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The Retirement Living Standards (RLS), created by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) and Loughborough University, estimate how much you might need in retirement each year, based on 3 different standards of living – minimum, moderate and comfortable.

According to the latest figures, costs have increased across all 3 levels for the second year in a row, with rises of up to 34%.

This means to enjoy a moderate standard of living in retirement, a single person will now need £31,300 a year, that’s £8,000 more than suggested last year. While a couple living a moderate lifestyle will need an extra £9,100, with an annual income of £43,100.

Slightly smaller increases were suggested in the other lifestyle categories, but still represented a rise of 12% for those wanting even the minimum standard of living when they stop work.

The latest RLS figures are shown below, along with some suggestions on what you can do if you’re worried you won’t be able to afford the lifestyle you want.

Costs are higher in London and can be found in full at retirementlivingstandards.org.uk

Why have the Retirement Living Standards increased?

The RLS are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect rising prices, and the public’s expectations of what retired people will need, not just to survive, but to “live with dignity” in their life after work.

The PLSA say that rising prices of domestic fuel and energy costs are the most significant factor in increasing what is needed this year.

Other factors include the soaring prices of:

• Food and groceries
• Social and cultural participation, such as spending time with family and friends out of the home
• Motoring costs

Using the Retirement Living Standards and reaching your savings goal*

Research has shown that having something to aim for makes it more likely you will reach your goal. You could use the Retirement Living Standards as a general guide to how much you might need when you stop work, and to help you set a savings target for your retirement.

For a more personalised estimate of your retirement costs, you can also use the Retirement Budgeting Calculator tool. It’s based on the RLS, but you can adjust certain figures for a more tailored idea of how much you might need, to pay for the retirement you hope for.

Work out if your pension adds up

To work out whether you’re on track to afford the retirement you hope for, you’ll need to compare your likely spend with the amount of income you’re likely to get.

You can do this using the tools in your myRPS account, such as the Retirement Modeller for Industry-Wide Defined Contribution (IWDC) members, or the Pension Planner for active defined benefit (DB) members. Both will show what your income might be when you stop work.

If the figures don’t match up to what you’re aiming for, don’t worry. There are steps you can take to improve your expected retirement income. This includes:

• Topping up your pension, if you can afford to. This is also known as making Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs), and it’s tax-free up to certain limits. The main arrangement for defined benefit (DB) members is known as BRASS. You can learn more about how it works here.
• Changing your retirement age to delay taking your pension. If you continue working for longer, you’ll have more time to build up your pension benefits. Defined benefit (DB) members can find more information about changing your retirement age here, and Industry-Wide Defined Contribution (IWDC) members can learn about this here.
• Thinking about your broader financial circumstances, by looking at your retirement income in the round, including any other pension arrangements you have. For example, you could think about when you might be able to take your State Pension - you can check your State Pension age (SPA) here. You could also think about whether there are things you can do now, while you’re working to reduce your outgoings.

To help you manage your money, you might try the MoneyFit tool in your myRPS account. It gives you a personal action plan to help you save more money into your pension. MoneyFit is totally anonymous, and free of charge.

If you’re a defined benefit (DB) member, you can find more information to help you make the decision that’s right for your circumstances here. Industry-Wide Defined Contribution (IWDC) members can find this information here.

Get help from a financial expert or adviser

Pensions can be confusing. If you’re thinking about making changes to your pension, or taking your retirement benefits, it’s a good idea to take financial advice. Visit the guidance and advice page for more details. 

*Figures from The Retirement Living Standards (RLS) and Retirement Budgeting Calculator are based on the income you may need after tax. Whereas the Pension Planner and the Retirement Modeller give you an estimate of what your retirement income might be before tax.