About 36% of homeowners still have a mortgage when they retire, up from 23% a decade ago.

This increase in mortgage debt is due to soaring property prices, changes in retirement ages and easy access to drawdown equity loans (where you use your home as security to get a loan, which can be used to fund travel, medical costs and other expenses)

As we advance into the 21st century, the concept of aging is undergoing a transformation, largely thanks to a new generation of “oldies” who don’t feel old - and are reframing what it means to be getting on in years.

Traditionally, aging has been associated with decline, frailty, and a sense of irrelevance.

Deciding when to retire is a big decision and even more difficult if you are concerned about your retirement income.

The average age of Australia’s 4.2 million retirees is 56.9 years but many people leave it a little later to finish work with most intending to retire at just over 65 years.ⁱ

As parents, the instinct to support our children never truly fades, even when they become adults but when you are looking at giving them a financial helping hand there is a bit to consider.

It’s important to ensure any support you provide is not at the expense of your financial future. It can also be tricky knowing what form your support should take, in order to maximise the benefits for your kids.

There is no debate that Australians love investing in property. The value of Australian residential real estate at the end of August 2024 was an estimated $10.95 trillion.ⁱ

Some love it so much that they believe property is a better option for providing a retirement income.

The retirement living sector is growing rapidly in Australia as the population ages and demand increases for a spot in a retirement village.

For many people, the idea of having someone on site to help with property and garden maintenance is enough for them to make what can be a major change later in life.

Most people intend to retire between ages 65 and 66, according to the latest data and, surprisingly, despite growing superannuation balances, the Age Pension is the main source of income for many retirees.ⁱ

Retirement is filled with opportunities and choices. There’s the time to travel more, work on long-delayed personal projects or volunteer your help to worthwhile causes.

You also have a host of choices to make when it comes to funding your new life away from paid work. Here are four different options to consider.ⁱ

Many Australians expect an inheritance, but their parents may have a different view.

Around one in two Australians have received or expect to inherit money or property, either from their parents or others.

That’s one of the key findings from Vanguard’s 2024 How Australia Retires research, but it shouldn’t come as a great surprise.

Australia has become an increasingly expensive place to live, making the idea of retiring in a low-cost, overseas location more appealing.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons and what you need to consider before making the move.

If you’re nearing retirement age, it’s likely you’re wondering if you will have enough saved to give up work and take it easy, particularly as cost-of-living increases hit some of the basic expenses such as energy, insurance, food and health costs.

How much tax you pay on retirement income depends on your age and the type of income stream.

For most people, an income stream from superannuation will be tax-free from age 60.

If you’ve had an irregular or interrupted income in the past, you might’ve missed out on opportunities to contribute to super. If you don’t fully utilise your concessional cap, and you’re eligible, you may be able to make ‘catch up’ on concessional contributions.

Employers are desperate for workers and cost of living pressures are making it tough to live on a pension. That’s a perfect mix of conditions to send some retirees back to work. But it’s smart to get good advice before you take the leap.

Preparing to retire is emotional and practical. Making a retirement plan can help you manage your finances, and cope better as your life and priorities change.

Your retirement plan can be simple or detailed.

Retirement, for many, signifies the culmination of decades of hard work and the well-deserved opportunity to enjoy life on one's own terms.

It's a phase where the idea of flexibility takes centre stage, providing individuals with the freedom to dictate their daily schedule, engage in activities they love, and spend quality time with people they love.

The long-term returns of asset classes are a reference point for future retirees.

Vanguard’s inaugural How Australia Retires study, released in May 2023, found that people with the highest confidence about their future retirement tend to take the most purposeful action to prepare.

More working-age Australians intend to take a career break at some point. We've calculated the potential impact of doing so on retirement superannuation balances.

Extended career breaks were once a rarity for most Australian workers but these days they are more common.