For years people planning for retirement have been haunted by a single goal: reaching $1 million in super before they retire. Apparently, that’s what we’re all supposed to have neatly tucked away before we even think about retiring. A million bucks. In one account. By 65.

No pressure, right?

For a long time, retirees have though of $1 million as the ideal amount to have in retirement. But new research has just blown a hole in that myth.Credit: Sam Bennett

But new research from AustralianSuper has just blown a hole in that myth – and it’s about bloody time.

It shows 94 per cent of recent retirees didn’t retire with $1 million in super. Most didn’t even come close. And yet ... they retired and many of them are living in comfort. Without fanfare. Without financial collapse. Without eating two-minute noodles in a cardigan for the next 30 years.

Take Warren Morrison – he retired at 64 with $350,000 in super, and a plan. He’d figured out how much he’d need to spend to have a good life. Now he officiates weddings, runs trivia nights, and judges roller-skating competitions (as you do). His secret? Not being rich. Just being smart about the life he actually wanted.

So maybe the real question isn’t “how much do I need?” or “can I get to a million dollars in super before I retire?” Maybe it’s “what kind of life do I........

© Brisbane Times