The changing landscape of retirement rules of thumb

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the continued adherence to “standing” rules of thumb for the percentage of pre-retirement income which should be available to retirees. Design/methodology/approach - – An analysis of census data to determine both the cause and magnitude of the debt load which retirees are carrying into their post-working years. Findings - – The “standing” rules of thumb appear to provide less than adequate levels of income for retirees to service their continuing debt load which they have chosen to carry into their retirement years. Research limitations/implications - – Census data are subject to the accuracy of “captured information” provided by the surveyed individuals. In this case, the information captured is consistent with generally reported data on the sufficiency of retirement income. Practical implications - – Financial planners need to “get the word out early” that individuals need to consider earlier/greater funding of their anticipated retirement income. Social implications - – Rising retirees may be “precluded” from retiring as anticipated because of the insufficiency of the replacement income they will have during their retirement years. Originality/value - – Detailed census data have not been reviewed in detail with a focus on “individual debt load” as we have performed in this research study.