Stop working, keep earning
Did you know that when you retire, while you may have stopped working – you can continue to get paid – potentially tax free?!
Before we dive into this week’s podcast, I want to share a little message from our sponsor, Aware Super:
Did you know your super fund can be your retirement fund?
Do you know what you’ll do with your money when you retire? Take it out as a lump sum? Or put it in the bank?
Well did you know that you can actually retire with your super fund!
Opening a Retirement Income account allows you to stop working but keep earning – tax free! Plus, you’ll be keeping your money with a team of 150+ investment experts to manage which means more time and money to enjoy your new retirement rhythm.
DISCLAIMER: Retirement income and investment earnings aren’t guaranteed. Payments cease when account balance is depleted. Consider if Aware Super is right for you and the PDS and TMD at aware.com.au. Issued by Aware Super Pty Ltd, trustee of Aware Super.
Stop working, keep earning
Welcome back to Prime Time! In this episode, Emelia and I are diving into one of the most common questions we get: Can I stop working… but still keep the income flowing? The answer? Absolutely—but it's probably not in the way you think.
We’re unpacking the magic of layering your income in retirement—how money keeps flowing in after the paychecks stop, and why understanding your income layers is one of the most powerful financial shifts you can make as you transition into retirement.
We also bust some myths about passive income, talk about how super actually works once you hit retirement, and explain why your home is already one of your biggest investments. Whether you're planning to downshift, semi-retire, or hang up your boots entirely, this episode gives you a clear, calm way to start thinking about your future cash flow.
And we’re joined by Kat McPhee from our sponsor Aware Super to talk about how a retirement income account works and why it might be the easiest “passive income” play you didn’t know you had access to.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Highlights of the conversation:
Why “passive income” in retirement is simpler than you think
(Hint: You’ve already set a lot of it up—you just didn’t realise.)Understanding income layering
I break down how your age pension, super, work income, investments, and even concessions can all stack together.The truth about the Age Pension
It’s not a dirty word—it’s a key layer for many Australians. I explain how it works and what to expect.Your super in retirement
We cover drawdowns, tax-free income, and how to keep your super invested and earning after you stop working.Investing outside super
We talk about using investments outside super to bridge the gap before you can access super or age pension payments.Avoiding bad investment decisions
I explain the importance of diversification and taking a long-term view—no punting allowed.Why your family home matters
We touch on why your home is your biggest (and most tax-effective) investment, and how to think about it in retirement planning.Superannuation expert, Kat McPhee explains retirement income accounts
Kat shares the ins and outs of transitioning your super into the retirement phase—and why it could be the smartest move you make.Can you be retired and still work?
We dig into what it actually means to be “retired” under the rules—and why you might still want to work a bit.
This one is packed. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how you’ll actually replace your income after you stop working, this is the episode for you.