Five game-changing tips for everyone retiring this year
And an end of year message to wrap up our last Epic Retirement newsletter of 2024.
In this edition
Course: The next program is kicking off on the 13th February 2025
Feature: Five game-changing tips for everyone retiring this year
From Bec’s Desk: It’s the last Epic Retirement newsletter of 2024
Prime Time: Bec’s mailbag: Your questions answered
6 weeks of epic retirement education AND six live Q&As with the retirement industry's best
The How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course for February 2025 is booking up. And the reason why I think that is is that it is more than just a course.
I want you to grasp the big lessons, but I also want you to develop your curiosity and confidence, learning about this stage from other experts too.
So I've asked a really respected selection of retirement industry experts along for one live Q&A per week during the six weeks of the course. This is in addition to the 14 module course program + 150 page workbook, a signed copy of How to Have an Epic Retirment and so much more (see below).
There’s a 25% early bird discount for a limited time, but it won’t last.
The course kicks off on the 13th February 2025.
Want to learn more or download our NEW brochure? ➡️ visit the website here
Here’s what some of the 650+ people who’ve completed the course in 2024 already say about it.
So glad I took the plunge to do this course. I has given me greater confidence about how I would like to approach my own epic retirement. The content was practical and very informative. I will be recommending to my friends." -- Jack
This course has changed the way I think about the next twenty years. I am so excited by the potential of what I want to achieve in the future - as if I was a twenty-year-old again. Thank you Bec - your course has provided me with so much to think about and the resources to find all the answers to my queries. What a difference your course has made to my confidence and future happiness." -- Gail
There’s lots more testimonials in the brochure.
Five game-changing tips for everyone retiring this year
I’ve got some food for thought for everyone stepping into their Prime Time or Epic Retirement right now.
To everyone retiring this month and next – congratulations!
What an incredible week it has been! Every few minutes in The Epic Retirement Club, someone has shared their big news: “I just finished my last shift!” “I’ve retired after 39 years as a teacher!” “I can’t believe it—I’ve just retired!”
From all corners of the globe, these announcements have been flooding our Facebook group, each one brimming with excitement and emotion. It’s enough to send chills down your spine and maybe even bring a little tear to your eye—the pure joy and anticipation in every single post is just infectious.
This week, to go with my Christmas message, I’ve got some food for thought for everyone stepping into their Prime Time or Epic Retirement right now. You’ve truly inspired me with your energy and enthusiasm. In fact, I’ve decided to officially name this time of year “Epic Retirement Week”—the week before Christmas break-up—every single year from now on.
As you head into this new phase, here are five little pieces of food-for-thought to carry with you into Christmas and beyond:
1. Time is now your currency – spend it wisely
For years, your life has been shaped by work obligations, family commitments, and the need to earn money. But now, as you sail into your Epic Retirement or Prime Time, it’s time to realise that time is your most valuable currency.
Spend it intentionally, doing things that feel meaningful to you—especially in these early days. A great way to start is by making a simple list:
Things that will give you a return on your time (joy, purpose, connection).
Things that won’t (the ones you’re ready to let go of).
Some ideas:
Make a weekly date with family members you love but haven’t had enough time for.
Dive into a hobby you’ve been putting off—or rekindle an old one.
Create a morning routine that brings you joy instead of the rush out the door.
2. Retirement isn’t a destination – it’s just the beginning
Many of you have been aiming for retirement like it’s the finish line. But here’s the truth: getting here is just the start. The good bits begin now—but only if you make them happen.
Think of this as the second (or third) act of your life. It’s a time to be curious about what’s possible:
What skills do you want to build or use in this phase?
How can you fill your days with things that light you up—like volunteering, joining a social group, or exploring a part-time job?
If it’s all too overwhelming — just pick one or two things to try on for size.
3. Start with a ‘bridge’ project to ease the transition
It’s natural to want a bit of downtime after years of work. But I challenge you to find something to jumpstart your retirement—a bridge project to help you transition.
Having something to focus on, whether it’s physical or mental, can reduce that feeling of irrelevance some people experience when they suddenly stop working (or recognise they have three months later). It gives you a sense of connection and purpose while you adjust to this new chapter and find the next things.
