Ready to retire? Brighter Super seminar helps Queenslanders prepare for life after work
30 April 2025
Retirement is a big step and knowing how much you’ll need to retire comfortably can be daunting. According to Brighter Super calculations, a single person needs $502,000 and a couple $660,000 to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle upon retirement1. These figures were shared at our recent Ready To Retire Seminar, where members gathered to gain clarity and support for the journey ahead.
Targeted at those planning to retire within the next five years, the seminar brought together Brighter Super experts and guest presenters from SuperFriend at Brisbane’s Pullman Hotel. The goal? To give pre-retirees not just the numbers, but the confidence, strategies and support they need to navigate the transition into retirement - financially, mentally and emotionally.
Real conversations, real concerns
Brighter Super Chief Executive Officer Kate Farrar opened the session by acknowledging the psychological and financial uncertainty many pre-retirees face as they approach this significant life transition.
“So many of us are asking the same questions: Will I have enough? What will my life look like without work? And what happens if I retire earlier than expected?” Ms Farrar said. “This seminar was about creating a safe space to ask those questions and feel supported.”
The event responded directly to insights from the Brighter Super & Investment Trends 2024 Retirement Income Report, which found 47% of Australian pre-retirees feel unprepared for retirement, with confidence at a 10-year low. Four out of five pre-retirees are seeking more support on retirement planning, growing their superannuation and investment strategies.
Looking beyond numbers
Brighter Super’s Head of Retirement, Jennifer McSpadden, encouraged attendees to think about retirement as more than just a financial shift.
“People can spend 30 years or more in retirement and that’s potentially longer than their entire working life,” Ms McSpadden said. “That makes super critical for supporting the lifestyle you want, but it's also just one part of the equation.”
She explained that financial comfort in retirement often depends on lifestyle expectations, spending patterns and how long retirement lasts but being psychologically prepared is just as important.
“In a first for Brighter Super, we’re not only helping members plan the financial side of retirement, but we’re also supporting their significant life transition. That’s vital for wellbeing,” she said.
“For those who’ve worked in the same industry for decades, retirement can bring a shift in identity. You may start to reflect on your legacy, and how you want to spend your time, especially once the initial six months pass.”
Many Australians retire earlier than expected, which can add to the uncertainty. “That’s why we were so pleased to have SuperFriend join us,” she added. “They brought valuable perspectives to help our members navigate the mental and emotional side of this life stage.”
Advice from the experts
Brighter Super Senior Manager of Regional Growth, Rebecca Harvey, and organisational psychologist, Bri Hayllar, on behalf of SuperFriend, joined the panel to offer tips, tools and insights.
Bri’s session, Building a bridge to retirement, struck a chord with the crowd, offering practical strategies for wellbeing and mental resilience.
The most common questions on the night included:
- How much do I need to retire?
- How do I improve my retirement outcome?
- How much am I likely to receive from super in retirement?
- Information on the Government Age Pension.
One attendee shared, "It was so reassuring to hear that others are in the same boat. I walked away with a checklist, a plan, and a bit more peace of mind."
Supporting members every step of the way
As a fund dedicated to helping Queenslanders retire well, Brighter Super continues to invest in education, advice and retirement solutions, including the Retire Easy Pension, the Retirement Reward, and a team of superannuation specialists across the state.
This commitment has recently been recognised by industry, when Brighter Super was named a finalist in Super Review’s 2024 Super Fund of the Year Awards for Adviser Servicing, Retirement Offering of the Year and we were named the winner for Member Education. We also received Canstar’s 2024 Outstanding Value Award for our Account Based Pension, highlighting the strong value we provide in retirement.
Want to attend a similar event?
We host a range of webinars and free seminars across Queensland to help make super easy to understand. Find out more or register to attend
- Figures created by Brighter Super based on an amalgamation of the ‘ASFA Retirement Standard detailed budget breakdown’, figures current as at the September quarter 2024, and the ‘ASFA Retirement Standard Explainer’ for the lump sums recommended for age 67 retirees, current as at 1 February 2025. The retirement income figures have been calculated based on the September 2024 quarter ASFA Retirement Standard figures rounded to the nearest thousand. The estimated balances required at retirement are based on the assumption of a retired single person or a couple who own their own home and are without significant medical expenses and non-financial assets of $25,000 (home contents/car) and non-cash/other assets. The calculations include allowance for estimated eligible Government Age Pension entitlements. The Economic assumptions used in the calculations include an average return on account-based pension balances of 6.7% pa (based on Balanced pension option net of investment fees and 0.18% pa administration fees), 2.5% p.a. inflation of retirement income and Age Pension means testing thresholds and 3.7% p.a. inflation of maximum Age Pension payment rates. These standards are used for illustrative purposes only. We recommend seeking personal advice prior to making any financial decisions.
Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484 AFS Licence No. 230511) (“Trustee”) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (“Fund”). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund. This media release provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your needs prior to making any decisions and consult a licensed financial advisor if you require advice. Obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before making any decision to acquire any products. Visit
https://www.brightersuper.com.au/pds-and-guides
