17 retirement mistakes to avoid in 2026

Owen Rask and Drew Meredith run through 17 retirement mistakes Australians still make, then unpack bond yields, property prices and why higher rates are reshaping retirement portfolios.

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About this episode

In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, Owen Rask puts Drew Meredith on the spot with a rapid-fire challenge: name the retirement mistakes Australians keep making before they quietly cost serious money. What follows is a practical checklist covering longevity risk, inflation, poor diversification, not reviewing super often enough, taking the wrong level of risk, carrying debt for too long, missing pension opportunities, overthinking aged care and even helping adult kids more than your plan can afford.

From there, the conversation widens into the market issues shaping retirement portfolios right now. Owen and Drew unpack what higher bond yields actually mean for income-seeking investors, why bonds can suddenly look more attractive relative to shares, and how falling property prices might create both hesitation and opportunity. They also touch on private credit, the role of realistic budgeting, and the danger of assuming your retirement spending will follow a straight line.

The final stretch takes on the broader investing backdrop, including Apple, AI capex and the latest bubble debate, but the heart of this episode is still simple: avoid the big retirement errors before they become expensive ones. If you want clearer thinking on retirement income, portfolio construction and the trade-offs investors face when rates stay higher for longer, this episode is well worth your time.

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