THEY are the retirees governments dream of, never planning to take an age pension unless hit by unforeseen financial catastrophe. Their house in Yarralumla, Canberra, is worth ''a smidgin over $1 million''. Their self-managed super fund also has more than $1 million in it.

At 62 and 54, Ron and Sue Hogg are leading the good life of early retirees on about $65,000 a year. But getting to that prized position took years of detailed work, backed up by professional advice, as well as a practical attitude and a reasonable income. The Hoggs have also never had the expense of children.

"Throughout our life we avoided the high life, but we didn’t scrimp and scrape" ... Ron Hogg, pictured with his wife Sue. Credit:Stuart Walmsley

They set up their own superannuation fund in 1996. Mr Hogg, a former scientific manager, estimates he put about three weeks of full-time work a year into it, even with assistance from a financial adviser and accountant.

Nevertheless, he thinks the superannuation policy is ''brilliant'' and even finds the Tax Office a helpful ally.