How a Financial Choice Became My Lifeline After a Parkinson's Diagnosis

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In 2010, my marriage ended after 23 years. It was unexpected and left me little time to plan for my retirement.

My husband and I didn’t touch each other’s superannuation in the settlement, and I kept the house — eventually buying him out.

I became solely responsible for the mortgage, home and contents insurance, household bills, and a few car loans we had added over the years.

I consistently ensured I had sufficient funds for groceries and gas. However, after covering all my expenses in some weeks, my bank balance would dwindle to just $38 for the next two weeks.

When compulsory superannuation began in 1992, I didn’t give much thought to retirement.

I was 27 years old, pregnant with my second daughter and working part-time. I knew I could contribute voluntarily to my super, but at that stage of life, I wasn’t thinking that far ahead.

My focus was on raising a family — paying for things like dance lessons, school fees, the mortgage, and occasional family holidays.

We weren’t financially savvy and lived from pay to pay. Saving wasn’t something we did regularly.

‘I’m still not sure where I found the extra money’

When I heard colleagues discussing salary sacrificing at my full-time public service job in 2000, I started to contribute 5 per cent of my salary.

However, I didn’t really understand the supposed benefits.

I finally took a closer look at superannuation when I got divorced, 10 years later. I felt that, now I was single, I had to future-proof my retirement. Who else was going to?

So, I began contributing 10 per cent to my super, which was matched by my employer.

I’m still not sure where I found the extra money — but I made it happen.

a woman scuba diving in the ocean underwater

When Jen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, she decided she would make the most of her ‘good years’ and get her scuba diving license. Source: Supplied

In 2014, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I was told I had five good years left.

That meant I would most likely not be able to work by 53 — an age too young to retire and too young to access super as a lump payment.

The future felt even more uncertain, especially financially.

Finding out that I had Total and Permanent Disability insurance through my super provided some relief. But it wasn’t enough to secure my future.

My main goal was to keep my house, which I viewed — and still view — as my long-term security.

‘Never considered stopping’

The challenges did not end there; at 52, I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

Although it was caught early, I had to undergo a unilateral mastectomy, followed by 12 months of recovery due to complications.

The financial pressure returned.

I had to take long periods of leave and faced the possibility that some of it would be unpaid.

Fortunately, my workplace supported me by allowing remote work, and I began driving for Uber between medical procedures for extra cash flow.

Throughout all of life’s unexpected circumstances, my goal was to retire at 60, take a partial lump sum and pay off my house.

Looking at my projected super balance for that age gave me a sense of direction and hope.

I had periods of financial stability and periods of real struggle, but I never considered stopping contributing that 10 per cent of my income.

An unlikely catalyst

Today, I am on leave until I officially retire in September, when I’ll turn 60.

I’ve just about made it, and I have my divorce to thank as an unlikely catalyst to my current superannuation balance.

Knowing I wasn’t going to be living with a dual income — and it was all going to be on me — motivated me to reassess my situation and start contributing more.

Looking back, saving for retirement wasn’t easy … but I’m so thankful I started salary sacrificing when I did.

I only wish I had started doing so sooner.

I believe it’s important to have your own financial plan and stick to the goals you’ve made.

I’ve encouraged my two daughters, who are in their 30s, to start salary sacrificing early and to be active decision makers in their financial future.

I want them to be proactive about their superannuation; to act on it — not just sit around and think about it.

Relying on someone else can be risky and you never know what life will bring.