Big mortgage in your 50s? Why super may beat paying it off

If you’re in your 50s and still carrying a big mortgage, this episode is for you. Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly unpack a real-world retirement planning dilemma: should extra cash go straight into the home loan, or can deductible super contributions actually put you in a better position by the time retirement arrives? They break down when maximising super can work, why catch-up concessional caps matter, and the big trade-off most people underestimate: once money goes into super, access gets harder, and market returns never arrive in a straight line. The episode also looks at a new push to make pension products easier to start — and whether defaulting older Australians into pension mode later in life is a smart system fix or a step too far. Plus, there’s a practical discussion on how retirees can use AI in everyday life, from planning travel and weekly activities to making life admin simpler. If you want a clearer way to think about mortgage vs super, pension timing, and smarter retirement planning, this is worth your time. Episode resources Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources Visit TermPlus to learn more https://termplus.com.au/?utm_source=r... Have the chance to win a 5k travel voucher. Take the TermPlus survey here (last entry 31st of May) https://termplus.com.au/money-mindset... Rask Resources All services: https://bit.ly/R-services Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media Instagram:   / rask.invest   TikTok:   / rask.invest   DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg