Forget what you knew: your Prime Time plays by new rules
And in today's newspapers, 'Seven steps to boost your super this tax time'
In this week’s edition:
Feature: Forget what you knew: Prime Time plays by new rules
Newspapers: Seven steps to boost your super this tax time
Podcast: 37 years in one business...and then what?
From Bec’s Desk: Warmth in the cold
Forget what you knew: your Prime Time plays by new rules
If you’ve followed my writing or read my books, you’ve heard me talk about the six pillars of an Epic Retirement more times than you can count. It’s the framework I use to help people build the retirement they want - and the order matters. I always start with “time”: helping people picture their lifespan, their healthspan, and what they might do with the years ahead. Then comes financial confidence — how money works, and how to make it work for you. Only after that do we talk about health, happiness, travel, and finally, housing — and how to live somewhere you can age well.
If I had to write How to Have an Epic Retirement all over again (and yes, I will be soon), I wouldn’t change that structure. It works. It’s clear, and it gives people a roadmap.
But when I sat down to write my new book - Prime Time: 27 Lessons for Midlife - I needed a whole new framework. One for people in their late 40s, 50s and 60s who aren’t just waiting for retirement. They’re building something now. And for many of them, an “epic retirement” is not the goal - or at least, not yet. They want a bigger, better life before retirement. They want more fun, more flexibility, and to do more of what matters while they’re still working. This is a different generation, and their money story is different too.
Why Gen X is in a different position
Unlike the Boomers who are now retiring, today’s 50-somethings have had superannuation for longer and at higher rates. They’re likely to reach retirement with more in their super - but only if they learn how it works and make some smart moves in these powerful midlife years. And that’s the real opportunity: if we help people understand their money and choices earlier, they can do so much more with their lives now and later.
That’s where the idea of Prime Time comes in. It’s the chapter before your epic retirement - and it might just be the best one yet.
The six pillars of Prime Time
Here’s a sneak peek at the new framework I built for Prime Time - a guide to making the most of these midlife years.
1. Power
For the first time in a long time, you might actually have some power - over your time, your work, your money, your future. But to use it well, you need to recognise it. That means updating your mental models, letting go of outdated decision-making templates, and learning how longer lives, more super, and more options change the game. It’s about becoming a little more selfish - in the best ways - and giving yourself permission to enjoy this next stage of life.
2. Money
Midlife is your financial pivot point. The decisions you make now can change everything - for your future and for your freedom. This is the time to stop being passive about super, investments, spending and saving. Learn the foundations of financial confidence, and then build the new midlife money lessons on top. You’ve got time, you’ve got options - and it’s time to use both.
3. Work, purpose and happiness
This isn’t about giving up work. It’s about reshaping it to serve the life you actually want. It might mean working less, learning something new, or finding more meaningful work that gives you energy instead of draining it. This is the moment to redefine success on your own terms - not promotions and pay rises, but purpose, autonomy, and joy.
4. Health
This is the non-negotiable one. You need your body and mind to carry you through the decades ahead. Use the science of modern ageing, take a preventive approach, and stay strong, flexible and energised. Longevity isn’t just about years - it’s about quality of life.
5. Family and community
Many Prime Timers are the meat in the sandwich - supporting ageing parents, raising or launching kids, and trying to protect their own relationships and sanity in the middle of it all. This is the time to rebalance. Nurture your adult relationships with your kids. Give your parents a good final chapter. And show up for your partner - or rediscover what brought you together in the first place.
6. Adventure
Don’t let life go beige in the middle. Say yes to the trips, the movement, the unknown. These are your best active years - so ski, hike, climb, backpack, caravan, road trip, motorbike, explore. Travel now in ways you might not want to (or be able to) later.
Midlife is not a waiting room
Prime Time is the stage before retirement - but it’s not a warm-up. It’s a life stage in its own right. If you do it well, it can be just as good as retirement, maybe even better. Because you’ve still got energy, opportunity, and power - and now you’ve got permission too.
I’m so excited to share this new framework and everything that comes with it. And today marks 45 days until the book is released.
Stay tuned.
It’s back! The Epic Retirement Flagship Course kicks off this August — and Earlybird is officially ON 🔥
If you’ve been thinking about getting serious (but not boring-serious) about your next chapter, now’s the time. My 6-week How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course has already helped thousands of Aussies set themselves up for a retirement that’s smart, secure, and actually fun - with real strategies for money, time, health, happiness, travel, and how to age well in your own home.
🎟️ Earlybird spots are now open - and they’re 25% off.
They won’t last long, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. So if this is your season, jump in now and lock it in at the best price.
👉 Check it out here and download the new brochure for Spring 2025
Let’s make your retirement epic.
Warmth in the cold
This weekend I spoke at the Open Day for Lifestyle Woodlea - in Melbourne. In fact, I’m writing this on the plane home, high on adrenaline after what turned into a big, beautiful event. I was meant to speak for 45 minutes… but in true Bec style, I ended up going for an hour and a quarter. Oops. But I promise - the room was buzzing! Sparkling eyes, great questions, real engagement. I can talk about this stuff for hours and never get tired.
