Turning thoughts of retirement into plans to retire
And in today's newspapers: 'Super’s big test is working, but there is a fatal flaw'
In this edition
Feature: Turning thoughts of retirement into plans to retire
From Bec’s Desk: Books, events and adventure.
SMH/TheAge: Super’s big test is working, but there is a fatal flaw
Prime Time: How to take control of your retirement savings
Turning thoughts of retirement into a retirement plan
For years, retirement can be something you think about rather passively. It sits in the future, as a hazy “one day” idea. You imagine the trips you’ll take, the hobbies you’ll finally have time for, maybe even the relief of stepping away from work. But that’s different from actually planning for it.
This week our new cohort of students in the How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course kicked off their first week of the Autumn program. Week one is fun — it’s the moment they commit to themselves. As they work through the lessons, they share stories and reflections, describing how they feel at the start of the journey. It’s wonderful, as the educator, to sit back and read them. These are people who’ve turned “one day” into “I’d like a plan.” You can feel their energy shift as they realise that by starting to learn, they’re moving from vague hopes to a real desire to dive into the details.
That shift is the beginning of something powerful. At some point, you want to know how you get there. And that requires a vision, so you can work on the numbers and start to plot your path.
Making that move from drifting to deliberate planning is one of the most important steps you can take in the lead-up to retirement. And once you’ve made it, here are some ways to get the most out of the planning phase.
1. Start with writing out your vision
It’s hard to plan for something you haven’t got a mental picture of. What does an epic retirement look like in your head? Is it adventure and travel? A slower, local rhythm? A portfolio of projects and pursuits with an annual holiday thrown in? Once you have that picture, you can start asking the real questions: How much is really in super? When could you comfortably cut back work? What would life actually cost, week to week? Having a vision, even a sketchy one, gives your planning a direction to work toward.
2. Put shape around your spending
Rather than telling yourself “we’ll probably need less when we stop work,” get specific. Track what you’re spending now and sketch out what will actually change over the coming years. Kids finally leaving home? Mortgage nearly done? More travel in the mix? Less need for work clothes and transport? Downsizing? Yes, that means building a budget (I’ve included templates in both my books to make it easier). It doesn’t have to be perfect — but it will give you a clearer picture of whether you’re in good shape already, or whether there are gaps to fill.
3. Test out some different income scenarios
This is where your super and investments stop being abstract numbers and start to feel real. Step up and start to use an online calculator (like Moneysmart's Retirement Calculator) to test out what retirement could look like - financially. Run through a few “what ifs.” If you draw $60,000 a year, how long will your money last? What happens if markets fall in the first five years? What changes if you add in part-time work? Far from being scary, playing with some scenarios without anyone watching can be empowering. They show you the levers you can pull, and remind you that you probably have more flexibility than you think.
4. Use the “excess years” in your Prime Time wisely
For many people, there’s a window of years where cash flow suddenly frees up - the kids are off your hands, the mortgage is nearly gone. It’s tempting to let lifestyle creep take over with bigger holidays, new cars, or renovations. But if you treat these years as your setup phase instead, and channel that money into super, debt reduction, or a healthy buffer, you’ll give yourself far more freedom later on.
5. Don’t forget the emotional side
Money is only half the picture you need when you think about retirement. Planning is also about shaping your days, your reasons for getting out of bed and the things you get a kick out of. Ask yourself: what will give me purpose? How will I stay connected? What do I want to be known for in this next chapter? And what experiences are important to plan for? Answering those questions now will make the transition into retirement smoother, more exciting, and more fulfilling.
The moment you stop drifting and start diving in is the true beginning of retirement planning. From there, every step you take isn’t just about the numbers - it’s about building the kind of future you can’t wait to step into.
This week was a quieter week (phew!). But somehow still packed with interesting things.
First things first - the new cohort of the How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course kicked off this week. Week one is always such a buzz. People are excited and ready to start, many chomping at the bit to dive into the first lessons. And a few days in, already they’re chatting with each other, swapping stories and ideas, and building that sense of community that makes the course so special.
And this isn’t just any intake - it’s the biggest course we’ve ever run in the Epic Retirement program. We’ve also started planning our last course of the year - which will kick off in November if you’re interested. More here.
Alongside the course launch, I’ve been deep in the proofreading rounds of the UK edition of How to Have an Epic Retirement, which comes out in just three months. It’s been a very detailed adaptation for our UK community, and it’s exciting to see our little Epic Retirement grow into a truly global conversation with structure and education. And on top of that, I’ve been invited to speak to the UK pensions industry at their big annual conference in October, just before the book launches. A bit exciting! I’ve just booked my flights - my first adventure to the UK in my Prime Time 😎 and I’m already planning more.
Now for a couple of local event announcements - Come along and say hi!
I’m headed to Redcliffe Library in South East Queensland on the 13th September at 11am for an author talk and you’re invited. I’m going to be talking about Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife - and we’re going to talk through a few of the biggest lessons. Come along to this free event - places are limited - please RSVP here.
I’ll be speaking at the Australian Shareholders Association Queensland Investor Summit to be held on 22-23 September in the Gold Coast If you’re an active investor - this is an interesting conference to consider. More information here.
Lastly, of course I know you’ll want to know how Prime Time’s first month went! Unbelievable really and I have you to thank for that. Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the new midlife is 46% up on Epic Retirement’s first month, having sold thousands and thousands of books. It’s in the top 20 bestselling non-fiction books in the country (almost all the ones above me on this list are cookbooks). My publisher has been working hard to keep the book stocked in retailers so you can find a copy. And I’ve been doing my bit dropping into bookstores both planned and randomly, to sign books when I can too.
And that’s my week - and all the things I wanted to share. I hope you’ve had a lovely week and have been busily making it epic. I want to answer more of your questions in my newsletters and shows so do send them in to bec@epiceretirement.net.
Many thanks! Bec Wilson
Author, podcast host, columnist, retirement educator, and guest speaker
Extract of of my weekly column in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times, WA Today on Sunday 31st August 2025.
Super’s big test is working, but there is a fatal flaw
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) dropped its 2025 superannuation performance test results on Friday morning. And let’s be honest: most Australians couldn’t care less.
Not because they don’t care about their money, but because they have no idea what this test even is, or how they’re meant to use it. Fair enough. The “comprehensive product performance package” doesn’t exactly scream weekend reading – it sounds more like a pamphlet you’d ignore in a dentist’s waiting room.
But this test matters. It was built to spot dud funds and push people toward better ones, yet almost nobody uses it. Instead, it’s the government applying pressure, and it’s been one of the most powerful consumer protection tools in super’s history. It’s whipped the industry into line, dragged fees and performance into the open, and saved people from years stuck in underperforming funds.
Read on — this article continues in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times and WA Today. It is free to read.
How to take control of your retirement savings
If you don’t feel totally in control of your retirement savings — or you’re not even sure where to start — you’re not alone. In this episode of Prime Time, I share the practical steps you can take to build clarity, confidence and momentum with your money.
And to help answer the big questions that come up along the way, I’m joined by Giacomo Tarantolo, Manager of Retirement Solutions at UniSuper, who shares how your super fund can support you — from digital tools to real-life advice that makes planning for retirement feel less overwhelming.