Wealthlab Blog
Expert insights, practical strategies, and market updates to help you make informed financial decisions for your future.
The biggest retirement mistakes Australians make aren’t dramatic blunders. They’re quiet, easy-to-miss decisions made in the final years of work that quietly cost thousands. From leaving super in accumulation too long to misreading the Age Pension assets test, this guide covers the most common retirement planning mistakes in Australia and exactly what to do instead.
Salary sacrifice super is one of the most effective tax strategies available to Australian workers and most people either don’t do it at all or don’t do it properly. Here’s a plain-English guide to how it works, how much tax you save at different income levels, the $30,000 concessional cap, catch-up contributions, and how to set it up with your employer.
How much super should I have at 50 in Australia? The average is around $212,000, but ASFA benchmarks suggest $280,000 to $370,000 for a comfortable retirement. See where you stand and how to catch up if you’re behind.
An account-based pension is how most Australians turn their super into retirement income. Your balance stays invested, you draw a regular income, and earnings become tax-free. Here’s how minimum drawdown rates, tax treatment, Age Pension interaction, and the setup process work in 2026.
Sequencing risk is one of the most misunderstood concepts in retirement planning. Two people can retire with the same super balance, in the same fund, with the same average return over 20 years, and end up with very different outcomes, depending purely on when the bad years hit. Here’s why it matters and how to plan around it.
Retiring at 60 with $235,000 in super is achievable for homeowners willing to live modestly and plan carefully. The biggest challenge is funding the seven-year gap before the Age Pension starts at 67. Here’s what $235K actually buys you, how long it lasts, and what makes it work.
How long will $700,000 last in retirement in Australia? At $40K to $50K a year, $700K can stretch 17 to 25 years from super alone, and longer with Age Pension support. See year by year projections and how to make your super last.
As the year winds down, I like to take a moment to pause, reflect, and plan ahead. Every December, I sit down with a simple booklet called the YearCompass, it’s designed to review the past year and set some goals for the next one.
Discover essential retirement planning tips and strategies to help you make the most of your golden years. From financial planning to lifestyle choices, this comprehensive guide will prepare you for a happy and fulfilling retirement.
Our latest insights on Australian financial planning
This month’s newsletter is a trip down memory lane. We’ve dug out some old photos and reflecting on what we’ve picked up along the way.
Welcome to 2025! New year, same goal—helping you stay on top of your finances without all the noise. But aahh is it too late to
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6 quick questions about your retirement situation. Get an instant educational snapshot showing common strengths and gaps for Australians in a similar position.
