16/10/2026
Generation Mortgage: Why younger Australians face a very different retirement
For younger Australians, retirement may look quite different from it did for previous generations. Higher housing costs and ongoing mortgage repayments could shape when people retire and how much income they’ll need.
Vanguard’s How Australia Retires 2026 research found:
• 48% of surveyed Gen Z and 37% of Millennials expect to still have a mortgage in retirement.
• Most working-age Australians expect to retire at 66 or 67, compared with an average retirement age of 63 reported by those already retired.
• Australians under 45 estimate they’ll need more than $90,000 a year in retirement, compared with around $60,000 reported by Australians aged 65 and over.
• 45% of working-age Australians say they don’t have a retirement plan.
A plan doesn’t need to be complicated. Start by thinking about when you’d like to retire, where you want to live, whether you may still have a mortgage and what kind of lifestyle you hope to enjoy.
Small steps, taken early and reviewed regularly, can help you understand your options. Contact our team if you’d like to discuss your retirement goals. Any financial strategy should be considered in light of your personal circumstances.
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