger Retirement Happiness Index, indicates that Australians who haven't benefitted from professional financial guidance are 39% more likely to feel the pinch of living expenses than the 25% who have been counselled financially.

Insights into the behavior of Australians entering or navigating retirement underscored a common thread - the acknowledgment of the link between financial awareness and contentment. Here's what the research delineated:

• Close to half of Australians over 60 have consulted a financial adviser at some point.
• Seventeen percent are actively seeking advice, while approximately one-third have done so in the past.
• Individuals who proceed without counsel are 40%, significantly more prone than the 26% who've been advised, to believe that rising living costs will undermine their retirement savings.
• The demographic split reveals married individuals over 60 engaging more with professional advisory services (20%) in comparison to singles (12%).

Delving into the geographic spread of financial consultancy, disparities emerge among residents of different states:

1. Residents of NSW, Victoria, and South Australia surpass their neighbours in Western Australia in financial advice seeking - with 19%, 17%, and 27% respectively, engaging advisors, in stark contrast to WA's 8%.
2. Moreover, Queenslanders and Western Australians are more inclined towards financial self-sufficiency or non-engagement, with 29% and 31% respectively, neither having sought nor planning to seek financial advice, compared with Victoria's mere 19%.

A convening of over 1000 Australians over the age of 60 allowed Challenger, in collaboration with the independent research entity YouGov, to unravel the factors influencing retirement satisfaction.

Mandy Mannix, Challenger's Customer Experience Chief Executive, reacted to these findings by drawing attention to a poignant fact - almost half of the survey participants desired greater budgetary safekeeping. This sentiment resonates with the industry's commitment to elevating retirees' later years through enhanced happiness and security.

Published:Monday, 8th Apr 2024
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

Reserve Bank of Australia Increases Cash Rate to 3.85%

21 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the official cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.85%, marking the first increase in two years. This decision comes in response to rising inflation and aims to curb escalating consumer prices. - read more

Rate Money Introduces Competitive Rate Adjustments Amid Industry Increases

21 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a move that sets it apart from major lenders, non-bank lender Rate Money has announced a modest increase in its variable interest rates by only 15 to 20 basis points on select loan products. This decision comes as many financial institutions implement the full 25 basis point hike following the RBA's recent cash rate increase. - read more

Australian Personal Loan Borrowing Reaches Record Levels

21 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent data reveals that Australians borrowed approximately $9.3 billion in fixed-term personal loans during the September quarter of 2025, marking a significant increase in personal loan borrowing. The average new personal loan amount stood at $22,643, reflecting a growing reliance on personal loans for various financial needs. - read more

RBA's February 2026 Cash Rate Hike: What It Means for You

21 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has raised the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85% during its February 2026 meeting. This decision comes in response to a resurgence in inflation during the latter half of 2025, with the RBA noting that price pressures have intensified and are expected to remain above target for some time. - read more

ASIC's Landmark Penalty Highlights Importance of Cybersecurity in Financial Services

21 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has imposed a $2.5 million penalty on an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensee for significant cybersecurity failures between March 2019 and June 2023. This marks the first instance where the Federal Court has levied civil penalties for such breaches under the general AFS licensee obligations. - read more

Click for more Finance News