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The silver tsunami: an enquiry into the financial needs, preferences and behaviours of retirees

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  • Barbara Chambers
  • Ruth Walker
  • Jun Feng
  • Yuanyuan Gu

Abstract

Understanding the financial needs and preferences of retirees is critical for retirement income policy and product design. Today, Australian retirees are accumulating record levels of retirement savings in order to generate retirement income. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, we find that retirees value leisure spending, but do not plan for long‐term health and care needs. Moreover, retirees value risk protection but are unwilling to forgo potential investment gains. The differing levels of importance that retirees attach to aspects of retirement, health, intergenerational planning and family dynamics suggest that retirement income products cannot be ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Chambers & Ruth Walker & Jun Feng & Yuanyuan Gu, 2021. "The silver tsunami: an enquiry into the financial needs, preferences and behaviours of retirees," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(1), pages 645-687, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:61:y:2021:i:1:p:645-687
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12589
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