INTHEBLACK July 2026 - Magazine - Page 10
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Ready for retirement?
Retirement may be a welcome life stage for
many workers, but a proportion of Australians
are struggling to plan for their financial future.
Research commissioned by the Australian Securities
and Investments Commission (ASIC) shows
2.5 million Australians are expected to retire over
the next decade, but 48 per cent of those aged
50 to 66 are worried they will run out of money
in retirement. Just over 30 per cent feel they are
already behind in preparing for this stage and only
18 per cent have a clear retirement plan in place.
In response, ASIC has developed the
Moneysmart Retirement Hub, which provides
practical tools, calculators and guidance to support
retirement planning.
Read the report
Proximity pays off
Hybrid work arrangements may create a desirable
balance for many workers, but office attendance
appears to come with a bonus — more money.
Research by Robert Half reveals 68 per cent
of Australian employers say they have adjusted
employee salaries based on how frequently they
attend the office, and a similar number has
modified bonus structures to reflect in-office
presence. Office attendance may also have
an impact on career outlook, as 77 per cent
of employers say that proximity to leadership,
achieved through regular office attendance,
positively influences both pay and career
progression.
“Visibility is quietly becoming a form
of currency in today’s workplace,” says Clinton
Marks, director at Robert Half. “While proximity
to leadership can accelerate career progression,
it also creates a challenge for organisations
to ensure that recognition and opportunity
are not unintentionally skewed toward those
who are simply more present. The focus needs
to shift toward designing systems where
contribution is measured consistently, regardless
of where the work is done.”
Read the research
10 INTHEBLACK July 2026
