Financial Planning for your Retirement That Puts You First
If you don't plan for your retirement, you run the real risk of finding out too late that you can no longer afford to live the way you did before you retired. On the other hand, financial planning gives you control, and the opportunity to find out how to capitalise on, or improve, your financial position come retirement. Making well-considered decisions now will likely mean that you won’t need to rely on a limited age pension. Read More

Retirement Income Streams
Where will your income come from once you stop working? If you're struggling to answer this question, it's time to seek our advice to help you plan towards the retirement lifestyle of your choice. The fact is, your income during retirement is likely to come from more than one source and will most likely vary over time, depending on market conditions, investment strategy and your individual circumstances. Planning is vital to be able to create adequate income for this important stage of your life. Read More

Retirement Living Costs
Retiring means beginning a phase of life that brings significant change. If you are financially prepared, it can be a really interesting and satisfying time of life. If you are not, it could be stressful and frustrating. We urge you to begin 2017 with this achievable New Year’s resolution: Focus on financial planning for your retirement. Read More

Housing affordability is a problem for many Australians, and Governments at all levels don’t seem to have any answers. There wasn’t a single recommendation in the 56-page report from the 2016 House of Reps inquiry into housing affordability, so we obviously can’t rely on Government intervention to manage escalating housing costs. But there is good news if you are prepared to be proactive. As long as you have certain fundamental financial habits in place, home ownership is achievable, particularly so if family members can assist you. Read More

We recently heard about a man who took an unsolicited call from a financial adviser and, after a brief phone call, agreed to be flown to Sydney. There he was told how quickly he would reach his financial goals if he only bought an investment property. Following a fine meal overlooking the Harbour, he signed up. Needless to say, the advice was terrible: it didn’t account for the man’s personal circumstances or long-term goals, and it’s likely that the same advice was offered to everyone else at the event. Luckily, the man was able to withdraw his commitment without penalty, but the consequences could have been disastrous.  Read More

The Government has announced significant changes to the super reforms that were proposed in the May Budget¹. While we view this as a positive outcome with further clarity around super, the reality is that the ability for Australians to put money into this tax effective environment is continually being limited. To really make the most of your super and to benefit from its critical role in your overall financial planning, we invite you to contact us. We would like to discuss with you your super opportunities in the light of the recent Government announcements and to suggest any appropriate changes to your strategy. Read More

A report¹ released earlier this year revealed that a ‘comfortable’ lifestyle in retirement will cost a healthy retired couple, who own their own home, $58,922 per year. Given a life expectancy of nearly age 83, that will amount to having over 1 million dollars in retirement funding. The alternative is a ‘modest’ lifestyle, requiring $34,064 per couple for year (which is slightly more than the Aged Pension²). Either way, creating a capital base that will deliver funds for your retirement takes planning and if you haven’t started thinking about it yet, it’s time you do. Read More

While our learning and problem-solving capacity peak when we are just 20, our financial decision-making peaks in our early 60s. From our late 60s onwards, we experience gradual cognitive decline, including our ability to understand complex financial concepts and make sound financial decisions. This means that senior Australians seeking financial advice may not have the cognitive abilities they need (and once enjoyed). If they are not aware of this fact, they can be extremely vulnerable. Below, we outline three ways to prepare for making important financial decisions in later life – for yourself or for an ageing family member. Read More

While the Government has flagged some changes to super in its recent Budget address, nothing is set in stone. Indeed, the changes at this stage are really just suggestions that will depend upon the outcome of the election and then if that proposed new legislation is passed through Parliament.

The post-Budget super landscape may be uncertain, but there’s no need to panic. Instead, we feel it’s the perfect opportunity for a discussion about your super opportunities, both now and in the future. There are at least three key areas where a discussion with us now will prepare you for making appropriate changes to your super strategy.

First, here’s a summary of the Government’s super proposals: Read More

If you are squeezed between the financial demands of your offspring and those of your parents who need your support in their advancing years, this tip is for you. Read More