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Retirement Reinvented: Unlocking Success in Act Two

18/09/2023

Key Takeaways

  • Plan for a secure future: Consider financial security, protecting your health, and paying off mortgages. Align your financial portfolio with your purpose. 
  • Address healthcare and inflation concerns: Be mindful of declining physical health and increasing healthcare expenses. Mitigate the impact of inflation on your savings and plan for the future cost of living. 
  • Embrace active retirement: Pursue fulfilling activities and find purpose to reduce cognitive decline and spend your time meaningfully.

 

 

Planning for retirement has always been a crucial financial goal for individuals, and it remains important across generations. It ranks as the second most important priority for Boomers1 and Gen X, following immediate financial security2. Even Millennials, for whom retirement is still some time away, consider it an important financial objective, after achieving financial security, providing for the family, and generating additional income.

The amount of savings perceived to be required for retirement varies significantly across markets, ranging from USD302,000 in India to USD1.2 million in US, with Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China not far behind.

These anticipated savings needed align with the differing costs of living between Emerging and Developed markets. Markets like Hong Kong and Singapore rank as the most expensive in Mercer’s “Cost of Living City Ranking 2023”,3 while in Emerging markets like Mexico and India are more affordable. Hence, when planning for retirement, it’s essential to consider the desired retirement location.

 

Average savings needed for retirement by market (USD)

*The result is based on survey respondents’ view on how much savings they needed. The values are for reference only. How much is needed will be different for every individual. It’s advised to use professional tools such as a retirement calculator or seek financial planning advice for better assessment of individual retirement plans.

 

1Millenials - age 25 - 39, Gen X - age 40 - 54, Boomers - age 55 - 69.

2HSBC and Bloomberg Media Studios conducted the HSBC Quality of Life Report, 2023 in nine markets globally with a total sample size of 2,250 individuals.

The data for this article is from the ~1,800 respondents in the survey with investible assets of between USD100,000 and USD2 million.

3 https://www.mercer.com/insights/total-rewards/talent-mobility-insights/cost-of-living

Addressing health and inflation concerns for a financially resilient future

The savings needed for retirement go beyond day-to-day costs and are influenced by concerns about declining physical and cognitive health, increasing healthcare expenses, and longer life expectancy.

Hong Kong, which now boasts the longest life expectancy in the world at 85.3 years, and Singapore, which ranks fifth at 84.1 years, show greater anxiety about health in retirement4.

Increasing healthcare costs are a significant concern in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, while people in locations with universal healthcare, like UK, mainland China, and UAE, show less worry. Planning for retirement should also consider protection against healthcare expenses, especially coverage during retirement, and access to care services.

Harnessing purpose and engagement in retirement

At a spontaneous level, retirement still evokes traditional dreams of spending time with family and friends, travelling the world, and a carefree life where one doesn’t have to worry too much about finances. Increasingly retirement no longer marks the end of one’s productive life, but the beginning of another chapter in the book of life. Just over half of working individuals intend to work beyond official retirement, motivated by a commitment to remain healthy, engaged, and financially secure.

The top reason mentioned for planning to work beyond retirement is to stay engaged and active. Staying active can take many forms, including traditional retirement pursuits like spending time with family and friends, travelling or indulging in hobbies. However, people in retirement are looking for a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It’s not about just passing the time, but about maximising the quality of that time. Research suggests that having a sense of purpose reduces the risk of cognitive decline in older individuals and can even delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease6.

While volunteer work and skill-building courses are good options, many look to utilise their years of experience and expertise by continuing to work in their field. It’s important to consider retirement planning beyond finances and also focus on how your time will be spent.

Ensure financial security in retirement with secure income streams

Some of the reasons quoted for working beyond retirement included general financial security, as well as having access to health insurance coverage and paying off mortgages. Access to healthcare is mentioned most in mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and US, while paying off mortgages is mentioned most in UK, followed by Malaysia, US, Singapore and India.

Financial security in retirement requires an objective assessment of how much savings you require, along with consistent monitoring and periodic reassessment of strategies to adapt to evolving circumstances. It’s crucial to not solely rely on dividends and interest, but also explore avenues for generating a steady income that can withstand the impact of inflation. Explore creating additional income streams from rental income, establishing a small business, or investing, so that you can choose to work rather than being compelled to work.

5 steps to a successful Act Two

As you plan for your retirement, it's crucial to have the right guidance and support. Here are some important points to consider:

Retirement planning should consider not only finances, healthcare costs and services, but also what activities and routines will provide meaning, purpose and fulfilment. Plan for the location where you want to retire, considering the cost of living and healthcare access, as well as personal factors like where your family and friends are likely to be and how much you’ll want to travel. Remember to factor in the elements which you are looking forward to – whether it’s holidays, hobbies or home improvement.

You might benefit from getting expert advice to create a personalised retirement plan that fits your needs and goals. You’ll need an objective assessment of the savings needed to achieve your desired lifestyle in retirement – you could use one of the online calculators to make a start. It’s never too early to start your retirement plan – and don’t be afraid to start small. And take an interest - review your retirement plan regularly so it keeps up to date with your plans.

As healthcare expenses rise, explore insurance options tailored for retirees and get guidance on managing healthcare expenses effectively. Ask your employer about options for retirees, as some allow you to continue your healthcare plan after you retire.

Consider specific products and investment strategies which could safeguard your savings from the impact of inflation over time. Look to develop alternate income streams such as rental income to increase financial security.

Concentrate on paying off what debts you can before you retire. Paying off your mortgage through equity release, refinancing or downsizing can be an option. Get professional advice from your bank or financial adviser on strategies best for you.

Hear from our experts

When we plan for our retirement, we face three big uncertainties. There’s the future state of our health, the unknown investment returns on our savings, and the cost of living during our retirement.

Willem Sels, Global Chief Investment Officer, HSBC Global Private Banking and Wealth

So, what can we do?

  • Think about contributing to pension savings as early as possible: if markets go down for a while, there’s a very good chance they might rebound if you have a long-term investment horizon.
  • Systematically contributing every month or quarter could help you grow your pot through the ups and downs in the market. And the tried and tested approach of investing in diversified portfolios (with stocks and bonds) continues to have the best track record if you want to beat inflation.
  • It’s a good idea to ensure that you have adequate healthcare protection.

Remember, with the right guidance and a comprehensive retirement plan, you can confidently step into your 'Act Two'. In the context of finances, time really is money, so the earlier your start, the better. Talk to your HSBC adviser to see how we can help.

 

 For more information about Quality of Life Report, visit internationalservices.hsbc.com/qualityoflife

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