Planning to retire in 2025? Here’s how you can make it epic

The Epic Retirement International Newsletter for early December is here.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to everyone in the USA! 🌟 For those in other corners of the world, hang tight—your holidays are just around the corner.

This year, I’m especially thankful for all the buzz around Epic Retirements—both here and in the Epic Retirement Club on Facebook. Your energy, questions, and stories make this journey so rewarding. Thank you for being part of it! 🙏

I’m just a few weeks away from taking a much-needed break, but before I do, I’ll be sending the international edition of How to Have an Epic Retirement off to the publishers for editing. It's been a fascinating (and massive!) job adapting all the content for readers in western countries. For this edition, I’ve focused on the USA, UK, Canada, and New Zealand—otherwise, the book would have turned into an unwieldy tome! As it stands, though, I think it’s shaping up to be really useful. Still a bit of work to go, but we're getting there.

As December rolls in, many of you might be looking ahead to 2025 and starting to make plans—perhaps even a retirement date! That’s why this month’s feature article dives into prepping for a 2025 retirement. I’ve also included an important internationally relevant article on phone money scams, so you’re up to date on the latest risks and how to stay safe while globetrotting on the holidays.

If you’ve got questions about planning your own epic retirement, don’t hesitate to reach out—I try to reply to everyone. You can email me at bec@epicretirement.net.

Now, dive in, enjoy the read, and have an amazing December. Let’s make it Epic!

Many thanks! Bec Wilson

Author, podcast host, columnist, retirement educator, and guest speaker

Planning to retire in 2025? Here’s how you can make it epic

If you’re considering retiring (in the modern sense) in the year ahead—stepping into one of the most exciting chapters of your life—and you want your retirement to be more than just the end of working, now is the time to start planning with intention. With the end of 2024 in sight, it’s the perfect moment to begin shaping the retirement you truly want.

Retirement today is no longer a quiet wind-down; it’s a chance to embrace purpose, adventure, and financial confidence over 25–35 vibrant years.

I want you to take the time to prepare, envision, and take action to make your retirement truly epic. Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Define what retirement means to you

Before you dive into the details, take time to picture your ideal retirement. Everyone’s dream looks different—what’s yours? Think about three things.

• Purpose: How will you spend your days? What will give you a sense of meaning?

• Happiness: What activities, relationships, or pursuits bring you joy?

• Adventure: Is travel on your list? A new hobby? Or even a part-time career doing something you love?

By defining your vision, you’re not just thinking about retirement—you’re building a mission for this exciting phase of life. And note - money is not a defining ideal.

Step 2: Get your finances and your financial confidence in shape

Financial confidence is key to retiring well. In 2025, you want to feel secure, knowing your money can support your lifestyle and goals.

• Create a budget: Figure out how much you’ll need each year to live comfortably while pursuing your dreams.

• Learn how to layer your income: Understand how government pensions, superannuation, investments, and savings will work together to fund your retirement.

• Leverage tax concessions: Make sure you’re maximising tax concessions and all other available financial benefits to stretch your money further.

If you’re not confident in your plan yet, the first quarter of 2025 is time to become literate, then, you might want to contemplate meeting with a financial adviser and/or your pension fund’s advisers and make sure everything is on track.

Step 3: Prioritise your health

Health is the foundation of an epic retirement. Without it, even the best plans can feel out of reach.

• Make prevention a priority: Schedule your check-ups and start paying attention to your body’s signals.

• Build healthy habits: Commit to daily exercise and better nutrition to support a longer, healthier life.

• Learn about longevity science: Explore modern science on ageing and how to slow physical and mental decline.

By taking care of your health now, you’re setting yourself up for decades of enjoyment in retirement.

Step 4: Plan your time and adventures

Retirement is a gift of time—but how you spend it will shape your experience.

• Structure your days: Think about how you’ll stay engaged and fulfilled. Whether it’s volunteering, picking up a new hobby, or simply spending quality time with loved ones, plan activities that give your days purpose. You need things to look forward to every week - things that give you a sense of belonging.

• Dream big: If travel is on your list, start mapping out your dream destinations. Build your bucket list, research costs, and save for the adventures that matter most to you. Look ahead 3-5 years to get motivated and start prioritising both the trips of your dreams, and some trips you’d do if the opportunity popped up!

Step 5: Future-proof your housing vision

Where you live plays a huge role in your retirement experience. Now is the time to think ahead:

• How do you live in a place that maximises your life goals now? Is that low maintenances or high lifestyle? Functional utility or affordability?

• Is your home suitable for ageing in place?

• Does it fit your lifestyle goals and financial plan?

• Are there adjustments you can make now to increase comfort and accessibility?

Practical choices today can make a big difference in your long-term happiness and security.

Step 6: Get ready to transition - and consider doing it slowly

Retiring in 2025 is a big life shift, so take time to prepare mentally and emotionally.

• Are there any skills, knowledge, or relationships you want to build before stepping away from work?’

• Have you got some outside work projects to help you fill the gap in the first months while you establish longer term activities?

• Do you have a support network to help you adjust to this new stage?

The key to a successful retirement is approaching it as a beginning, not an end - and not trying to become retired instantly — think of it as a continuum.

Make 2025 the start of something extraordinary

Your retirement is what you make it — and if you’re planning to do it in 2025 - do it well. With a little planning, this change can mark the beginning of the most rewarding and exciting phase of your life. Whether it’s focusing on health, building financial confidence, or ticking off bucket-list adventures, every decision you make now brings you closer to the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. As long as you’re proactive, curious and interested in the journey - not just the destination.

