S4 E12 How much money do I really need to retire?

As we get older we stop thinking we will be fine in retirement and start to pay attention! Today we share the secrets to retireing well...because high income doesn’t automatically equal long-term security. In this episode, Phoebe takes a strategic, grown-up look at what retirement readiness actually means for women over 50 especially those who’ve been busy building careers, businesses, and families while quietly outsourcing their future. This is not a financial planning session. It’s a clarity session. We talk about housing security, superannuation realities, tax structures, generational wealth, and the hidden risks that catch even successful women off guard. If you’ve ever thought, “I really should understand this better”  this episode is for you. • Why housing security matters more than your super balance • The difference between earning well and being financially secure • How super actually works — and why drifting is expensive • What “concessional”, “carry-forward”, and “Division 293” really mean • Why many high-income women underuse the system • How risk and investment choices shape long-term outcomes • The importance of having money outside super • Why inheritance should never be your retirement plan • What changes when you’re already financially comfortable • How to take strategic ownership without becoming an expert • The questions every woman should be able to ask her adviser You don’t need to manage your own investments, but you do need to understand your position. Outsourcing your future completely is not a strategy. Clarity, structure, and informed decision-making are what protect your freedom later in life. • Australian Taxation Office (ATO) — Super rules and contribution limits • ASIC MoneySmart — Retirement calculators and guidance • ASFA Retirement Standard — Lifestyle benchmarks • Services Australia — Age Pension information