Oct302025
NewsRetirement Planning Downsizing Before Retirement

What Are The Pros and Cons of Downsizing Before Retirement

News, Retirement Planning

“Downsizing Before Retirement” generally refers to selling your current primary residence (often a large family home) and moving into something smaller, easier to manage, less expensive to run, or better located for retirement needs. This could be:

  • Moving from a full house to a smaller home, townhouse or apartment
  • Moving to a retirement village or over-55s community
  • Choosing a dwelling with fewer maintenance requirements, or closer to services, family, or transport

In Australia, there is also a policy dimension (the Downsizer Contribution Scheme) which allows eligible people (aged 55+) to contribute up to $300,000 from the sale of their home into superannuation, bypassing certain contribution caps. (Nationwide Super | Small Business Super)

The potential benefits of downsizing before retirement

Here are the main advantages, with data or widely reported findings where possible.

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Oct272025
Financial PlannersInvestment PlanningNewsRetirement Planning Clear Investment Goals

Why It’s Important to be Clear on Investment Goals

Financial Planners, Investment Planning, News, Retirement Planning

In today’s uncertain global economy, knowing exactly what you want from your investments has never been more important. The financial environment is evolving quickly. Shifts in global power such as the rise of BRICS, the growing influence of cryptocurrencies, the strong performance of gold and silver, and renewed interest in mining stocks all add layers of complexity to investment decisions. At the same time, persistently low interest rates on cash savings force investors to rethink where they put their money.

Being clear on your investment goals is not about predicting the future. It’s about aligning your financial choices with your values, time horizon, and risk tolerance—so that no matter what happens globally, you stay on track.

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Oct102025
NewsRetirement Planning 3 Crucial Retirement Decisions

3 Crucial Retirement Decisions

News, Retirement Planning

Retirement decisions are some of the most significant financial transitions in life. For Australians, preparing well means not only building sufficient savings but also making several critical decisions that directly shape the quality of life after finishing full-time work. Among the most important decisions are determining the desired retirement income, managing superannuation effectively, and deciding whether to downsize the family home.

These choices determine how long savings last, how financially secure retirement feels, and how much freedom individuals have to enjoy later years. Each decision is interconnected, and navigating them properly often requires guidance from experienced professionals.

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Oct92025
NewsRetirement Planning Retirement Planning 101: Pros and Cons of Investment Property for Retirement Income

Retirement Planning 101: Pros and Cons of Investment Property for Retirement Income

News, Retirement Planning

Why Retirement Planning Matters

  • Retirement usually means switching from accumulating assets (earning, saving, investing) to decumulating them (drawing income, preserving capital, managing risks). Without an income plan, retirees risk outliving savings or being exposed to shocks (health, inflation, market downturns).

  • In Australia, people rely on a mix: superannuation, possibly the Age Pension, personal savings/investments, and sometimes property. Because superannuation rules change, retirement ages shift, and markets fluctuate, having a diversified and resilient income strategy is important.

  • Many Australians view investment property as a means to supplement super + pension with more reliable cash flow and potential capital growth.

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Oct32025
Retirement Planning What Are The Most Serious Financial Risks Retirees Face

What Are The Most Serious Financial Risks Retirees Face?

Retirement Planning

Why These Financial Risks Matter Together

  • Retirees often don’t have as much time to recover from adverse investment or regulatory changes as younger people.
  • Inflation and increasing costs, especially for aged care and health, amplify other risks.
  • Longevity means even modest under-planning could leave someone with inadequate resources in later years.
  • Regulatory changes can shift cost burdens or benefits unexpectedly.
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Sep132025
Retirement Planning What Is The Biggest Expense For Retirees?

What Is The Biggest Expense For Retirees?

Retirement Planning

Retirement is often imagined as a time when many expenses fall away: no commuting, children grown, fewer professional clothes, maybe paid work is reduced or stops. In many cases, that’s true. However, other expenses for retirees remain high—or even increase—especially in areas such as health, aged care, and the cost of living more generally. As retirees enter their 80s and 90s, these costs can shift sharply, making planning vital. One of the biggest concerns is the overall expense for retirees.

Here are key expenses for retirees, categorised by type, what tends to happen to them over time, relevant data, and some practical tips for managing them.

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Aug172025
Superannuation FundInsurance ProtectionNewsRetirement Planning Superannuation Statements

Superannuation Statements - What to Check

Superannuation Fund, Insurance Protection, News, Retirement Planning

Last financial year's superannuation statements are hitting your mailboxes over the past week.

You must check that your details are correct. The following is the type of information you should be checking:

  • What is your balance.
  • Is the balance trending upwards over time - remember the Centrelink aged pension will probably not provide enough for the niceties in life. Chances are you will be relying on your superannuation for a better quality of life in your retirement.
  • Are all this year's superannuation payments showing on your statement?
    Only recently we had a client whose superannuation guarantee payments from his employer were going into a different fund to the one he thought. And in rare cases, unscrupulous employers have been known not to make their payments at all even though they have a legal requirement to do so.
  • Do you have insurance within your superannuation (life, income protection or total permenant disability)?  Is it still sufficient for your needs? Remember that insurance premiums within your super fund are paid from your superannuation returns rather than billed to your directly. This makes them a convenient form of extra financial security, but one that is easy to overlook.

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Jun132025
Retirement Planning What Is A Good Monthly Retirement Income

What Is A Good Monthly Retirement Income?

Retirement Planning

You are entering the next chapter of your life and retiring, and you're asking yourself the question, what is a good monthly retirement income? It’s your goal to ensure that you can live comfortably and sustain the lifestyle you desire. Many factors may affect it, but your primary concern is securing a reliable monthly retirement income. Answering this question requires careful planning and research, but it is well worth it so that you can enjoy a relaxed and secure retirement. In this article, we will discuss what we consider a suitable monthly retirement income.

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Apr172025
Retirement Planning Financial Planner

Benefits of Working with a Financial Planner

Retirement Planning

What are the benefits of working with a Financial Advisor? When people hear the term Financial Planner, they often think of someone who helps with investing or retirement. While that's certainly part of the picture, a financial planner's role is much broader, and often far more valuable than many realise. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or you're looking to maximise and protect your wealth, some of the key benefits of a financial planner are having clarity, direction, and peace of mind.

In this article, we will break down what a financial planner actually does, and how working with one could be one of the smartest financial decisions you make.

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Apr132025
Retirement Planning Retire In Australia

How Much Do I Need To Retire In Australia?

Retirement Planning

If you're asking yourself the question, how much do I need to retire in Australia, then this article is for you. I want you to know that taking proactive steps will help you rest assured that you can afford a comfortable retirement. It is beneficial to weigh the amount you need to retire comfortably against your expectations for the retirement lifestyle you have always dreamed of. This article will discuss how much you need to retire in Australia and outline the steps you should take for effective retirement planning. To successfully retire in Australia, understanding your financial requirements is crucial.

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