So, what’s your first step? Tell us in the comments.

A big financial warning to all travellers and mobile phone users

We all need to be more vigilant when our phone is unlocked and embrace facial recognition technology. Image: Canva

A different version of this article appeared in Australian newspapers this week, here - but frankly - it’s relevant all over the world.

Today I’ve got a frightening warning for everyone using a mobile phone. And it comes from a real story about Matthew, a friend’s son who was robbed using his very own mobile phone last week - and a growing number of situations just like his are happening all over the world.

Matthew, 26, was standing on the street corner at 7pm on a Friday night in Angel Islington in London, ordering an Uber on his mobile phone. A thief sprinted past, snatching the unlocked phone right out of his grip. Within minutes, a nightmare unfolded.

With the unlocked phone in hand, the thieves had an open and free pass into Matthew’s financial world. They immediately reset his phone password, then set about using his email address and text messages, which they had direct access to, to confirm two-factor authentication on his bank accounts. They transferred thousands of pounds from his accounts, intercepting the text messages to authorise the bank transfers that come into your phone. Then they started purchasing online gift cards with his credit cards. They also reset his passwords, locking him out completely.

Then, they accessed his WhatsApp, messaging his friends and his boss, claiming that he’d lost his phone and was stranded and in urgent need of money. Over £7,500 was transferred from his accounts – everything they could access using his online banking cards.

Matthew was initially slow to act—caught off guard by the situation and unaware of the full extent of the thieves' plan or how to respond effectively. Fortunately, he was with two friends who helped him get home.

By the time he arrived, the damage was already severe. His bank accounts had been drained, his credit cards maxed out, and, of course, his phone was gone. They’d changed his access passwords to gmail, and several other crucial services too – giving themselves the power to do anything. Desperate for help, Matthew reached out to his mum, Fiona, who immediately sprang into action from down under, determined to help him regain control.

But the thieves, still logged into his device, could see all his messages and see their management plan unfolding in real time.

He locked down the bank account, contacted his phone provider and filed a police report - probably in the wrong order. Then he set about trying to recover his gmail account - a very difficult process that takes 48 hours at best.

Matthew did have a stroke of good luck on three fronts. A few months prior he had elected to take out a monthly premium insurance policy with his bank, for £15 per month - so his bank treated him with priority, and the policy offered him ‘phone insurance’ so he had a new phone delivered to him by the insurer the next day. He managed to shut down his bank accounts before his friends sent him another £2000 pounds in incremental payments too, so he was able to pay all that back.

And, finally, on his gmail account, he had listed his mum as the secondary email address, rather than listing a secondary personal email like his home or work email that was also visible on the device. The fact that he had a different email meant that when he triggered the reset on the account passwords - the thieves couldn’t see the confirm emails, and they couldn’t thwart his efforts by clicking the confirm emails to say the report was invalid. This was a really important and valuable step.

It’s worth noting that Matthew is a young, Aussie overseas traveller with limited cash in his accounts. Now imagine the havoc thieves could wreak on someone with more complex finances—a home loan with a redraw facility, a cash management account holding retirement savings, or daily transaction limits set too high. The potential for financial devastation is far greater.

Two weeks on, Matthew has a new phone. His bank, Monzo in the UK, has refunded the stolen money, and he has painstakingly regained access to his Gmail and other accounts. While he’s now back on track, the process was both time-consuming and stressful. I checked a couple of Aussie banks after to see if they’d be as generous as Monzo — and apparently they would protect their customers from losses due to unauthorised transactions, provided the customers have taken reasonable steps to safeguard their accounts against unauthorised access and taken proactive steps in real time after the theft – not delaying reporting it, or limiting the bank’s ability to act. It’s worth contemplating whether it would be the same in your country.

Open phone theft is surging, with British police reporting 75,000 cases in the past year alone. This isn’t just a London issue—or even just a problem for travellers. Similar crimes are being reported in cities worldwide, where banks are seeing a sharp increase in phone theft. The lesson for both travellers and everyday people is clear: stay vigilant and take steps to protect your device and personal information.

Whether you’re scrolling your phone outside a café or navigating a map with your phone in hand, sitting in a restaurant with your phone on the table beside you, or even, like Matthew, ordering an Uber, thieves are watching for moments of distraction. Keep your phone secure, adopt features like facial recognition, and avoid holding your phone out in public unnecessarily. A little extra caution can save you from a big headache, whether you're at home or abroad.

Ultimately, there’s three lessons I want you to take away from this story.

1. If your phone is stolen, here’s what to do in order: first, contact your phone provider immediately to have the device blocked. If you can access a ‘Find My Phone’ feature, wipe the phone instantly to prevent the thieves from accessing your data. Next, call your bank or use online banking to freeze your accounts and secure your finances. Finally, report the theft to the police to ensure the incident is documented and for assistance with any insurance claims. Make sure you do it in this order.

2. If you can set a secondary or recovery email address for your Gmail or other accounts, choose a trusted family member or close friend. Make sure this email is not linked to the same device as your primary account, ensuring you can regain access even if your phone is stolen.

3. Use facial recognition technology to secure your apps. Apple’s iOS 18 and Samsung’s latest software now let you lock individual apps, like email and banking, with Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint technology. On iOS, simply update to iOS 18, press and hold an app, and select “Require Face ID.” Samsung’s Secure Folder offers similar protection, encrypting sensitive apps with biometrics or a strong password. These features are essential in safeguarding your digital life. If your device doesn’t support them, it may be time to upgrade.