Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Including Financial Independence and Retiring Early (FIRE)
OhNoNotimAgain
Lemon Slice
Posts: 726
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 11:51 am

Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by OhNoNotimAgain »


88V8
Lemon Quarter
Posts: 4630
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 11:22 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by 88V8 »

A few things... office clothes, if there is still such a thing... commuting... but on the whole it's true.

If anything I'd say ours has risen, more hobbies.
And during winter, more heating, which would have been trivial a few years ago but less so now.

V8

Dod101
The full Lemon
Posts: 15021
Joined: October 10th, 2017, 11:33 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Dod101 »

88V8 wrote:A few things... office clothes, if there is still such a thing... commuting... but on the whole it's true.

If anything I'd say ours has risen, more hobbies.
And during winter, more heating, which would have been trivial a few years ago but less so now.

V8
I think the difference is that we have a choice when retired. I probably dress better or at least more expensively in retirement than when working. There is no commuting costs and hobbies are entirely optional. My hobbies I think are probably eating out and my garden, either of which can be expensive or not as you choose. But I certainly spend a lot more that £245 per week.

Dod

tjh290633
Lemon Half
Posts: 7675
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 11:20 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by tjh290633 »

Perhaps spending does not decline, but deductions from your income certainly may. I include the following:

Mortgage paid up.
Less income tax (higher personal allowance).
No NICs to pay.
No further pension contributions.

Individual circumstances may vary, but those are indisputable.

TJH

pyad
Lemon Slice
Posts: 430
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 10:17 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by pyad »

I can dispute one of those items. There is no longer any age related higher personal tax allowance. It was withdrawn some years ago.

BullDog
Lemon Quarter
Posts: 1665
Joined: November 18th, 2021, 11:57 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by BullDog »

When I look at my 92 year old father it's very clear indeed that spending in retirement is not a straight line.

If I were to live as long as he has, I anticipate far higher spending in the next maybe 10 years since I like business class travel and expensive hotels. That would put me in my mid 70's. By then my long haul travel ability and perhaps inclination will be tapering off and my long trips around the world might well have finished. Perhaps replaced by shorter trips. If I am lucky enough to still be around by my mid 80's I would anticipate being in a similar situation that my father is in today. He has far more monthly income than he knows what to do with.

I anticipate all things being good, I will be in the same boat. So for me, it's very clear indeed that in my case spending in earlier retirement will be far more expensive and reduce significantly as time passes.

JohnB
Lemon Quarter
Posts: 2339
Joined: January 15th, 2017, 9:20 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by JohnB »

* Pension withdrawals taxed at a lower rate because of the tax free sums

* living off capital has no taxation provided you are wise handing capital gains

* extra non-means tested benefits like winter fuel allowance or bus passes boost income and reduce spending

* pensioner discounts on tourist attractions, rail travel etc

all reduce spending, but can be overwhelmed by the big problem of having to pay people to do things you used to do yourself, whether than be gardening or personal care.

monabri
Lemon Half
Posts: 7482
Joined: January 7th, 2017, 9:56 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by monabri »

pyad wrote:I can dispute one of those items. There is no longer any age related higher personal tax allowance. It was withdrawn some years ago.
I'm retired but still paying voluntary Class 3 NI... so that's two undisputable things that are disputed.

dealtn
Lemon Half
Posts: 5676
Joined: November 21st, 2016, 4:26 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by dealtn »

I think most are are confusing different things.

This doesn't say there isn't a drop between the spending rate between pre-retirement, and post-retirement. What it is reflecting that once retired spending doesn't continue to decline thereafter.

This the actual paper rather than the linked to blog of someone reporting on it. As usual the source is a better place than someone's interpretation of someone's interpretation of it.

https://ifs.org.uk/publications/16055

BullDog
Lemon Quarter
Posts: 1665
Joined: November 18th, 2021, 11:57 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by BullDog »

dealtn wrote:I think most are are confusing different things.

This doesn't say there isn't a drop between the spending rate between pre-retirement, and post-retirement. What it is reflecting that once retired spending doesn't continue to decline thereafter.

This the actual paper rather than the linked to blog of someone reporting on it. As usual the source is a better place than someone's interpretation of someone's interpretation of it.

https://ifs.org.uk/publications/16055
But it's highly personal dependent on circumstances. I am spending more than I was working simply because I am booking several expensive holidays a year. I didn't have enough vacation days when I worked. But if I survive as long as my father, when I get to his age, all that spending isn't happening any more. I expect if I live past mid 80 's into 90's like he has, there's a huge income surplus every month.

dealtn
Lemon Half
Posts: 5676
Joined: November 21st, 2016, 4:26 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by dealtn »

BullDog wrote:
dealtn wrote:I think most are are confusing different things.

This doesn't say there isn't a drop between the spending rate between pre-retirement, and post-retirement. What it is reflecting that once retired spending doesn't continue to decline thereafter.

This the actual paper rather than the linked to blog of someone reporting on it. As usual the source is a better place than someone's interpretation of someone's interpretation of it.

https://ifs.org.uk/publications/16055
But it's highly personal dependent on circumstances. I am spending more than I was working simply because I am booking several expensive holidays a year. I didn't have enough vacation days when I worked. But if I survive as long as my father, when I get to his age, all that spending isn't happening any more. I expect if I live past mid 80 's into 90's like he has, there's a huge income surplus every month.
But it's not talking about "when you are working", and comparing that period to "when you are no longer working".

