7 retirement mistakes that can derail your plans

Are you leaving retirement to chance—or letting an assumption quietly shape a decision you may regret? In this episode of the Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen Rask and financial adviser Tahli Cavagnino turn seven common retirement mistakes into practical questions you can ask today.

They begin with planning too late: why waiting until 60 can leave less time to adjust your savings, super and spending expectations. From there, they question the idea that property will always deliver the same growth and income, especially if too much wealth is tied up in one asset.

Owen and Tahli look at the risks of carrying debt into retirement without a repayment strategy, reacting too quickly to tax headlines, and counting on shares to deliver a fixed return every year. They explain why understanding trade-offs and diversifying across assets matters more than predicting exactly what markets or policy will do next.

They also tackle the quieter mistake of doing nothing because the choices feel overwhelming. A smaller first step—checking your super, reviewing debt or mapping a retirement budget—can be more useful than waiting for a perfect plan.

Finally, they explore why retirement costs are rarely a straight line: travel, health and aged care can arrive at different times. Planning for later-life expenses matters, but so does giving yourself permission to enjoy the years you have now. Listen for a calmer, more flexible way to prepare for retirement without letting fear make every decision.

Episode resources

– ⁠⁠ASFA Comfortable Retirement Standards⁠

– ⁠Rask Wealth Checker

– ⁠Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast)⁠

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

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