RIP retirement: 4.2 million Aussies fear they’ll never clock off
Key takeaways
- Almost 1 in 5 Australians say they'll never have enough money to retire.
- 16% think they'll have enough to enjoy retirement with almost no financial limitations.
- Tips to plan for a more financially secure future.
Millions of Australians fear they'll never be able to afford to retire, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 757 employed Australians revealed almost 1 in 5 (17%) believe they will never have enough money to retire.
A further 12% expect they'll need to keep working part-time later than planned just to make ends meet.
That's 4.2 million Aussie employees who don't believe they'll be able to stop working when they want to.
Richard Whitten, money expert at Finder, said many worry their super balance is not enough to fund a comfortable retirement.
"A significant number of Australians are expecting retirement to be about getting by, not living well.
"Instead of picturing years of freedom after decades of work, many are bracing for a longer working life or resetting expectations of what retirement will look like."
Finder's research shows almost 1 in 4 (24%) believe their superannuation will provide just enough to cover the bare necessities.
Meanwhile, 1 in 3 (32%) expect they'll be able to travel occasionally but will still need to watch every dollar.
Whitten said the choices people make well before they retire can shape the lifestyle they end up with.
"Retirement might feel like a long way off, but the sooner you start paying attention to your super, the more room you have to build your balance before you need it.
"Simple steps like comparing super funds, consolidating multiple accounts, reviewing your investment option and making extra contributions can add tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to your balance by the time you retire."
Whitten said Australians shouldn't assume their current super balance will automatically deliver the retirement they want.
"Rising living costs only make retirement more expensive. Australians can't afford to neglect their super while they're working.
"Retirement isn't only about leaving the workforce, it's about having the freedom to spend time with the people you love, travel, chase your interests and enjoy what you've worked hard to build.
"Taking a few minutes each year to review your super could mean the difference between simply surviving and genuinely enjoying your retirement."
Just 16% believe they'll have enough super to travel the world and enjoy retirement with few financial limitations.
What type of retirement do you think your superannuation will afford you?
| I will never be able to afford to retire | 17% |
| One where I will have to keep working part-time later than I planned | 12% |
| One where I have just enough to live | 24% |
| One where I am able to travel if I want to, but have to be careful | 32% |
| One where I could travel the world if I wanted to and have almost no limitations | 16% |
| Source: Finder survey of 757 employed Australians, July 2026 |  |
Credits
- PR & Insights research team: Taylor Blackburn, Kate Boddington, Natascha Kwiet-Evans, William Capada
- Survey operation: Qualtrics
Sources
Ask a question