Exact amount you need to retire comfortably – including holidays abroad

A COUPLE hoping to retire and take two holidays in Europe each year will need to save thousands more than they did last year.

The current amount is of £59,000, up from £54,500 last year, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA).

Single retirees must bring in more than half that, with £43,100 a year needed to achieve the same standard of living.

The PLSA regularly looks at how much you'd need to have coming in each year to afford different levels of comfort after you retire.

They count all household bills, groceries and eating out, travel costs and owning a car, holidays, TV subscriptions such as Netflix, clothes, beauty treatments and even money spent on giving birthday presents.

Three retirement lifestyles are covered – minimum, moderate and comfortable – and they help give people an idea of what kind of life they can expect in retirement.

With the soaring cost of living, and in particular, rising food and energy bills, the amount needed for each has shot up.

The PLSA put the annual cost of a moderate retirement income for a single person at £31,300 in 2023/24 up from £23,300 in 2022/23 - and an £8,000 rise.

The triple lock, which is used to uprate the state pension, acts as a crucial safeguard against rising retirement living costs, researchers said.

With a significant 8.5% increase to just over £11,500 per year from April 2024, the state pension remained a substantial foundation of retirement income.

This alongside improved retirement annuity rates, would help median average earners be able to achieve most aspects of the moderate level, the report said.

Sir Steve Webb, a former pensions minister who is now a partner at consultants LCP, said the latest estimates “are a wake-up call to Government and the pensions industry alike”.

He said: "Without urgent action, we are likely to see more and more people facing an unenviable choice between an extended working life or a poor retirement."

How much money do I need to retire?

The PLSA updates their Retirement Living Standards each year, to take account of the rising cost of living.

They're designed to help savers work out how much cash they’ll need when they stop working.

They don't count mortgage payments or rent or any financial support you give your children or other dependents.

If you think you'll still have those costs to meet when you retire, you'll need to up your savings considerably.

The 'minimum' retirement

The PLSA's minimum retirement living standard covers all of a retiree’s basic needs as well as having some money left over for fun.

It includes a week’s staycation each year, eating out once a month, and some affordable leisure activities twice a week - but no car.

The PLSA says to afford this retirement you would need an annual budget of £14,400 as a single person, and £22,400 as a couple. 

That might sound intimidating but it’s important to remember that the state pension will make up part of that income. 

Retirees can start to claim the state pension at 66, though if you're retiring after 2026 you'll almost definitely see that minimum age rise.

The government honoured its promise to boost the state pension in line with last July's wages figure from April.

Those claiming the full flat rate state pension now receive £221.20 a week, equal to £11, 501 a year.

Not everyone qualifies for the full amount.

If you have any gaps in your career, you may have paid less national insurance and would receive a smaller state pension to reflect that.

You can top up your national insurance contributions though.

The 'moderate' retirement

For a slightly more extravagant retirement, an individual will need an income of £31,300 a year, or £43,100 for a couple.

The moderate retirement living standard includes a two-week holiday in Europe each year and eating out a few times a month. 

Around half of single employees are estimated to be on track to achieve a minimum or moderate retirement, with couples more likely to be at the top end of this range.

The 'comfortable' retirement

To live comfortably in retirement, the PLSA said an individual would need an income of £43,100 a year, and a couple would need £59,000 between them. 

This includes a three-week holiday, plenty of money to spend on clothing and more money to spend on social activities such as birthdays. 

How much do you need to save?

Even to live at the minimum standard, you'll need to save extra into your pension.

Alice Guy, head of pension and savings at Interactive Investor, said: "The sad reality is that many people aren’t saving enough for a comfortable or even a moderate level of retirement.

"Those on a low income or saving the minimum amounts into their pension, will struggle to achieve enough for a moderate retirement.

"Single people also need more than couples to achieve the same standard of living in retirement, as couples are able to share many of their bills.

Alice continued to say that it’s important to keep an eye on your pension savings to see if you’re on track for the retirement you want.

The state pension is nearly £3,000 less than you need a year, so topping up your contributions to your workplace scheme is a good idea.