24 March 2023
- Inflation means pensioners need 11% more income
- 75% don’t think they have enough in their pension pots to retire
- Over 70% have not taken financial advice
Over the last year we have seen the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis deepen and raging inflation. RBC Brewin Dolphin has created a pension barometer to analyse how much we need in our pension pots to retire and how much people should be saving to achieve a comfortable retirement, and how much it has changed.
According to wealth manager RBC Brewin Dolphin, in March 2022, a 67-year-old retiree with a full state pension, needed a pension pot of just over £540,0001 to provide them with a comfortable retirement income. This March they need a pot of £630,0001.
With inflation so high, it’s not surprising that the cost of a ‘comfortable’ annual retirement income has risen 11% from £33,600 to £37,3002.
Carla Morris financial planner at RBC Brewin Dolphin warned, “For those approaching retirement they need to be aware that if their pension saving remains at 2022 levels they could run out of money earlier if they maintain a 2023 level of income of £37,300, due to the increase in inflation. In this example, the £540,000 pot could run out 7 years earlier. It can be overwhelming trying to save adequately for retirement but starting as early as possible really helps, investing for the long term gives your money the greatest chance of growing in value.
How do you build this pension fund?
Carla said, “Retirement might seem a long way off but starting to save earlier means you will benefit from compounding returns; earning returns on your returns.”
A 40-year-old with a pension pot of £120,0003 today would need to put approximately £9804 per month into their pension to retire with a £630,000 pot if we assume a 4% growth and 2% inflation. However, if we assume a 5% growth after charges, in the RBC Brewin Dolphin balanced portfolio you would need to put approximately £720 per month; which shows the power of compounded long-term returns.
A 50-year-old with a pension pot of £180,0005 would need to put approximately £1,5004 per month into their pension to retire with a pot of £630,000 if we assume a 4% growth and 2% inflation. However, if we assume a 5% growth after charges, in the RBC Brewin Dolphin balanced portfolio you would need to put approximately £1,200 per month.
How do I work out how much I need for my comfortable retirement?
Carla said, “What constitutes a comfortable retirement is highly subjective. For some an annual income of £37,300 will be plenty, but for others it won’t cover all their expenses. Only by running through your expenditure and lifestyle goals will you be able to get a clear picture. This is where a financial advisor can work with you to decipher what comfortable means for you.”
What do UK pension savers think?
RBC Brewin Dolphin surveyed63,000 Britons about their retirement and found that:
- 75% don’t think they have enough in their pension pots to retire.
- Over 70% have not taken financial advice.
- On average people think they need £507,000 in their pensions to retire and think they need an annual income of £36,300 to enjoy a comfortable retirement, which is in-line with the PSLA data.
- Those with household incomes of over £150,000 think they need a pension pot of £680,000 on average for a comfortable retirement and £55,000 annual income.
- Two-thirds (66%) of these high earners don’t think they have enough saved.
Carla Morris said: “Worryingly 75% of people don’t think they have enough in their pension pot to retire and two-thirds of high-earning households feel this way. Whilst lots of people might feel like their pension saving is not on track, there is still time and it’s worth bearing in mind that income in retirement can come from other sources, not just your pension. So, if your pension pot is not as big as it needs to be, you might be able to supplement your income with other savings and investments including any cash savings, ISAs or property for example.”
“Our findings indicate that only half of the UK has reviewed their pension in the last year and over 44% of over those in the crucial years (aged 45 to 54) haven’t, so you may believe your pension is on track but sometimes even the best laid plans can hit a bump in the road. Regularly reviewing your pensions and investments, as well as the income that can be taken from them in retirement is essential as the earlier you can make changes the more manageable they are likely to have to be.”
Annuities are back on the table
Annuities experienced a revival in the autumn of last year with recent record rates seen in November.7Today you would need a fund of approximately £643,0008 to buy you an annuity providing you with a ‘comfortable’ income of £26,700 (£37,300 minus the £10,600 state pension).
Carla Morris said, “Annuity rates did increase last year so it may be that for some people, using part of your pension pot to purchase an annuity, which gives you a guaranteed income for life, is a good idea. Knowing a large portion of your bills will be covered can give you some comfort, whilst retaining an invested element to help meet further expenses. Although passing down pension pots is now a popular choice, it is important to ensure that your income needs are met first.”
Carla concluded, “The combination of stock market volatility and rising inflation makes this a particularly challenging time for those coming up to retirement. The only way to truly understand the impact of market downturns and inflation on your retirement plans is to get some smart advice to navigate your way to a comfortable retirement.”
- 1Pension pot calculated using RBC Brewin Dolphin portfolio risk category 6, with an average return of 5%, after charges, over 33 years.
- 2Net income according to the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA)
- 3The average pension pot for those aged 35-44 is £129,000 according to the Find Out Now survey.
- 4Based on gross personal contributions.
- 5The average pension pot for those aged 45-54 is £190,000 according to the Find Out Now survey.
- 6Find Out Now surveyed GB adults from 25/01/2023 to 26/01/2023. The sample consists of more than 3,000 respondents with more than £50,000 annual household income. Find Out Now is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council.
- 7 https://www.moneyfactsgroup.co.uk/media-centre/consumer/annuity-income-returns-growth-during-2022/
- 8Based on an open market annuity quote from Iress for a 67 year old, increasing 3% each year, to allow for inflation, quote at March 2023.
-ENDS-
Disclaimers
The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested., This does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. Neither simulated nor actual past performance are reliable indicators of future performance. Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy. Information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness., Forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance. RBC Brewin Dolphin is a trading name of Brewin Dolphin Limited. Brewin Dolphin Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register reference number 124444).
PRESS INFORMATION
For further information, please contact:
Richard Janes richard.janes@brewin.co.uk / Tel: +44 (0) 20 3201 3343
Siân Robertson: Sian.Robertson@brewin.co.uk / Tel: +44 (0) 20 3201 3026
Chloe McFarlane: chloe.mcfarlane@brewin.co.uk / Tel: +44 020 3201 3490
Payal Nair payal.nair@brewin.co.uk / Tel: +44 (0) 20 3201 3342
NOTES TO EDITORS
About RBC Brewin Dolphin
RBC Brewin Dolphin is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading wealth managers and traces its origins back to 1762. With £51.7* billion in assets under management, we offer award-winning, personalised wealth management services from bespoke, discretionary investment management to retirement planning and tax-efficient investing.
Our qualified investment managers and financial planners are based in 33 offices across the UK, Jersey and Republic of Ireland. They are committed to the most exacting standards of client service, with long-term thinking and absolute focus on our clients’ needs at the core.
As part of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), we are now able to draw on the strength of a global financial institution to continue to improve the service we provide to our clients and drive further innovation across our business.
*as at 30th June 2022.
Disclaimers
The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. RBC Brewin Dolphin is a trading name of Brewin Dolphin Limited. Brewin Dolphin Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register reference number 124444).