For decades, retirement has been framed as a milestone tied to age. Sixty-seven has become a default finish line — the point at which work stops and “retirement” begins. But this traditional view no longer reflects reality.
Retirement is not about reaching a specific birthday. It’s about reaching a point where your finances give you choice.
In its simplest form, retirement is when you can afford to stop working — or at least stop working on someone else’s terms. That moment will be different for everyone. Some people may reach it in their 50s, others in their 60s or later. What matters is not the age you retire, but whether your financial position allows you to live the life you want.
This is why advice is crucial: retirement age varies for everyone.
Without a clear plan, retirement can feel vague and distant — something to worry about “later.” With advice, it becomes a tangible goal that you can work toward deliberately. Financial advice helps translate your values, lifestyle goals, and priorities into numbers: how much income you’ll need, how long your money must last, and how to structure your assets to support the life you envision.
Retirement today is no longer about slowing down and doing less. For many Australians, it’s about doing more of what matters. It might mean travelling regularly, spending time with family, volunteering, starting a passion project, or simply having the freedom to say no to work that no longer serves you. It’s about living your best life — not waiting until you’re “old enough” to enjoy it.
Crucially, retirement doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing switch. Many people choose a transition: reducing hours, changing roles, or working on projects they enjoy while their investments do more of the heavy lifting. Financial advice helps structure this flexibility, ensuring your income remains sustainable while preserving your long-term security.
One of the biggest risks people face is assuming that retirement will simply “work itself out.” Superannuation balances, investment returns, inflation, tax, and longevity all interact in complex ways. A small decision made years earlier — such as how super is invested, when assets are accessed, or how income is drawn — can have a significant impact over a 20- to 30-year retirement.
This is especially important given that Australians are living longer than ever. Retirement is no longer a short chapter at the end of life; it can span decades. The goal is not just to retire, but to retire well — with confidence that your money will support you for as long as you need it to.
Good advice also helps protect what you’ve worked hard to build. Retirement planning isn’t just about growth; it’s about managing risk. Market volatility, unexpected health costs, and changing legislation can all affect outcomes. A well-structured plan provides resilience, helping you adapt without compromising your lifestyle.
At its heart, retirement planning is deeply personal. It starts with a simple but powerful question: What does a good life look like for you? From there, advice provides clarity — turning aspirations into achievable strategies.
Retirement isn’t a reward for reaching a certain age. It’s the freedom that comes from preparation. When your finances are aligned with your goals, retirement becomes less about stopping work and more about starting the next phase of life on your own terms.
And the sooner that alignment happens, the sooner you can begin living the life you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
If this article has inspired you to think about your unique situation and, more importantly, what you and your family are going through right now, please get in touch with your advice professional.
This information does not consider any person’s objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before making a decision, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your particular objectives, financial situation, or needs.
(Feedsy Exclusive)