Many retirement planning tools not accurate in life expectancy

8 April 2021
| By Jassmyn |
image
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Optimum Pensions noted many tools reflected outdated and inappropriate life expectancy statistics.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

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar 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. ...

1 year 8 months ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

1 year 8 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 ...

1 year 8 months ago

Super funds are strengthening systems and modelling member benefits ahead of payday super....

20 hours ago

The responsible investment body has emphasised the importance of clear communication as ART takes a substantial shareholding in Tabcorp....

21 hours ago

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has approved real-time payments for superannuation, removing a major hurdle ahead of payday super reforms....

21 hours ago

TOP PERFORMING FUNDS

ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND
Fund name
3y(%)pa
1
DomaCom DFS Mortgage
74.26 3 y p.a(%)
3