“Why the Last Five Years Before Retirement Matter More Than the First Twenty”
Most Australians spend more time planning their next holiday than planning the next 30 years of their life.
Retirement isn’t a financial event. It’s a life event.
Many people spend decades building wealth but very little time preparing for what retirement will actually look and feel like.
When most people think about retirement planning, they immediately think about money.
How much super do I have?
Will I qualify for the Age Pension?
How much can I spend each year?
These are all important questions, but after sitting with hundreds of retirees over the years, I’ve noticed something surprising.
The happiest retirees aren’t necessarily the wealthiest.
The happiest retirees are the ones who retire to something, not from something.
For many people, work provides structure, connection, purpose and routine. When that disappears overnight, the financial side of retirement can actually be the easy part.
I’ve met retirees with millions of dollars who struggle to adjust because they no longer feel needed. I’ve also met retirees on far more modest incomes who are thriving because they’re busy with family, hobbies, volunteering, travel or community involvement.
Retirement planning should involve more than a balance sheet.
Think about:
- What will your typical week look like?
- Who will you spend time with?
- What gives you purpose?
- What excites you about the next chapter?
Money gives you options.
Purpose gives you fulfilment.
The goal isn’t simply to have enough money to retire.
The goal is to build a retirement worth waking up for.
The Whitehead Financial Team
