5 ways to retire like a pro
The smartest move you’ll ever make for your future
Claire Louise Caw, Workplace Proposition Lead, Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland DAC
Retirement isn’t the end of the game; it’s the moment you’ve been preparing for your whole life. Yet for many women, planning for retirement feels overwhelming, distant, or even a little intimidating. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
New research from Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland shows the significant financial disadvantages women face as they approach retirement, including a 31% gender pension gap¹. This simply means that on average, women retire with about one third less pension savings than men. Nearly two in three women over 50 (65%) have never calculated how many paydays they have left before retirement, a simple but powerful step that helps make the future feel more tangible².
If you’ve spent years navigating careers, family commitments, caring responsibilities, and life’s curveballs, then you already have the skills to plan with confidence. With the right support, you can absolutely Retire Like a Pro.
Here’s how.
1. Know the score: understand where you stand today
Every great athlete starts by understanding the field in front of them.
But many women feel unsure about their current pension position, with the research showing that:
- 55% don’t know what their pension is worth², and
- 58% don’t know what their pension is invested in².
Not knowing makes retirement planning feel uncertain, even stressful. In fact, 55% of women say they feel anxious when they think about retirement¹.
The good news? That stress begins to disappear the moment you get clarity. Checking your pension value or logging into your online portal is a simple first step that many women tell us instantly boosts their sense of control.
2. Count your paydays, it changes everything
If you’ve never worked out how many paydays you have left, you’re in good company. Most women haven’t.
But once you know your timeline, your retirement plan becomes real. It becomes actionable. You can make meaningful decisions, whether that’s increasing contributions, reviewing your fund choice, or checking you’re on track for the lifestyle you want.
Think of it like training for a match: you wouldn’t wait until the final whistle to get ready. You’d start today.
3. Play to your strengths, you already make big decisions
Our research found that only 29% of women feel confident making investment decisions, compared with 53% of men².
But here’s the truth: women make complex decisions all the time, about family, finances, careers, care, and community. The skill is already there. Retirement planning simply requires applying those same strengths to your financial future.
You don’t need to know everything. You just need to start.
4. Build your support team, talk to a Financial Broker
In sport, no professional succeeds alone. They have coaches, strategists, and supporters guiding their next move.
It’s the same with retirement.
A conversation with a financial broker can help you:
- Understand your current position
- Explore your retirement options
- Set achievable goals
- Build confidence in your plan
Women who seek advice consistently report feeling more informed, more supported, and more in control of their future.
5. Make the next move, even a small step is progress
Retiring like a pro isn’t about perfection. It’s about momentum.
Here are three actions you can take today:
- Check your pension value
- Calculate your remaining paydays
- Book a chat with a financial broker
Every step you take makes your retirement future clearer, stronger, and more achievable.
The bottom line: you’ve got this
Whether retirement is five years away or fifteen, you have the power to shape it. Your experience, resilience, determination, and instincts have taken you this far, and they’re exactly what you need to build a future you feel good about.
At Aviva, we’re here to help you develop your game plan, build your confidence, and retire like a pro.