Economic life stages

Typical economic considerations for Australians in two-year age bands from 12 to 81. Select an age band on the poster, or open a card in the list below. Every age page has five considerations, sources, a research snapshot and three income scenarios.

Economic life stages, ages 12 to 81 Seven rows of five age bands. Each band shows five typical economic considerations. Economic life stages Typical economic considerations in two-year age bands, ages 12 to 81, Australia Mountain View · ages 12 to 21 12–13years Mountain View First bike Pocket money Clubs and hobbies Online life Starting high school 14–15years Mountain View First casual job First bank account Own phone and plan Spending money Subject choices 16–17years Mountain View Learner licence Part-time work Tax and TFN First savings goal Choosing a pathway 18–19years Mountain View Adult rights University, TAFE or work Student support P plates Credit and buy now pay later 20–21years Mountain View First car Moving out Trade wages Study debt First super Bronze · ages 22 to 31 22–23years Bronze Graduate job Super builds HELP repayments Own rental Travel 24–25years Bronze Step up Emergency fund Insurance basics Debt habits Relationships 26–27years Bronze Mid-level role Health cover Deposit saving First investments Tax deductions 28–29years Bronze Deposit goal Partner moves in Pay growth Tax planning Legal basics 30–31years Bronze First home Weddings and partnerships Life insurance First will Interest rates Khaki · ages 32 to 41 32–33years Khaki First child Parental leave A bigger home Income protection Work flexibility 34–35years Khaki Childcare costs Return to work Family car Mortgage repayments Super check 36–37years Khaki Mortgage at its heaviest Promotion Second child Kids' activities Cost of living 38–39years Khaki Kids' sport and school Senior role Insurance review Investing beyond super Ageing parents 40–41years Khaki Earnings climb Renovations Extra repayments Study again Health checks Stormy Weather · ages 42 to 51 42–43years Stormy Weather School costs rise Replacement car Parents' care Higher tax bracket Family holidays 44–45years Stormy Weather Teenage costs Leadership or own business Business set-up Health costs rise Investing 46–47years Stormy Weather Peak earning begins Child at university Mortgage shrinking Super top-ups Estate review 48–49years Stormy Weather Peak saving Kids move out, or back Insurance and estate Bigger travel Health 50–51years Stormy Weather Highest average income Mortgage near paid off Supporting adult kids Retirement planning Investments Dusty Cedar · ages 52 to 61 52–53years Dusty Cedar Peak income years Catch-up super Mortgage payoff Adult children Health 54–55years Dusty Cedar Empty nest Super growth Travel budget Insurance review Parents' care 56–57years Dusty Cedar Downsizing Reduced hours Advice Risk review Health costs 58–59years Dusty Cedar Super access Retirement approaches Health costs Transition planning Estate documents 60–61years Dusty Cedar Super preservation age Many cut back or retire Health spending Transition to retirement Home equity Ocean Depths · ages 62 to 71 62–63years Ocean Depths Retirement for many Super pension or lump sum Travel years Health costs Home decisions 64–65years Ocean Depths Average retirement age Spending shift Concession cards Downsizing Pension vs lump sum 66–67years Ocean Depths Age Pension age Medicare costs Home equity Assets and income tests Claim ahead 68–69years Ocean Depths Pension plus super Health costs rise Grandchildren Grey nomad travel Investment income 70–71years Ocean Depths Minimum drawdown Maintenance costs Driving less Medication Estate planning Silver Birch · ages 72 to 81 72–73years Silver Birch Specialist care Helping family Steady income Energy costs Safety net 74–75years Silver Birch Home modifications Hospital and dental Fixed-income budget Power of attorney Family support 76–77years Silver Birch Estate and attorney Health services Retirement living Care planning Family conversations 78–79years Silver Birch Village or home care Home Care Package Aged care means test Respite Family support 80–81years Silver Birch Aged care costs Family support Settling the estate Health Legacy gifts

Browse by age

Mountain ViewAges 12 to 21
BronzeAges 22 to 31
KhakiAges 32 to 41
Stormy WeatherAges 42 to 51
Dusty CedarAges 52 to 61
Ocean DepthsAges 62 to 71
Silver BirchAges 72 to 81