Arborbridge
Lemon Half
Posts: 9905
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 9:33 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Arborbridge »

JohnB wrote:* Pension withdrawals taxed at a lower rate because of the tax free sums

* living off capital has no taxation provided you are wise handing capital gains

* extra non-means tested benefits like winter fuel allowance or bus passes boost income and reduce spending

* pensioner discounts on tourist attractions, rail travel etc

all reduce spending, but can be overwhelmed by the big problem of having to pay people to do things you used to do yourself, whether than be gardening or personal care.
Bus passes decrease spending on buses, or trains, but they serve to boost spending overall. Lots of wrinklies visiting towns and attractions which they wouldn't do if bus passes didn't help them to. And when we get there, we spend money. I've always thought any suggestion of axing travel benefits would be very short sighted in terms of the general economic benefit.
In my case, discounted travel up to London means I will do it - otherwise I would baulk at the cost and do it less frequently.

Eboli
Lemon Slice
Posts: 325
Joined: November 7th, 2016, 9:05 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Eboli »

I think this is determined by one or two big ticket items.

For example, in my case, I am sure my retirement expenditure has fallen by at least 40% of what I used to spend. However, I have a penchant for visiting New Zealand and the only way I can face the 18 hours from Dubai is to totally indulge myself and have a shower before I land. This sets me back about £8k every time I do it. So Jocinda's shut down and the pandemic have saved me lots of money. I suspect 2022/23 will prove to be very expensive...

Eb.

Dod101
The full Lemon
Posts: 15021
Joined: October 10th, 2017, 11:33 am

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Dod101 »

Eboli wrote:I think this is determined by one or two big ticket items.

For example, in my case, I am sure my retirement expenditure has fallen by at least 40% of what I used to spend. However, I have a penchant for visiting New Zealand and the only way I can face the 18 hours from Dubai is to totally indulge myself and have a shower before I land. This sets me back about £8k every time I do it. So Jocinda's shut down and the pandemic have saved me lots of money. I suspect 2022/23 will prove to be very expensive...

Eb.
That is an expensive shower but presumably the airline throws in First Class travel as well?

Dod

Charlottesquare
Lemon Quarter
Posts: 2278
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 3:22 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Charlottesquare »

Surely spending increases within retirement as care home fees in time likely become payable.

Lootman
The full Lemon
Posts: 16601
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 3:58 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Lootman »

Dod101 wrote:
Eboli wrote:I think this is determined by one or two big ticket items.

For example, in my case, I am sure my retirement expenditure has fallen by at least 40% of what I used to spend. However, I have a penchant for visiting New Zealand and the only way I can face the 18 hours from Dubai is to totally indulge myself and have a shower before I land. This sets me back about £8k every time I do it. So Jocinda's shut down and the pandemic have saved me lots of money. I suspect 2022/23 will prove to be very expensive...
That is an expensive shower but presumably the airline throws in First Class travel as well?
I love flying First as much as the next guy. But I never understood this desire to shower half way through a flight. Let alone on a plane which I believe is only available on Emirates and Etihad.

I am happy to stink all the way there whilst drinking champagne and eating caviar, and then have a soak when I get there.

Eboli
Lemon Slice
Posts: 325
Joined: November 7th, 2016, 9:05 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Eboli »

Lootman noted:
But I never understood this desire to shower half way through a flight. Let alone on a plane which I believe is only available on Emirates and Etihad. I am happy to stink all the way there whilst drinking champagne and eating caviar, and then have a soak when I get there.
1. I can only comment about Emirates. Your 'let alone" suggests a total bias especially as they are consistently one of the best.

2. Who said 'half way through' (I said before I land). You thereby miss the purpose. I want to be awake when going through New Zealand immigration rather than stink of alcohol.

'Nuff said. I stray off-topic.

Eb.

Lootman
The full Lemon
Posts: 16601
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 3:58 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Lootman »

Eboli wrote:Lootman noted:
But I never understood this desire to shower half way through a flight. Let alone on a plane which I believe is only available on Emirates and Etihad. I am happy to stink all the way there whilst drinking champagne and eating caviar, and then have a soak when I get there.
1. I can only comment about Emirates. Your 'let alone" suggests a total bias especially as they are consistently one of the best.

2. Who said 'half way through' (I said before I land). You thereby miss the purpose. I want to be awake when going through New Zealand immigration rather than stink of alcohol.
I have bad news for you. A shower won't remove the stench of alcohol from your breath. You need mouthwash for that.

And I never said that Emirates or any of the ME3 airlines are bad at all. I merely stated that they are the only airlines (less Qatar) that offer in-flight showers. Lots of airlines offer them in lounges of course but, again, I have no use for them. I'd rather get to my hotel quicker and then have a real shower.

Plus in many cases the arrivals lounges with showers are AFTER immigration and customs e.g. Heathrow.

Eboli
Lemon Slice
Posts: 325
Joined: November 7th, 2016, 9:05 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Eboli »

Lootman,

As normal you go down bag ends.

As I said, 'nuff said.

Eb.

Lootman
The full Lemon
Posts: 16601
Joined: November 4th, 2016, 3:58 pm

Re: Spending doesn't decline in retirement

Post by Lootman »

Eboli wrote:Lootman,

As normal you go down bag ends.

As I said, 'nuff said.

Eb.

I have no idea what your cute little idiom means nor what you think it means. I was merely correcting your factual errors "as normal". But I would recommend carrying around less anger with you. And drinking less on flights.

Post Reply

Return to “Retirement Investing (inc FIRE)”