Retirement Made Simple: Everything you need to know

by Noel Whittaker

"You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."
CS LEWIS

Retirement can be a jungle of decision-making. Acclaimed personal finance Author, Noel Whittaker will help guide you.

What sort of assets to invest in? How long will your money last? Are you eligible for any age pension? Is downsizing right for you? How much should you spend now, and how much would you like to leave to your kids?

Add the challenges of finding the right advice, understanding new products that keep evolving, estate planning, volatile markets, unexpected events such as the GFC and COVID-19, and continual changes to our tax, superannuation, age pension and aged care regulations…

Above all, how do you value and nurture your greatest assets – your health and your relationships?

This book will be your guide for the rest of your life. In the simple style for which Noel is renowned, the book covers all the above topics and many more. It will become your indispensable guide on what we hope will be a happy, healthy and prosperous retirement.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Money

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2022

Reviews

[Mark White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never realised how complicated retirement was until I read Retirement Made Simple! There is a huge breadth of information in this book, really well presented and easy to understand. It is understandably lacking in depth but it does list sources of additional information. I have been researching other sources of retirement advice as well. They don't always agree with this book but it is at least another opinion for consideration. And it does list the many things you need to consider. One thing becomes very clear: thanks to compound interest investments you make early in your working life have a huge effect on the final outcome. So this book is an excellent resource with good advice for any stage of your life.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information for pre retirement and also when TTRing. Updated too so very relevant.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A self-help book, Retirement Made Simple: Everything You Need to Know (2024) by Noel Whittaker, provides information for those considering retirement. A word of caution, as with any self-help book, is to realise it's only information and personal professional advice is always recommended. Well-known Australian financial journalist, Noel Whittaker, has produced a reader-friendly and clear presentation of the various considerations of retirement in Australia. It has helpful charts, specific examples, pictures and even cartoons to illustrate salient points. Its eight chapters cover topics like investment, money, superannuation, taxation, pensions and estate planning. A worthwhile read that ends by noting the retirement goal is that of happiness and fulfilment, making for a four star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars, but would be more if this wasn’t a 2020 copy! Author gives good references on how to keep up to date & stresses the need to keep abreast of financial changes.

This information is relevant to anyone, but particularly from 15ish years away - heading to retirement age.

The final chapters also include interesting factors for ageing ‘well’ - mentally & physically.

This is a long book, but it’s not repetitive, and author uses relevant examples which help for clarity and explanation.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jammed packed full of information. So much so, it will require several re-reads (re-listens) to soak it all in. Probably best to read once, then go back and re-read sections that are of particular interest.

[Manuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, financial and personal advice, even health advice

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple. Comprehensive. If you're not already financially literate, you will be after reading this.

[Adel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthwhile read especially for Australians planning their retirement.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good instructional book which gives an overview and some details, of many aspects of retirement.

[Jojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book to put into to-read pile until 55. This is the book you can start at the age of 20/30s. Give you a clarity on so many financial structures in Australia and good advices.

[Colin Timbrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical informative read. Noel has a gift for making complex issues clear.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent easy-to-read guide to retirement.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some good info & to do lists

[Jason Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

wAS OK

[Leon Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing audiobook 5/5. Narration eloquent and easy listening Daniel Moore. Read again. Contains some numerical examples worth getting in textual form. Noel Whittaker teaches us how to live better as we age. He gives sound advice on wealth, health, and happiness. Very specific to Australian tax and law. Ways to minimise tax, balance risk vs reward, pros and cons of investment options and vehicles.

[Jill Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed from library - later edition currently available. Good overview of retirement issues and retirement planning.