A friend of mine recently retired at 67 with $1.5 million AUD in their superannuation fund. If you don't know, Australia’s superannuation system is a mandatory retirement savings plan. Employers contribute a percentage of an employee's earnings into a super fund, at a rate of about 12%, and personal contributions are taxed at a lower rate. Under certain circumstances, we can access their superannuation funds earlier. The funds are invested, so the performance of the chosen super fund is crucial - for example, we don't want our funds going toward supplying weopons.

However, the system is harder for some, especially for women, who have career breaks for child-rearing and part-time work. A woman will have way less than a man usually and there's more financial insecurity in retirement for us. My daughter in law works for a company called Woman in Super that works with government and policy to redress this imbalance.

In my own situation, choosing to leave full-time employment early means I won't reach a super balance anywhere near $1.5 million - gosh, what a laugh. Jamie, on the other hand, feels fortunate because if he had stayed in England, he wouldn't have had any retirement savings, let alone the opportunity to earn as much as he has in Australia. He doesn't have tons, but a little more than me.

I mean, a nice fat superannuation balance is ideal, but I'm not convinced it's the ultimate goal of my life. Work to 70 to find myself physically or mentally unfit to enjoy their retirement? No thanks. Dad passed away at 77, with ample funds but regretting not having more adventures, particularly travel.

His death, coupled with the reassessment many of us had during the COVID years, stressed the importance of living fully in the present moment. We could technically take on emergency teaching roles a couple of days a week until we're 70, but neither of us feels capable of teaching full-time until then, and don't want to regret not taking opportunities to live.

Our current plan is to work for a year, then take a year (or at least six months) off to travel and enjoy life, saving during our working year to top up the coffers. Life feels dull otherwise.

Luckily, we've worked hard to debt-free and without dependents, which makes this plan possible. We don't have to worry too much about job security - we can always do a couple of days here and there emergency teaching.

We view the $1.5 million superannuation target as more of a benchmark to keep people working longer, rather than a realistic goal for everyone. While we might not be as financially affluent, we believe there are other ways to lead a fulfilling life.

And perhaps, one day, I'll receive an inheritance—hopefully far in the future, as I cherish my mother and wish for her long life. But if I reach my 70s, I'm not overly concerned about financial hardship. The key is to live fully until then, embracing life rather than working solely for the elusive "ideal" retirement fund.