Minimum retirement income costs fall as energy bills get cheaper

The average cost of minimum retirement income has fallen by £1,000 thanks to lower energy bills, according to the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has released its latest Retirement Living Standards update, revealing a notable decrease in the cost of a minimum retirement lifestyle, while moderate and comfortable standards have seen increases.

The changes are driven by lower energy prices and shifting public expectations on retirement income levels.

For a two-person household, the cost of a minimum retirement lifestyle has dropped to £21,600 annually, down £800 from previous levels, while a one-person household now requiring £13,400, a £1,000 reduction.

The decline is largely attributed to a significant fall in energy costs, with weekly domestic fuel budgets for a two-person household at the minimum level decreasing by £12.44 and by £8.82 for one-person households.

These savings reflect broader economic shifts, including lower energy prices, which have eased financial pressures for retirees at this level.

Zoe Alexander, director of policy and advocacy at the PLSA, said: “For many, retirement is about maintaining the life they already have not living more extravagantly or cutting back to the bare essentials. The Standards are designed to help people picture that future and plan in a way that works for them.

“Everyone’s situation is different, and contributions should be manageable. But if your circumstances improve, even small increases can make a big difference to your future.

“This year’s findings show that costs can go down as well as up. But planning matters more than ever. Whether you’re on your own or sharing your future with someone else, these Standards are here to help savers picture and plan their retirement – with real figures, real choices and real flexibility.”

The Retirement Living Standards, calculated by Loughborough University’s Centre for Research in Social Policy, are based on in-depth discussions with UK residents to define three retirement lifestyles: Minimum, Moderate and Comfortable.

While the minimum standard saw reductions, the moderate and comfortable standards have risen slightly due to inflation across various expenditure categories, though lower energy costs – down £16.74 and £15.38 per week for two- and one-person households, respectively – helped offset these increases.

Professor Matt Padley, co-director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, said: “Our research on what the public agree is needed in retirement at these three different levels continues to track changes in expectations, shaped by the broader economic, social and political context.

“The consequences of the cost-of-living challenges over the past few years are still being felt, and we’ve seen some subtle changes in public consensus about minimum living standards in retirement, resulting in a small fall in the expenditure needed to reach this standard. 

“In these uncertain times, planning in concrete ways for the future is ever more important, and the RLS help people to think in more concrete ways about what they want their retirement to look like, and how much they will need to live at this level.”

Public discussions also highlighted evolving expectations for the Minimum standard, with small adjustments in spending on clothing, hairdressing, technology, taxi use, and charitable giving. However, rail travel budgets increased, rising from £100 to £180 per person annually, reflecting higher fares and greater reliance on trains for longer journeys.

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This year’s update introduces new terminology, replacing “single” and “couple” with “one-person” and “two-person” households to better reflect modern retirement living arrangements.

A PLSA survey found that 75% of people live with family members, 22% live alone, and 3% share with non-family members. Looking ahead, 77% of non-retired individuals expect to live with someone in retirement, with only 12% preferring to live alone, signaling openness to shared living to reduce costs.

The RLS serve as a guide, not a rigid target, encouraging retirees to tailor plans to their lifestyles.

Alexander urges savers to consider pension contributions beyond the 8% automatic enrolment default, suggesting 12% or more for a better chance at their desired retirement.

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