Canadians cut their Retirement Savings Goal
by more than $200,000: RBC Poll
TORONTO, February 6, 2013 — Almost
half (46 per cent) of retired Canadians and only one-in-four
(23 per cent) Canadians who are not yet retired have determined
the amount of money they will need for a comfortable retirement,
according to the 23rd
Annual RBC RRSP Poll. Those who are not yet retired have
significantly reduced their retirement
savings goal by more than $200,000 to an average of $564,000
in 2012 from $778,000 in 2011. Prior to retirement, retirees
estimated that they would only need an average of $347,000.
The gender gap has significantly narrowed between men's and
women's retirement savings goals, from a difference of $280,000
in 2011 down to $86,000 in 2012. Men had an average retirement
goal of $732,000 in 2011, which fell 42 per cent to $424,000
in 2012, while women had an average retirement goal of $452,000
in 2011, which increased 13 per cent to $510,000 in 2012.
"When looking at your percentage of pre-retirement income
needed in retirement, some say 75 per cent, some say 85 per
cent and some even say 110 per cent - we say everyone is different,"
said Jason Round, head, Financial Planning Support, RBC Financial
Planning. "While it's important to have a retirement
savings goal, there isn't one number that's right for everyone.
Your goals and dreams for retirement deserve a plan that's
personalized to you and takes into account many other relevant
factors."
The RBC poll also found that Canadians have had a relatively
consistent view of how they are doing with their retirement
savings
over the past four years. More than half of Canadians (53
per cent in 2012) say they are at or ahead of where they should
be in terms of retirement savings.
Round notes that using a rule of thumb approach in planning
can be useful in getting started when retirement is many years
away but, as retirement nears, averages are less helpful.
There comes a point when you need to dig a little deeper and
create a plan for you based on you and the reality you will
face in retirement. For example, consider the following factors
that will shape your retirement:
Longevity: Canada's aging population is a reality.
According to Statistics Canada, Canadians aged 65 in 2012
can expect to spend more than 20 years in retirement. The
average male retirement expectancy is 18 or more years; for
women it is 21 plus years. Retirement is not a single phase
of your life but a series of stages and living longer does
not necessarily mean living the same. How will your time horizon
impact your retirement savings?
Health: Your personal health can affect your enjoyment
of your retirement years as well as your income. Almost one
third (30 per cent) of retirees say the cost of healthcare
is among the top concerns in retirement. Do you have health
concerns? Have you planned to ensure healthy aging? Have you
considered the costs associated with potential or real health
concerns?
Inflation: One-third of retired Canadians (32 per
cent) state that inflation and the effect it might have on
their retirement finances is among top concerns. What measures
have you taken to manage inflation? How will you maintain
a sustainable level of income in retirement amidst unforeseeable
circumstances?
Work: Among the Canadian working population, 42.4
per cent are between the ages of 45 and 64, a record high
proportion, according to Census Canada 2011. Canadians are
increasingly choosing to continue to work or return to work
after retirement. The RBC Poll found 27 per cent of Canadians
say they will never retire and 23 per cent plan to open a
business in retirement. Have you considered whether you would
choose to fully retire or return to work during retirement?
"Planning for retirement is so much more than just a
magic number and this is where financial advice can ensure
all aspects of retirement are explored to ensure you have
the retirement you want," added Round.
About RBC's financial planning
advice, resources and interactive tools
The RBC Advice Centre offers free online advice, resources
and tools regarding retirement
and estate planning including RRSPs,
the RSP-Matic®
Savings Calculator and updates on the federal government’s
RRSP First
Time Home Buyers' Plan. In addition, RBC’s myFinanceTracker,
a comprehensive online financial management tool, offers all
personal RBC online
banking clients the ability, at no cost, to create a set
budget and track their spending habits and to access H&R
Block tax-related apps in the new myTax
Centre, to help manage and plan their taxes.
About the 23rd Annual RBC RRSP Poll
The 23rd Annual RBC RRSP poll was conducted by Ipsos Reid
between October 24 and November 27, 2012 via a random sample
of 1,225 Canadian adults in the general population (aged 18
and over). The results are based on samples where quota sampling
and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure
that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual
population according to Census data. Quota samples with weighting
from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended
to approximate a probability sample. A weighted probability
sample of 1,225 Canadian respondents, with 100 per cent response
rate, would have an estimated margin of error of ±3
per cent, 19 times out of 20.
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Media contacts:
Suzanne Willers, RBC, 416 974-2727
Kate Yurincich, RBC, 416 974-1031
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