Dipping your toe into retirement
Retirement doesn’t have to be a finish line you stumble across one day.
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Dipping your toe into retirement
Retirement doesn’t have to be a finish line you stumble across one day—it can be a gentle, joyful transition that you design on your terms. In this episode of Prime Time, I’m cracking open a key theme from my new book Prime Time and chatting with my producer Emelia Fuller about how to try retirement before you buy it.
From negotiating one less day of work to planning a sabbatical or exploring a "portfolio lifestyle", I’m exploring how to gradually step into the next phase of life with more freedom, more choice—and less fear.
Plus, special guest Kat McPhee from Aware Super joins the show to unpack how superannuation can support a flexible or semi-retirement lifestyle, including tax advantages, transition-to-retirement options, and how to keep your money working while you enjoy your prime time.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Highlights of the conversation:
Retirement as a continuum: Bec flips the idea of retirement being a "finish line" and suggests a phased, purpose-driven approach instead.
The power of part-timing: Why taking just one day off a week can change everything—and how to make it financially sustainable.
Sabbaticals and side quests: Bec shares her love of career breaks in your 50s and what they unlock.
Portfolio careers > traditional jobs: How people are stacking flexible roles, hobbies, volunteering and passions in their 50s and 60s.
Slashie life, redefined: From being a podcaster-author-mentor to exploring voiceovers at 55—yes, you can be a slashie at any age!
Transition to retirement tips: Kat McPhee explains how a TTR (Transition to Retirement) income stream can let you work less without earning less.
Know your rights at 55+: Under Australia’s Fair Work Act, you can ask for flexible work arrangements—and your employer must respond.
The rise of part-time retirement: Nearly 80% of people say they want it. The real question? Whether their workplace supports it.
Digital nomads, caravans, and life admin days: Creative ways listeners are testing out semi-retirement.
Super myths busted: Why you don’t need to pull your money out of super to enjoy it—and why leaving it invested often makes more sense.
Have you had some experience dipping your toe in? Tell us about it in the comments here…
Other useful links
Preorder your copy of Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife
Learn more about our Epic Retirement Flagship Course here
Listen to the Prime Time podcast on Apple Podcasts here or Spotify here
Visit the Epic Retirement Club on Facebook here
Sign up for my weekly Epic Retirement newsletter here
Order a copy of How to Have an Epic Retirement on Amazon here
At 52, after covid, my wife and I took 12 months leave without pay to caravan around Australia. 6 months in, we realised just how much we enjoyed it, and that 12 months was not even going to scratch the surface. We were both able to return to work 3 days a week, working remotely from the caravan. 3 days is a perfect fit for us to maintain our lifestyle, keep topping up our super, and continue to explore this great country. We are just about to start year four and have no desire to stop. And for those thinking about it, there is so much work out there to pick up as you travel. You never know, you might discover a new career path!
At 60 l started reducing my days, now at 65 l am about to go from a 7 day fortnight to a 4 day one. Every time l reduced a day it made such a big impact on my life and wellbeing.
This is the biggest cut back.
My work is very physical but l love what l do and feel l can keep going for another 5 years by cutting down hours as needed.