Ideas for a bridge project:
Tackle a home renovation or decluttering project.
Research and write your family history.
Start learning a new language and plan a trip to use it.
4. Let spending reflect your values
Yes, financial planning matters. But retirement isn’t just about money—it’s about living intentionally.
Take a moment to reflect on your spending habits. Are they aligned with what you truly care about? Use this time to reset your financial goals to match your values:
Invest in experiences over things—your future self will thank you for the memories.
Prioritise your health—it’s your greatest asset now.
Enjoy life now, while still saving wisely for later.
5. Give yourself grace – change can be messy
Retirement can feel a bit like stepping off a treadmill that’s been running for decades. It might be exhilarating, disorienting, or even unsettling. And that’s okay.
Give yourself time to find your rhythm. Embrace the mix of feelings—excitement, discomfort, even sadness—and allow them to flow through you. This is a season of self-discovery, so be patient with yourself.
Two big things to keep in mind:
You may need a few months just to relax and decompress.
You might try new things and realise they’re not for you—and that’s perfectly fine.
Lean into this phase with curiosity, not judgement. The beauty of your Prime Time and your Epic Retirement is that it’s yours to shape, one day at a time — because hopefully you have the financial confidence to not be led by the need to work anymore.
Congratulations again—your Epic Retirement or Prime Time is here. Here’s to making this Christmas and the year ahead truly unforgettable!
It’s the last Epic Retirement newsletter of 2024
What a year it has been! I have to start by saying thankyou to each and every one of you.
I have so much to be grateful for, excited about, and proud of as we wrap up 2024. But mostly, I’m just incredibly thrilled with the amazing interest in How to Have an Epic Retirement and, more importantly, in seeing so many of you building your own epic retirements so proudly and keenly.
My book ends 2024 back in the Amazon Top 200, sold out across Australia in major retail bookstores, with another reprint already underway and plenty of orders in the queue. It’s also the #3 bestselling self-help book by an Australian author in 2024—an absolute dream come true!
The Epic Retirement Flagship Course now boasts nearly 1,000 alumni, and the reviews? Pretty much all five stars. That’s what I call an incredible first year!
The Epic Retirement Club on Facebook has grown to nearly 270,000 members worldwide and is growing like topsy. I have to give a HUGE thanks to our incredible moderation team for keeping everything running smoothly.
The Prime Time podcast has surpassed 360,000 downloads—and it’s only a year old and released weekly! A massive thank you to Nine podcasts for letting me loose. And to all our listeners for being such passionate supporters and recommenders of the show.
And to everyone who spreads the word about How to Have an Epic Retirement and everything I’m working on—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Prime Time—my next book—came back from the editor yesterday (and they didn’t change much!). I’ll be spending my holidays polishing the manuscript into its final shape, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you in 2025 as well as bring to life the international editions of How to Have an Epic Retirement which are coming to live now.
Holiday closure updates
The Epic Retirement Club (our huge Facebook group) will be taking a break from 23rd December to 7th January.
My newsletters will pause during this time as well - but not for too long — I can’t stay away.
My regular columns in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald will return on 12th January.
The Prime Time podcast finished up this week and will resume on 16th January.
In the meantime, the Epic Retirement Flagship Course is on sale with a 25% off Earlybird Deal, but time is ticking! If you want to lock in the best price, now’s the time to book your place—it’ll get a bit more expensive as we get closer to kickoff.
And don’t forget to send me your letters! I love them. Please, send them to bec@epicretirement.com.au.
Many thanks! Bec Wilson
Author, podcast host, columnist, retirement educator, and guest speaker
Bec’s mail bag: your questions answered
Hello, Primetimers! It’s the final episode of Prime Time for 2024, and we're celebrating YOU—our amazing community—with stories, questions, and reflections that define what Prime Time is all about. Join Bec and producer Gen Rule for a heartwarming finale before we return in 2025 with more exciting guests and topics to inspire your Prime Time journey.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Last of all, if you haven’t read the book, you can order your copy from Amazon online - they are still doing next day shipping in most capital cities - so you might get a copy before Christmas. It’s the only place I know there’s definitely stock available.