Australians are increasingly feeling unprepared for retirement, with young adults now estimating they need around $106,000 annually for a comfortable retirement—up 59% from last year—and many expect to carry housing debt into retirement.

Concerns over digital safety are prominent, as about 70% of Australians report negative online experiences, including scams and offensive content.

While wealth has grown significantly, life expectancy has plateaued at 85 for women and 81 for men, with half of Australians now living with ongoing health issues, up from 43% fifteen years ago.

Over the past two decades, weekly disposable income has increased to $1,192 from $876 after adjusting for inflation, but income inequality has also slightly risen, as indicated by the Gini coefficient climbing from 0.299 to 0.307.

Household wealth in Australia has nearly tripled over twenty years, reaching an average of $1.584 million, including homes, superannuation, and debts.

Public perception of safety has declined, with only 46% of women feeling safe walking at night locally, and national security confidence has dropped from 91% over the past two decades.

Experts warn that despite accumulating wealth, many Australians may retire in debt and emphasize the importance of early planning, particularly managing superannuation and understanding fees.

Retirees are currently spending about $55,000 annually, which is less than what younger adults believe they will need, indicating a potential gap in retirement planning.