Retirement planning in Brisbane
Whether retirement is five years away or twenty-five, a clear plan turns 'one day' into a date you can circle.
When can I retire, and will my money last?
Retire too early and you could find yourself stretching your savings further than expected. Wait too long and you might miss out on years you could have spent enjoying retirement. Getting the timing right can make a real difference.
We bring together your superannuation, savings, property, debts and potential Age Pension entitlements to assess when retirement may be financially achievable. We also look at how different retirement dates and spending choices could affect your money over time.
The result is a written retirement plan you can act on, built around realistic projections, so you can weigh up your options before making one of life's biggest decisions.
The decisions that shape your retirement
There's more to retiring than reaching a certain age. These are some of the financial decisions that can make a difference to when you retire and how you live afterwards.
Making the most of your final working years
Extra super contributions or a transition to retirement strategy can lift your balance in the years that count most.
Turning super into a reliable income
We work out how and when to draw on your super, so the income you want today doesn't come at the expense of your later years.
Factoring in the Age Pension
Where you may be eligible, we show how your assets and income affect your entitlements, and plan around them.
Deciding what to do with the mortgage
Pay it off before you retire, or keep the money working? We look at what suits your situation and how you feel about carrying debt into retirement.
Retirement planning questions
How much money do I need to retire in Australia?
There's no single figure that works for everyone. It depends on when you retire, the lifestyle you want, your housing costs, other income and how long your savings need to last.
The ASFA Retirement Standard gives useful benchmarks for a modest and a comfortable retirement, but they're guides rather than personal targets. We build projections around your own super, investments, likely Age Pension entitlements and expected spending.
When can I access my super?
For most Australians, once you reach your preservation age of 60 and meet a condition of release, such as retiring or leaving a job after turning 60. From 65, you can generally access your super whether you're still working or not.
Different rules can apply in some circumstances, so we confirm your eligibility before you plan any withdrawals.
What happens to my super when I retire?
Your super doesn't automatically get paid out when you retire. Depending on your eligibility and circumstances, you may be able to leave it in your super account, withdraw some or all of it, or transfer funds into an account-based pension that provides regular retirement income. Each option has different implications for tax, investment earnings and access to your money.
What is a transition to retirement strategy?
A transition to retirement (TTR) strategy lets you draw part of your super as an income stream once you reach preservation age, while you keep working.
It can help you cut back your hours without a big drop in income, or form part of a strategy that boosts your super through extra contributions. There are withdrawal limits and tax considerations, so we look at whether it's worthwhile for you.
Will I be eligible for the Age Pension?
Age Pension age is 67, but eligibility also depends on residency requirements and the income and assets tests.
You may receive a full pension, a part pension or no payment. Your family home is generally excluded from the assets test, although different thresholds apply to homeowners and non-homeowners.
Can I still work part-time when I retire?
Yes. Retirement doesn't have to mean giving up work completely. You can keep working part-time while drawing on your retirement savings, as long as you meet the super access rules.
If you receive the Age Pension, your earnings may affect your payments, although the Work Bonus lets eligible pensioners keep more of their pension while they work.
How much does retirement planning advice cost?
The cost depends on the complexity of your financial circumstances and the work involved. Before proceeding, we'll explain the services recommended, the associated fees and what's included, so you can decide whether you'd like to go ahead.
What happens to my plan after I retire?
Your plan should keep evolving after you finish work. Investment returns, spending, inflation, health costs and government entitlements all change over time.
We review your plan every 6 to 12 months to check your income and withdrawals are still right, and adjust where it makes sense.
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Find out when you could retire.
Whether you're just starting to think about retirement or already making plans, let's work out what you want from the years ahead and how your finances can support it.