Some retirement statistics

  • More than 35 percent of New Zealanders aged 65 and over bought cheaper cuts of meat to economise in retirement. (Statistics NZ, Survey of Older People, 2000)
  • Others cancelled insurance, postponed dentist visits, put off buying new clothes and bought second hand clothes. (Statistics NZ, Survey of Older People, 2000)
  • Over 10 percent of non-partnered individuals in this age group put up with the cold, or stayed in bed for warmth. (Statistics NZ, Survey of Older People, 2000)
  • Only 40 percent of individuals and 17 percent of couples can maintain their earlier levels of consumption during retirement (NZ Institute of Economic Research, 2004)

Is this how you image spending your ‘golden years'?