Prepare for Life – Autumn 2025: The Generation Redefining Ageing

Autumn 2025 Edition

From lifestyle to financial strategy and investing through market turbulence, this quarter’s Prepare for Life explores how today’s generation is redefining ageing, navigating retirement with confidence, and staying steady through economic uncertainty.

The Generation Redefining Ageing

As we advance through the 21st century, the traditional view of ageing is being completely reframed. Baby Boomers and Gen Xers—once pioneers of pop culture, social change, and innovation—are now transforming what it means to grow older.

Gone are the days when turning 60 meant winding down. Today’s retirees are embracing longevity, vitality, and personal reinvention. From prioritising health to pursuing education and new ventures, they're proving that age is just a number.

A New Mindset

Studies show that those who feel younger than their actual age experience better health outcomes, higher life satisfaction, and improved cognitive function. One experiment even revealed that elderly participants who were immersed in their past environment showed improved physical capabilities, including posture and vision.

Health and Vitality

Today’s over-60s are more informed about nutrition, fitness, and mental wellbeing. Many are proactively adopting lifestyle changes that support longer, healthier lives. Australia’s life expectancy now sits at 81.1 years for men and 85.1 for women—a testament to this health-first approach.

Lifelong Learning

Age is no longer a barrier to learning. With the rise of online education and community programs, more older adults are exploring new skills, launching second careers, and making meaningful contributions through volunteering.

Challenging Ageism

Despite progress, ageism still exists. But this generation is pushing back—focusing on authenticity, personal expression, and community impact. The message is clear: ageing isn’t about stepping back, it’s about standing out.

How to Financially Ease into Retirement

Deciding when and how to retire is one of life’s major milestones—and it’s not always a simple decision. Whether you're planning a full retirement or just scaling back work, a Transition to Retirement (TTR) strategy could provide flexibility and tax benefits.

What is a TTR Strategy?

If you're aged 60 to 65 and still working, a TTR strategy allows you to:

• Supplement your income if you reduce your hours, or

• Boost your super while working full-time and save on tax.

By moving a portion of your super into an income stream account, you can draw 4–10% of your balance per year—while still contributing to your super through work.

Real-Life Examples

Alisha, age 60, reduced her work days and replaced part of her lost salary by accessing $9,000 tax-free from her TTR pension. Kyle, also 60, used a TTR strategy to salary-sacrifice more into super while withdrawing from his pension to top up his take-home pay.

TTR strategies tend to be more beneficial for those with higher super balances and marginal tax rates but can still work for others depending on circumstances.

Key Considerations

• You can’t withdraw more than 10% of your pension balance each year.

• Drawing down super early may reduce your retirement balance if not offset by contributions.

• Check on any life insurance held in your super—TTR could impact coverage.

• Always seek professional advice to ensure the strategy suits your situation.

Navigating Turbulent Times in the Share Market

With ongoing geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty, investors may feel nervous. But as Warren Buffet reminds us:

“I know what markets are going to do over a long period of time—they’re going to go up.”

The Power of Staying Invested

The philosophy of “time in the market” encourages staying the course through volatility. Trying to time markets often leads to missed opportunities. Historical data shows that over the long term, markets tend to recover and grow.

Long-Term Growth Examples

• $10,000 invested 30 years ago in Australian shares is now worth $135,000 (with dividends reinvested).

• The same investment in listed property: $95,000.

• In bonds: $52,000.

• Cash? Just $34,000.

Even the Australian housing market tells a story: 30 years ago, the average home cost under $200,000—today it’s over $1 million.

Diversification is Key

Different asset classes perform differently over time. In 2024, Australian listed property was the top performer with a 24.6% return—yet just two years earlier, it had dropped by 12.3%. A diversified portfolio helps smooth out these swings.

Short-term assets like high-interest savings accounts or term deposits can provide balance and liquidity, but may not deliver the long-term growth needed to outpace inflation.

Keep Your Cool

Staying informed is important, but emotional investing can derail your long-term plans. Review your portfolio regularly, adapt to economic changes, but stay focused on your goals—not headlines.

Final Thoughts

This edition of Prepare for Life demonstrates the significant changes that have occurred in redefining ageing, planning for retirement, and investing during times of uncertainty. Whether you're actively planning your transition or already embracing retirement, now is the time to stay informed, empowered and engaged.

If you'd like to explore any of these topics in more detail—whether that’s retirement planning, TTR strategies, or investment options—please don't hesitate to contact our team. We’re here to support you at every life stage.

This publication contains information and advice of a general nature only and does not consider your particular objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider if it is appropriate for your situation before acting on it. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and consider seeking the assistance of an authorised financial adviser before making any decision regarding any products mentioned in this publication.

Prepare for Life is a publication of ClearView Financial Advice Pty Limited ABN 89 133 593 012, AFSL 331 367 a wholly owned subsidiaries of Centrepoint AllianceLtd. The information is derivedfrom sources believed to be accurate and current at the publication date and may be subject to change. While all care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, to the extent permitted by law, no warranty is given in respect of the information