Homer Simpsons 'must cut down on beer to retire at 65'

Real-life Homer Simpsons will have to adjust their lifestyle if they want to retire aged 65, according to a new study.

With the 20th anniversary of the first airing of animated sitcom The Simpsons taking place yesterday, Abbey Savings has investigated what life would be like for the family if they were living in the UK.

While household disposable income has gone up 74.4 per cent since 1987, the average cost of living has almost doubled in the same period and Homer would have to pay 155.9 per cent more for a drink in Moe's Tavern, on top of being hit with higher mortgage costs.

Meanwhile, Marge Simpson would have to pay 264 per cent more for a trip to the hairdressers to maintain her blue haircut, and if Maggie Simpson, who would now be nearly 20, was at university, she would be faced with education costs 285 per cent higher than in 1987.

Head of savings at Abbey Reza Attar-Zadeh said that with only 14 years left until Homer retires, he should focus on paying off his mortgage and start a savings plan.

He commented: "Homer may have to adjust his lifestyle if he wants to retire at 65. He may well have to ditch the high inflation products - like donuts and beer at Moe's tavern."

Last week it was reported that the UK's inflation rate hit 3.1 per cent in March, 1.1 per cent higher than the chancellor's two per cent target.