Superannuation & Retirement Planning
Building strong foundations for your longterm financial wellbeing.
Superannuation and retirement planning go hand in hand; both are essential to building financial security. A robust superannuation and retirement plan will give you confidence in your future — confidence to know you can continue to maintain current living standards, and that you have financial freedom rather than financial stress.
So, you have a superannuation fund... but how’s it tracking? Some of the pressing questions people have are:
Will I have enough assets to retire?
How should I invest my money?
How long will my money last?
Will I still pay tax in retirement?
How do I contribute to super?
Wealth creation and superannuation go hand-in-hand. However, it’s sometimes a complicated process, with multiple stages and scenarios to consider, such as...
Should I contribute/save more?
Should I buy property, shares or bonds?
How will my lifestyle be impacted?
What are the tax advantages?
If you’re ready to think about saving and investing for your future, then there’s no time better than the present.
Superannuation Planning
Feeling a sense of trepidation about investment markets, economies and superannuation rules? It’s completely normal. To start, here are the key factors to consider:
It can feel overwhelming, trying to understand the rules and the jargon relating to superannuation. Terms such as:
Concessional
Non-concessional
Untaxed element
Transfer balance cap
Income streams
We take the stress out of knowing all these terms (and others), while at the same time, educating you along the journey.
Superannuation Legislation
What can I invest in?
Shares
Bonds
Property
Term Deposits
Cash
Alternative Investments
Options
Global or domestic?
Investment Markets
Economic factors can greatly alter your financial position. Some of these factors include:
Interest rates
Inflation
Foreign currency
Unemployment levels
Political and government intervention
Global conflicts
Economies
So... the time has arrived: you’re starting to look ahead to your retirement. Like most people at this stage of life, there are likely pressing questions on your mind, such as:
What does retirement look like for me?
What will my income in retirement be?
How long will my money last?
Will I still pay tax in retirement?
Can I start to wind down my working hours?
Planning for your retirement isn’t just about the time after your career has concluded. It’s a process, with multiple stages and scenarios to consider. Here’s just a few:
A phasing down of work hours as a means of ‘gradual retirement’…
Opportunities to continue working after retirement age…
Lifestyle considerations: extended holidays, weekends away, a new sport or hobby…
If you’re emotionally ready to start winding up your working life, you need to be sure you’re also financially ready. This is where we can help.
Retirement Planning
Setting up your finances for the years after your working life can be intimidating. Here are the key retirement factors to consider:
Your Retirement Lifestyle #1
What will a comfortable lifestyle cost, both as you start to retire and once you reach full retirement?
In August 2021, the Association of Superannuation Funds Australia (ASFA) estimated that a comfortable lifestyle in retirement (versus a modest lifestyle) for a couple in Australia costs $63,352 per annum. Can you afford that? Read more here.
Your Retirement Lifestyle #2
Strategies to help you achieve a comfortable retirement lifestyle might include:
Maximising retirement savings
Optimising your superannuation
Planning for the possibility of aged care
Investing your retirement savings
Achieving a tax-free retirement income
Navigating relevant regulations
Your Age of Retirement
This will involve assessing:
If you plan to gradually retire, and when
The state of your health
Your current financial situation
Your employment situation
Any investments you currently own
Your lifestyle preferences in pre-retirement and retirement (and that of your partner)
Government Assistance
Whether you’ll need to access Government assistance such as:
Eligibility for the Age Pension
Carer’s Allowance
Disability Support Pension
Centrelink planning (if you’re likely to need it)
Your Superannuation
Considerations may include:
How and at what age you’ll start to withdraw your Super
Whether a ‘transition to retirement’ solution would be best suited to you
Annuity or Lump Sum options
