Many retirement planning tools not accurate in life expectancy

8 April 2021
| By Jassmyn |
image
image
expand image

Optimum Pensions has called on retirement professionals to check their life expectancy calculation methods are fit for purpose.

It said many retirement planning tools might not always reflect best practice when it came to determining and allowing for life expectancy.

“If the lens we view retirement through is inaccurate then incorrect conclusions will be drawn about retirement strategies and decisions. Retirees should not be paying the price,” it said.

Optimum Pensions noted many tools reflected outdated and inappropriate life expectancy statistics.

The firm said it had launched its new Lifespan Calculator which was based on the latest Australian Life Tables but also incorporated health data from a large reinsurer of longevity risk.

The tool did not show averages but results could be personalised by considering health and lifestyle factors. It also included both spouses in a couple and let each user focus on how confident they wished to be that their retirement planning timeframe could cover both their potential lifespans.

Optimum Pensions head of innovation, Jim Hennington, said: “This can add 10 years to the results that a less-accurate life expectancy calculator provides”.

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Recommended for you

sidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

3 months 4 weeks ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

4 months ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

4 months ago

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia has appointed a new director representing industry funds, among a number of other appointments in recent months....

4 hours ago

The asset manager is bolstering its investments in the global energy transition and climate opportunities....

2 days 17 hours hence

The ethical investment manager has reported record FUM as its growth trajectory continues apace....

1 day 4 hours ago

TOP PERFORMING FUNDS

ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND