Of the almost 3500 adults surveyed in early 2021, researchers found that more than half (55.7 per cent) worried they won’t have enough savings to live comfortably when they stop working.

The study, led by the ANU Centre for Social Research Methods, found that the most worried groups, according to Prof Nicholas Biddle, are females, people who hadn’t finished year 12, and those living outside capital cities.

“Our study shows a large increase since the last time we asked this question in 2015, when only 39.6 per cent of Australians thought they would not have enough money to live comfortably,” he says.

“According to the findings, 38 per cent of Australians think they will have enough savings to live comfortably in retirement – a similar level to 2015 when 39 per cent of people said the same.

“But, we have seen a very large decline in the per cent of people who said they definitely would have enough money – 21.3 per cent in 2015 compared to just 6.1 per cent in 2021.”

At least 70.5 per cent of respondents thought the current age pension of $944.30 per fortnight for a single person with no children isn’t enough. Instead, they supported an average age pension payment of $1115 per fortnight.

Meanwhile, those who were already retired were less worried about having insufficient savings, with more than 71 per cent saying they definitely or probably had enough money to live comfortably for the rest of their retirement.

When it came to the question of unemployment benefits, the survey showed Australians believe the rate of $620.80 per fortnight for a single person with no children, is too low. 

Instead, on average respondents thought a rate of $711 per fortnight was more appropriate.

On superannuation arrangements, the study found that a majority of Australians (55 per cent) think the rate of superannuation payments should be increased from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent by 2025 – a change which is already legislated for. While another 20.8 per cent said the rate should be greater than 12 per cent.

Because of the covid pandemic, the study showed that 17.9 per cent of Australians had to tap into their retirement savings, while 13.3 per cent also accessed their superannuation early.

Asked whether they would use their superannuation for other purposes if they could access their savings early, 47 per cent of people said “yes”.

Of those, 26.9 per cent said they would use it to purchase a home or reduce their mortgage, while 10.2 per cent said they would use their savings to meet current living expenses.

Young Australians aged 18 to 24 years and older Australians aged 55 years and above said they would be less likely to use their superannuation for a home purchase, whereas those born overseas in a non-English speaking country said they would be more likely to.