In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by Tahli — educator, retirement specialist and long-time member of the Rask team. After working with hundreds of Australians approaching retirement, Tahli has seen the same patterns over and over again. Most people feel unprepared. Many feel intimidated by the jargon. And almost everyone worries they’ve “left it too late”. This conversation cuts through the noise and gives listeners a clear, calm starting point for planning the next stage of life. Together, Gemma and Tahli unpack what retirement really looks like in Australia, the biggest misconceptions, and the practical steps that matter most in your 50s and 60s. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why so many people walk away from retirement chats feeling more confused than when they started - How to map out your own personal balance sheet to work out where you stand - Why lifestyle planning is just as important as the numbers - What “asset rich, cash poor” means and why it catches so many retirees by surprise - How Centrelink treats things like granny flat arrangements and family support - The biggest myth about retirement planning and why relying on “it’ll sort itself out” can derail your goals - What to focus on if you're five to ten years away from finishing full-time work - How to engage with your super fund and what questions to ask right now - Why diversification is about more than investment choices — and how different structures can create flexibility later in life - Simple tools and exercises that help people get clarity, including the spreadsheet Tahli uses with her own clients If you’re ready to understand how retirement works, feel more confident, and make the next decade easier to navigate, this episode is for you. Resources for this episode Retirement Mastery Course https://education.rask.com.au/courses/retirement-academy Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”- https://amzn.to/42Uz0aK Ask a question (select the Finance podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds:  https://bit.ly/beta-25 Rask resources All services: https://bit.ly/R-services Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg