The 10 most FAQs of the 'new midlife'
I sit down with researcher and 60-something, Susan Bell to explore the 10 most asked questions people in their 60s are grappling with — and what they reveal about life in this new midlife chapter.
What are Australians really thinking as they hit their 60s?
This week on Prime Time, I’m joined by social researcher Susan Bell — one of Australia’s leading retiree research experts (and a 60-something herself)— to unpack her latest report: The 10 Life-Changing Questions Asked by People in Their Sixties.
After spending years interviewing people across Australia, Susan noticed something striking: the same 10 questions kept surfacing, quietly but consistently.
These aren’t the questions we’re used to hearing about midlife. But they reveal so much about how this chapter is evolving — and the very real emotional, practical and identity shifts we’re navigating as we live longer lives.
In this conversation, we walk through each of the 10 questions, talk about what they mean beneath the surface, and explore why midlife deserves its own space and consideration. You might find that you’ve also been asking the same questions yourself.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Highlights of the conversation:
What nobody tells you about turning 60
When Susan turned 60, she realised how little industry and government understood about this life stage — so she set out to change that. Her research reveals the real questions people are asking in their 60s, and why we need to take them seriously.The unspoken questions we’re all carrying
“Am I doing this right? Have I made the right choice?” Many of the most common midlife questions are wrapped in uncertainty — and most of us have never said them out loud. Susan explains why naming them can be the first step toward clarity.The fork-in-the-road feeling of midlife
In our 60s, we face more choices than ever before — and far less guidance. Susan reflects on the multiple paths people could take, and the quiet pressure to “get it right” in a phase that doesn’t have just one answer.Why midlife is more like new parenthood than you think
Preparing for retirement is less like an end point and more like becoming a parent for the first time — exciting, unstructured, full of unknowns. So why don’t we treat it with the same care and preparation?You can’t solve a problem you haven’t defined
There’s support out there — but people don’t always know what they need help with. We talk about the vacuum that exists when you enter retirement, and why defining your problem is half the work.The new life of older Australians
This generation is working longer, easing into retirement gradually, and embracing a mix of paid work, caring responsibilities, and community engagement. It’s time the systems around us caught up.Learning how to spend in retirement
We talk a lot about saving for retirement — but not enough about how to spend well. Many people hit 60 with access to their super, but no clear guidance on how to use it meaningfully and sustainably.
From Bec’s Desk
Three big things to share with you this week - as we push into a big weekend of footy - go the Lions!! I’m back editing through this weekend - hopefully for the LAST TIME in a while!
We’ve just launched the last How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course for the year. It starts on the 6th November and it will be a NEW UPDATED COURSE built around the NEW UPDATED EDITION of the book that comes out in December! You can book a seat at our 25% off Earlybird price while it’s on - there’s only 200 Earlybird spots and they’re already booking very fast. Find out more and book here.
The Epic Retirement Tick launches next week — first on our podcast and then on Today Extra, Thursday morning, 2 October. We’ve set 18 criteria to evaluate your super fund as you head into retirement. To bring rigour and credibility, I’ve partnered with Chant West, one of Australia’s most respected superannuation ratings companies, to do the assessment. Only funds that meet at least 12 of the 18 criteria will be awarded the Tick — a clear signal that they’re better prepared to support you through retirement. You can sign up for the free report here.
I’m headed to Sydney for a couple of events next week! I hope I see you there!
I’m headed to Kinokuniya in the centre of Sydney on the 1st October at 7pm for an author talk and you’re invited. It’s an event all about Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife - and we’re going to talk through a few of the biggest lessons. Come along to this free event - places are limited - please RSVP here.
And on the 2nd October I’m coming to Harry Harthog Narellan (greater Sydney) for an evening event and book talk about Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife, from 5pm-7pm. More information and RSVP here.
Until next week - make your Prime Time count!
And if you haven’t already got it, get your copy of Prime Time: 27 Lessons for the New Midlife here. It’s still flying off shelves faster than a half-price wine sale.