Retirement can be a time for exciting new changes in your life and uncertainty about how you will manage your income and expenses. You may be looking forward to spending more time on those things that you have dreamed of, such as travel, leisure pursuits and family time. But how will you plan your income flow and spending? How will you make sure you retain independence without running out of money?
Planning ahead is a way to maintain balance between your lifestyle and your financial resources – and the earlier you start the better. Perhaps more than any other stage in life, the decisions you make (or the ones you neglect) in planning your retirement years can make a huge difference to your retirement lifestyle.
We can guide you through the social security, taxation and investment aspects and help you to reach your retirement goals.
Transition to retirement
The best time to start planning retirement is actually long before you get there. If you are aged 55 or over there are specific opportunities, which allow you to structure your finances to potentially save thousands of dollars in tax. This is known as a transition to retirement (TTR) strategy.
A TTR strategy involves you drawing upon part or all of your superannuation as an income stream through a TTR pension, while you divert more of your earned income toward your super. The strategy aims to have a neutral impact on take home income now, but a significant reduction in the tax you pay and the growth of your super. Alternatively, you can use this strategy to help fund a reduction in working hours, so that you ease into retirement many years before you actually take the final step.
Our clients find that our sound retirement advice opens a window of opportunity in the lead up to their retirement.
Retirement income
Once you reach full retirement, your strategy for prolonging retirement income becomes paramount. Life expectancy is increasing and you could easily be relying on your income to last 20 years or more. It is critical to coordinate the taxation, social security and investment aspects in a carefully structured plan.
Centrelink entitlements
Some clients are fortunate enough to be self-funded retirees, others rely on Centrelink benefits.
Understanding your entitlements can be complex as it takes into consideration home ownership, investment assets and income.
Central to the age pension system are the two means tests that are applied to your assessment – the income test and assets test. You can benefit from our knowledge of this system and how these tests are applied, in order to create the ideal income situation. Ongoing management is essential changes in your circumstances are monitored and your entitlements are maintained.