News release

Embargoed: 00:01 hrs Thursday April 2, 2015

INFLATION DROP GIVES OVER-55s AN EXTRA 1,032 A YEAR IN

DISPOSABLE INCOME AS ESSENTIAL COSTS FALL

Standard of living improves for the over-55s as they have more disposable income

Over-55s are better off by 86 a month

Spending on essentials is down by 7% year-on-year while average incomes have

risen by 3%

Extra disposable income has boosted monthly savings by 22% and cut unsecured
borrowing

24% say that ill-health worries them the most about ageing

Falling inflation has given over-55s back their financial freedom and boosted saving
habits as essential spending has fallen by 7% in a year, according to research from
Aviva.
UK inflation reached a 15 year low of 0.5% in December, driving down over-55s outlay
on basics such as food and utilities. At the same time, Avivas Real Retirement research
(Q4 2014) shows the average income among over-55s experienced a 3% annual uplift.
Yearly disposable income has risen by 1,032 (6%) since Q4 2013 and by 1,440 (9%)
compared to Q4 2011. This has led to a significant rise in over-55s standard of living and
helped to boost savings, as well as reduce unsecured debt.
Standard of living rises as over-55s gain an extra 86 in monthly disposable
income
In Q4 2014, over-55s received an average of 1,924 in monthly income - a 3% increase
year-on-year and a rise of 8% since 2011.
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While average incomes have risen, over-55s monthly expenditure on essentials

(incorporating food, housing, utilities and transport) has fallen from 460 in Q4 2013 to
427, resulting in monthly savings of 33 (or 396 per year).
This has been driven by a fall in spending on food. Over-55s average monthly food bill
reached a record high of 210 in Q4 2013: since then, it has fallen to 196, suggesting
over-55s are seeing the benefits of falling food prices.*
Avivas research uses disposable income (the difference between income and essential
expenditure) as a measure for standard of living. It shows over-55s had an average of
1,496 in monthly disposable income in Q4 2014: a rise of 6% year-on-year and 9%
higher than Q4 2011s figure of 1,376.
Over-55s now have an additional 86 in monthly disposable income compared to last
year, adding up to an extra 1,032 per year. Compared with Q4 2011, their disposable
income has risen by 120 a month or 1,440 annually.
Table 1: Over-55s average monthly income, essentials expenditure and disposable
income
Average monthly
income (mean)

Average monthly
essential expenditure
(mean)

Average monthly
disposable income
(mean)

Q4 2014

1,924

427

1,496

Q3 2014

1,895

416

1,479

Q4 2013

1,870

460

1,410

Q4 2011

1,787

410

1,376

Annual change

54 (3%)

-33 (-7%)

86 (6%)

Three year
change

137 (8%)

17 (4%)

120 (9%)

Note: All numbers are rounded to nearest 1

Over-55s use boost in spending power to tackle debt and increase savings pots
This boost in disposable income has given over-55s the confidence to spend more on
luxury items and recreation. Monthly spending on entertainment, holidays and recreation
has risen steadily since Q4 2011, when the average monthly spend was just 59. This
rose to 63 in Q4 2013 and increased by an additional 14% to 72 per month in Q4 2014.
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However, over-55s are also using their improved financial freedom to reduce their debts
and grow their savings pots. Average monthly savings stood at 214 in Q4 2014: an
increase of 39 (22%) year-on-year from 175 in Q4 2013 and 80 (60%) increase from
134 in Q4 2011.
At the same time, over-55s unsecured debt has fallen significantly since 2011 as they
have found more income at their disposal. The average debt has dropped from 2,812 in
Q4 2011 to 1,527 in Q4 2014: a 46% reduction. In the past year alone, over-55s have
successfully reduced their average unsecured debt by 10% (down from 1,703 in Q4
2013).
The amount owed on credit cards has decreased significantly, almost halving from
1,033 in Q4 2011 to 551 in Q4 2014. In the past year over-55s have cut their credit
card debt by 23% from 713 in Q4 2013.
Table 2: Average total debt and savings among over-55s
Average monthly savings
(mean)

Average unsecured debt

among over-55s (mean)

Q4 2014

214

1,527

Q3 2014

196

1,697

Q4 2013

175

1,703

Q4 2011

134

2,812

Annual change

39 (22%)

-176 (-10%)

Three year change

80 (60%)

-1,285 (-46%)

Despite improving finances, concerns over the cost of care soar

With over-55s standard of living improving significantly over the past year and inflation
falling to new lows, 52% still see the rising cost of living as a threat to their finances in the
next five years, but is down from 76% a year ago (Q4 2013).
However, concerns over the cost of care in old age have soared in the past year. Only
4% of over-55s saw the need to pay for care for themselves or their partner as a threat to
their finances in Q4 2013, virtually unchanged from Q4 2011 (2%).
But since 2013, fears about the cost of care have spiralled, with 19% of over-55s citing
this as a threat in Q4 2014.

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These financial worries are clearly rooted in peoples general concerns about the healthrelated aspects of growing older. A quarter of over-55s (24%) say that ill-health worries
them the most about ageing, while 23% are most concerned about losing their mental
faculties, for example through dementia. Over one in ten (12%) worry most about being
dependent on other people.
Clive Bolton, Avivas managing director of retirement solutions, said:
The rise in disposable income is a welcome sign that over-55s standard of living is on
the up. It is a testament to their resilience and adaptability that they have come through
the recession in such a strong position. After years of cutting back and struggling to make
ends meet, their financial circumstances are clearly improving and they are finding more
breathing space from month to month. This extra freedom is helping them to reduce their
debts and increase their savings pots, two habits that will stand them in good stead
during retirement.
Planning ahead is the best way for over-55s to arm themselves against any unexpected
costs in retirement. It is never too early to start building up a healthy savings pot, and
whittling away any debts will help to free up extra funds in retirement. If and when
inflation rises, careful planning will help to ensure more people can take this in their
stride.
-ENDS-

* The Office of National Statistics Consumer Prices Index shows there was a 1.9% fall in food
prices in the year to December 2014
If you are a journalist and would like further information, please contact:
Aviva Press Office: Diane Mangan: 07800 691 714 or diane.mangan@aviva.co.uk
The Wriglesworth Consultancy: Andy Lane or Rachel Morrod: 0207 427 1400 or
aviva@wriglesworth.com
Methodology:
The Real Retirement research series is produced by Aviva and ICM Unlimited. The Q4 2014
findings involve 1,197 UK consumers aged over 55, with 21,597 in total having contributed to the
research since February 2010. Wherever possible, the same data parameters have been used for
analysis for the duration of the series, but some additions or changes have been made as other
tracking topics become apparent.
/mfs

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Notes to editors:

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