The power of setting goals – retiring your way

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Setting goals: a retirement target to aim for

Imagine getting into a car for a driving holiday but not knowing where you’re going. You’ll get somewhere, but is it really where you wanted to go? That’s like heading towards retirement without any goals. Setting goals helps you understand what you want from the future and how to get there. It shapes the decisions you make. Goals give you a roadmap for retirement, providing the focus, motivation and confidence to take control of your future.

Two thirds of people who set specific goals for how much they need to save for retirement feel confident about living well in retirement¹.


Just like writer's block, ‘retirement block’ is common. Maybe the idea of retirement feels unsettling or overwhelming, making it hard to know where to start. Or maybe it’s difficult to think about what you want from retirement while you’re juggling a mortgage, still supporting adult children or caring for aging parents. That’s where goal setting comes in.

Your retirement lifestyle

Getting started is easier than you think. Start by imagining the retirement you want. Download our simple-to-use template and use the first page to jot down your thoughts about what you’re looking forward to in retirement.

Start small but start today.

Consider things like travel and holidays, sport and recreation, part-time work, and time with family and friends.

Smart steps to turn goals into reality

There’s a reason retirement can sit on the horizon for decades before it comes into focus – it's one of life’s most significant transitions. The decisions we make about retirement now shape how we want to live.

Creating goals for the retirement you want has a direct impact on how you feel about the future. Goals make your journey to retirement feel manageable, giving you motivation and confidence along the way. Most importantly, setting goals and making actionable plans to reach them helps you aim to achieve the best retirement outcomes.

An interview: Retiring with confidence – why your wellbeing matters

AustralianSuper’s General Manager, Retirement, Shane Hancock spoke with psychologist Dr Elizabeth Clancy from Transitioning Well about how goal setting is crucial to achieving a rewarding retirement. Read on for an extract from the August 2024 interview4 or scroll down to the media player listen to the full podcast episode.

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