Is now the right time to retire? Or is it worth delaying just a little?
Two big topics this week - and the cover reveal for Prime Time: 27 rules for the new midlife.
In this week’s edition:
Should you be delaying retirement?
Podcast: How fast could we recover?
From Bec’s Desk: Pinch me!
Hello to my international community of epic retirees and primetimers. It’s been a couple of shaking, rattling and rolling weeks. So I wanted to bring you one timely piece and one less timely piece this week. Let’s call it comething for everyone!
I hope you’ve seen the cover-reveal of my next book. I’m a little excited that after a year of work, this little beauty is sitting at Amazon’s #1 mover and shaker this week in Australia. We’ve rolled out the new look across all our podcast covers too! Keep an eye out. Like it or got something to say this week… leave me a comment here.
It’s busy busy as I work to finish the final manuscripts for Epic Retirement UK release and Prime Time Australian release — I’m head down and focussed! If there’s something you want me to write about please — reach out.
And in the meantime, make it epic!
Many thanks! Bec Wilson
Author, podcast host, columnist, retirement educator, and guest speaker
Now for a little moment I’ve been hanging out for…
It’s the cover reveal of Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife — my brand new book which will be released in Australia on the 30th July. We gave podcast listeners the first sneak peek on Wednesday (of course), and it shot straight to #1 Mover & Shaker on Amazon from all the pre-orders (thank you so much everyone for getting behind it!). Safe to say, everyone who’s worked on it is absolutely buzzing.
Here’s the trailer — see it for yourself 👇
The book is available for pre-order now on Amazon Australia here. International editions will be released — we just don’t have dates yet.
Curious to know what Prime Time is all about?
Honestly, I think my publisher nailed it with the blurb — it captures the heart of the book perfectly:
From Bec Wilson, hit podcast host and bestselling author of How to Have an Epic Retirement, comes the ultimate guide to modern midlife. We're now living longer, saving smarter, working more flexibly and seeking meaning at every turn. In 27 practical lessons, let Bec guide you on everything you need to know to make your Prime Time count.
The period from your late 40s well into your 70s is what Bec calls your 'Prime Time'. These years can be some of the best of your life - if you make the right choices. Far from winding down, this is the time to truly live.
In this essential handbook, Bec guides you through the key pillars of power, money, health, work, purpose, happiness, family and travel. This isn't just about adjusting to a longer lifespan - it's about creating a richer, more fulfilling life.
Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife isn't just a roadmap to retirement - it's a playbook for a life lived with intention, energy, joy, and financial confidence. With Bec Wilson as your guide, you can embrace this incredible stage and truly make the most of your Prime Time.
Money takes centre stage in this guide, with strategies that go beyond the basics. Learn how to make the most of superannuation, invest with purpose, maximise compounding and franking credits, understand spending and layering of income and how to leverage tax concessions. Beyond simply reaching 'enough to retire', Bec shows you how to build flexible financial foundations that will allow you to enjoy these years to the fullest.
Along with the financial foundations, this guide is packed with insights for building purpose and joy into every day, with practical advice for extending or reshaping your career, crafting a purpose-driven 'second act', creating work-life flexibility, strengthening family ties and looking after your changing body.
Ready to make your Prime Time count? Then you need this book now!
So… what do you do now?
It’s one of those questions people ask without thinking.
You’re standing at a party, or chatting to someone new on a walk, and it lands:
“So… what do you do?”
For years, that question was easy to answer.
You said your job title, maybe the company. It told people who you were, what you were about, and often gave you a sense of pride (or, let’s be honest, a bit of an eye-roll depending on the day).
But what happens when you leave that role behind?
When you’ve stepped away from full-time work—or finished work entirely—the question gets… trickier. It can make you pause.
And maybe feel a little exposed.
Because even if you're busy—travelling, grandparenting, caring for loved ones, volunteering, getting fit, or diving into a project—you might not know quite how to sum it up. You might even be trying on a few new hats and not feel comfortable with them yet.
The truth is, this stage of life often comes with an identity wobble.
You’ve earned the freedom, but you’re also figuring out how to fill the space in a way that feels like you. And even harder is communicating that to others.
So here’s your permission slip:
You don’t need a perfect answer.
Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Try saying:
“Bit of this, bit of that. Still working out what this phase is all about.”
Or just smile and say:
“I do whatever I want now. It’s a work in progress.”
And if all else fails, try this one on for size (my favourite):
“I’m working on my Epic Retirement.”
Because let’s be honest—retirement isn’t a full stop. It’s a project. A phase. A lifestyle.
And like all good projects, it takes time, creativity, and a little trial and error to get it just right.
Because the beauty of this stage—whether you’re in your Prime Time or your Epic Retirement—is that it doesn’t have to be defined in one sentence.
You’ve got time to experiment.
To drop things that no longer fit.
To pick up new things that bring you joy, meaning, energy.
So if that question makes you pause, that’s OK. You’re not lost. You’re just reshaping your answer. And that’s the real work of an epic retirement - trust me.
Tell me in the comments what your answer is to this question…
Is now the right time to retire? Or is it worth delaying just a little?
If you’ve been planning to step away from full-time work this year or next, you’re not alone in wondering whether the timing still feels right.
