![\"Nina](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/878b549fc6a6f844c2c0f193277f3b4a9dc0c052.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
April 7, 2026 \u2014 10:53am<\/p>\n
Save<\/p>\n
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n
Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Advertising copywriter Marcus Johnson turns 70 this year. He\u2019s enjoyed an illustrious career working for some of Melbourne\u2019s most prestigious advertising agencies, but given the current state of his superannuation, he\u2019s not contemplating retirement anytime soon.<\/p>\n He continues to work as many hours as he can each week, contributing to his super. But it was a decade ago that Johnson realised retiring in his mid-60s \u2013 like millions of workers do \u2013 would not be possible.<\/p>\n \u201cThe super industry will tell you that the market has ups and downs, but I don\u2019t have 20 years to wait that out,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe money just isn\u2019t there, and it\u2019s getting harder to earn the older I get because the industry is ageist.\u201d<\/p>\n Working late<\/p>\n The average retirement age has increased in Australia<\/a> over the past two decades. Men tend to retire around 65, while women just a year younger at 64. But as the cost-of-living crisis drags on and warnings of economic turmoil due to the US war with Iran, more and more Australians are facing the prospect of working well beyond that.<\/p>\n Editor’s pick Today, more than 3.3 million working Australians won\u2019t be able to afford to retire at the traditional retirement age of 67, according to new research from Finder.<\/p>\n Marcus says his employer paid his super for years. But he lost half in a divorce, battled a bout of cancer, was retrenched from his job and lost another chunk during the global financial crisis. He would love to take an overseas trip with his second wife but admits that\u2019s not going to happen any time soon.<\/p>\n He\u2019s done plenty of copywriting for superannuation brands, so understands the difficult relationship people have with their super. \u201cPeople just shy away from super, even though it counts for 12 per cent of what you earn,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Grandmother Kim Kleidon is in the same boat. The communications consultant from Mackay in Queensland spent years in corporate roles but now at 58, she has less than half of what she should have in her retirement fund.<\/p>\n Kleidon admits she has four different superannuation accounts, meaning that fees and charges have eroded what she has built over the years.<\/p>\n \u201cLuckily, I love where I live, and don\u2019t have any grand schemes to travel the world or caravan around Australia. That doesn\u2019t appeal to me and I love to work.\u201d<\/p>\n She is adamant that she\u2019s got plenty offer. \u201cI believe workplaces are realising the value of wisdom and maturity that older people can offer, which we\u2019ve lost over the decades.\u201d<\/p>\n No balance Finder\u2019s research found that most workers aged 30 or older don\u2019t think they will have enough money in super or other investments to stop working by 67.<\/p>\n \u201cMillions of Australians are facing the possibility that retirement will arrive before their savings are ready. For some, working past 67 won\u2019t be a choice \u2013 it will be a financial necessity,\u201d says Alison Banney, superannuation expert at Finder.<\/p>\n Finder\u2019s Wealth Building Report<\/a> found that a 30-year-old who increases their individual contributions by $5000 a year (equivalent to $96 a week), until retirement age, could have an extra $693,039 in their superannuation when they reach 65.<\/p>\n However, this well-intended advice around boosting your super with extra contributions does not consider that many people are already too stretched to be able to cover their household bills.<\/p>\n Related Article Banney warns: \u201cIf you\u2019re not keeping an eye on how your super is performing, you could miss out on the equivalent of a full year\u2019s pay \u2013 or even more \u2013 by the time you reach retirement.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to review your fund every year to see how it stacks up against others and whether its investment strategy still matches where you\u2019re at in life.\u201d<\/p>\n At the very least, roll any super into one fund to reduce fees and charges and make sure your fund is a strong performer.<\/p>\n To enjoy a comfortable retirement, singles typically need about $595,000 in super, while couples need $690,000, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia. Bear in mind that these figures assume you own your own home and are debt-free.<\/p>\n Expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money delivered to your inbox every Sunday. Sign up for our Real Money newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Marcus](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/a4b32119be12eed273558bd4892b54866ed7847b7864b2ca274b8e0da0442125.jpeg\")
Marcus Johnson realised years ago he would not be able to retire when he wanted to.<\/p>\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/10d3ea2c89d692114d1867a2190e742c681d95450b664c6e354101e6aed9fdb1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Kim](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c301bc5b1b75294b7fc68645f9b3fb669b36a3fabf575b533d3de7ecf14b502f.jpeg\")
Kim Kleidon has less than half of what she should have in her retirement fund.<\/p>\n![\"Even](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775530091_43_4341506baa4006a260476f0f7c08e630a566fd87.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n