Now that the dopamine is wearing off and I’m headed home in time for Saturday night dinner (phew!), I want to tell you some of my exciting news. Because honestly, I love sharing things with you — this community feels like my team. Being an author can be lonely sometimes, and it means a lot to have you along for the ride.
We’re off to a flying start
My publisher called me on Friday with some amazing news: the response to Prime Time has been incredible. Pre-orders are tracking well above expectations — and there’s still 45 days to go before it hits shelves! Apparently, Australians don’t usually pre-order in big numbers, but you’ve completely turned that idea on its head. There are already a huge number of pre-orders, and there’s still 45 days until the book is officially out. How exciting is that?!
Because the buzz is catching on, you can now pre-order from a few different places:
Amazon ($24) – Order here
Booktopia ($28.50) – I’ll be signing all Booktopia pre-orders! Order here
Big W ($24) – Order here
And here’s a small favour to ask… if you get an early copy, would you consider leaving a quick review on Amazon or Goodreads once you get it and have a flick? A few honest, personal reviews can go a long way in spreading the word — and I’d love it if you became my “buzz club”. (Yep, that’s a real thing. Authors in other categories have them!) We already have the Epic Retirement Club… now we can have buzz too.
Big milestone: the UK edition is done!
This week I hit a huge behind-the-scenes milestone: I sent off the finished manuscript for the UK edition of How to Have an Epic Retirement.
Yes - I’ve been rewriting it under the radar for months! The whole book has been adapted completely for UK readers, and I’m thrilled to say that Hachette’s UK team has officially said yes, we want it. Now we’re just waiting on the publication date so we can get it into stores and start spreading the word.
Let me tell you - I’ve learned SO much about the UK State Pension system (and yes, we Aussies really should be thankful for 33 years of compulsory super…).
Audiobook done. Podcast recorded. Buzz building.
I’ve also finished the final pickups on the Prime Time audiobook - the last bits where I had to re-record the occasional fluffed line or mispronunciation. It’s officially in the can. Whoohoo!
And I’ve recorded a full preview podcast series about Prime Time too - so keep an ear out for that coming very soon.
A little breather (and a lot of deep gratitude)
I’m prepping to take a few weeks off before Prime Time hits shelves at the end of July. I’ll be a little quieter through late June and early July - just stepping back to rest, recharge, and live my own version of Prime Time. (My shoulders are still recovering from all the time hunched over a mic and laptop!)
If I skip a newsletter or two, I hope you’ll understand. They’ll be back on track soon - and when the book comes out on 30 July, I’ll be back at full speed.
Until then, you can follow along on Instagram or Facebook for a few photos of me thoroughly enjoying my Prime Time.
Puppy update
And for those who’ve been following I realised I forgot to tell you that my 12-year-old dog has made a FULL recovery! It took 3-4 months to go from completely flaccid paralysis to walking, but he’s following me everywhere again! He can’t do stairs yet but I think even they might be in his future.
So, on that note — have a lovely weekend!
Bec x
If you’ve been thinking about joining the Spring Edition of the course, now’s the time. 👉 All the details are here. There’s a downloadable brochure and you can book your place here too.
Until next week, make it epic!
Bec
Got thoughts this week — send an email to bec@epciretirement.net. I read every one.
Cheers, Bec Wilson
Author, podcast host, columnist, retirement educator, and guest speaker
Seven tips to boost your super this tax time
Extract of article published in print in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times, WA Today on Sunday 15 June 2025.
Most people don’t think about their super until something shifts. A milestone birthday. A serious conversation about retiring. A market wobble that makes them nervous.
But with the end of the financial year fast approaching – and the super guarantee about to rise to 12 per cent – this is the perfect time to take a closer look. Think about the tax you’re paying, the income you’re building, and whether your super is really set up to support your next chapter.
You don’t need to overhaul your whole retirement plan. But a few smart tweaks before June 30 could save you tax, grow your future income, and make sure your super is actually working for your life, not stuck in the settings you picked 20 years ago.
So whether you’re in your 50s, 60s or already retired, here’s what’s worth reviewing now.
(READ ON… my articles are never paywalled for Aussies in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald. )
In this energising episode, I sit down with the ever-curious and inspiring Mike Chesworth, who spent 37 years at Westpac-finishing his career as Head of Financial Advice-before stepping boldly into a new life chapter, his epic retirement. Since then? Banjo lessons, photojournalism, bike-building for kids with disabilities, gravel cycling adventures, and a big dose of bush travel.
We talk about planning early, resisting the identity trap of corporate life, and why curiosity and nimbleness might just be the two most important skills in retirement. It’s honest, wise, and a whole lot of fun.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Hi Bec, so happy to hear your puppy has made a full recovery. The power of love❤️
How about addressing the oddities of retirement. By this I mean, financial abuse….there is nothing much written on this, not everyone can have their ducks in a row even though they intended to.