A comfortable retirement is a concern for about 50% of Australians, with women often carrying the greatest financial anxiety as they approach retirement.
Margaret* (64) and her husband Bill* (69) live in their much-loved family home in Blackburn, Victoria. Bill retired several years ago, and once their youngest daughter finished VCE, Margaret returned to teaching full-time at a local primary school.
She plans to work for a couple more years, but she dreams of having the freedom to travel outside peak school holiday periods, when prices surge and crowds grow.
Like many Australians, Margaret and Bill still have mortgage repayments to make. Margaret feels torn. She knows she should probably keep working, yet she also wants to enjoy life while she and Bill still have the health and energy to do so.
Deep down, she knows she won’t be able to save enough in the next few years to clear the mortgage. And with uncertainty in the property market, they don’t feel the timing is right to sell. They’d prefer to sit tight and ride out the current storm.
Bill receives a part-pension, and expects this will increase once Margaret stops working, but higher borrowing costs and the increasing cost of everyday essentials weigh on her mind.
Margaret is far from alone. Thousands of women are navigating this same transition: the kids have left home, retirement is fast approaching, and the silent question becomes, “How can we make this all work?”
I met Margaret and Bill through our mutual friends. Over a cup of tea, we talked about what life might look like once Margaret stops working, and what options they actually have.
Very quickly, it became clear they had more choices than they realised.
Over many years they had quietly built significant equity in their home without really thinking about it. This equity is their ‘home wealth’, and it can be used strategically to bolster retirement income.
Margaret asked about using super to reduce their mortgage. We explored that idea, but also discussed:
If you’re asking similar questions, we’ve prepared a free guide that explains each of these options in plain English.
We didn’t make any decisions that day—and that’s the point.
What changed was Margaret’s confidence. She knows she does not have to confront these changes on her own.
She left feeling more confident, with a clearer understanding of the options available to her.
She now knows that completely paying off the mortgage before retiring may not be realistic, but that doesn’t mean she has to keep working forever. She has the beginnings of a practical retirement plan.
You can also get a clear picture of where you stand—not a vague feeling, but a genuine understanding of your options.
That’s what Money at 60 is here for. We help Australians aged 60 and over understand how their home wealth can be used to support a more comfortable retirement.
It’s simply a conversation, at your pace, and your family is always welcome to be part of it.
Explore your options, our e‑book breaks down the different ways to access home equity and what each one means for your long‑term finances.
As the Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Money at 60, Chris Moutzikis serves as a dedicated Retirement Funding Specialist. He is committed to assisting Australians aged 60 and over in navigating their financial future with clarity and confidence, prioritising education well before any product is considered. For a relaxed discussion about your retirement goals at a pace that suits you, visit Chris and his team at moneyat60.com.
Money at 60 is a credit assistance provider, not a lender. CRN 577820. Authorised under Invictus Finance Solutions Pty Ltd, ACL 392962. Content is general in nature and not personal financial advice.
(* Not their real names)
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