You might’ve been picturing travel, lazy mornings, time with family — finally having the freedom to shape your days. But then the world shifted. Again.
Global tensions are running hot and cold, markets are unsettled, inflation is lingering in many regions, and the return on investments hasn’t quite kept up. Suddenly, that peaceful glide into retirement feels more like a bumpy ride — and your savings might not be stretching as far as you’d hoped.
So here’s the question more people are quietly asking: Should I delay my retirement?
Let’s be real — this isn’t about giving up the dream. It’s about protecting it.
And making smart, calm decisions in a world that’s anything but.
Why a short delay could make a big difference
Holding off on retirement — even by six months or a year — doesn’t have to feel like pressing pause on your life. It can actually enhance the quality of your future lifestyle.
Here’s why:
If you draw income from your retirement fund when the market’s down, you lock in those lower values. You’re cashing out investments before they’ve had a chance to recover, which means there’s less left to grow for the years ahead. That’s known as sequencing risk, and it can shrink your long-term retirement income more than you might expect.
But if you’re still working — even part-time — you’re giving yourself the gift of time:
Time for your investments to rebound
Time to keep adding to your retirement savings (and maybe make extra contributions)
Time to build confidence, run the numbers again, and refine your plan
This period of uncertainty could actually be one of the most powerful wealth-building phases of your life — if you’re still contributing while the market is down. You’re buying into investments at a lower price. And when things eventually rebound (as they almost always do), your pot recovers from a stronger base.
It’s a rare upside during a rocky time.
What could that look like in real numbers?
Let’s say you’re 64 and considering delaying retirement until 66. If you continue contributing $10,000 per year, and the market climbs back even 5% during that period, the extra growth on top of those contributions could be worth $25,000–30,000 more in your retirement fund.
That’s real money. That’s extra years of income. That’s a couple of big trips or a financial buffer that helps you sleep better at night.
And it’s not just about the money.
That time can give you space to mentally prepare, finish up well, and make a smoother transition into your next chapter.
But isn’t retirement supposed to be the fun part?
Absolutely. That’s the point.
Retirement should feel good.
It should feel like freedom — not financial anxiety.
And sometimes, taking a little more time now can mean enjoying that freedom more fully later. You’ll step into it with a clearer head, stronger finances, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve set yourself up properly.
You don’t want to arrive at retirement and then feel like you’re constantly second-guessing your decisions. You want to feel ready — financially and emotionally.
This might be your Prime Time — even before you retire
Delaying retirement doesn’t mean putting joy on hold.
It can actually open up a new phase of life — one that’s more flexible, more purposeful, and more balanced than ever before.
You might shift to part-time.
You might use the extra income to top up your investments or fund a few big-ticket experiences now.
You might even start shaping the life you want to live after retirement — testing the waters with new routines, new habits, and a different pace.
Because Prime Time isn’t about doing nothing.
It’s about doing life on your terms — and that mindset can start right now.
So if your instincts are telling you that now isn’t quite the right moment to retire? That’s not hesitation. That’s wisdom.
You’re not delaying the dream — you’re strengthening it.
And when you do decide to make the leap, you’ll be doing it with the wind at your back, the numbers on your side, and a plan that works for your version of retirement.
How fast could we recover?
In this episode of Prime Time, I’m joined by economist Malcolm Wood, Head of Institutional Research and Asset Allocation at Ord Minnett to unpack the uncomfortable question so many retirees and pre-retirees are quietly asking: How bad is this going to get—and how fast could we recover?
This is an internationally relevant show — and I’m getting lots of notes from people saying how much they’ve enjoyed it.
Markets have been shaky. Fund balances are bouncing around. There’s a lot of economic noise in the media right now—headlines full of political chaos, tariff announcements, rate cut speculation, and global uncertainty. It’s hard to know what’s signal and what’s just noise.
Malcolm offers a calm, clear, and surprisingly optimistic take on what’s going on—and what it all means for investors, especially those nearing or in retirement.
We dig into the ripple effects of Trump 2.0 and why this version of Trumpism is landing faster and harder than many expected. Malcolm talks through six big themes he’s tracking in the global economy right now, and how they affect everything from currency markets to property prices to your super fund's performance.
We also look at the economic positions of various countries, and unique vulnerabilities in a world shifting away from China and towards more protectionist trade settings, and what the potential outcomes of our own looming federal election could mean for market reforms.
If you’re managing your finances carefully in the second half of life—and you’re wondering whether this rough patch will last—this episode is packed with practical insights and a grounded view of where we’re heading next.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Last of all, if you haven’t read the book, How to Have an Epic Retirement, you can order your copy from Amazon online.
Before you quit your job and sell the house... read this!
Everything I share here is general information, not personal financial, legal or tax advice. It hasn’t been tailored to your specific life, goals, money situation, or brilliant retirement plans—so before making any big decisions, please chat to a licensed financial adviser or relevant professional who can look at your individual circumstances.
I do my best to keep things accurate and current, but I can’t guarantee it (rules change, governments shuffle things around, and I’m only human). Any figures or examples are just that—examples—to help explain things, and they might not reflect the latest laws or your actual numbers.
Use this as a helpful guide, not gospel.