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16 May 2024
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More Australians are moving away from the dream of early retirement with pre-retirees planning to work longer after the age of 67, according to our new report ‘Retirement: The now and the then’ which was developed in conjunction with independent research firm, MYMAVINS.
The research was undertaken to help financial planners better understand their clients’ views on retirement and their main drivers of life satisfaction. It also looks at the evolving role of the financial planner and implications for service offerings, advice processes and portfolio construction decisions.
Importantly, in this report we've reversed the perspective to see things from the retiree’s point of view and better understand the real emotional drivers of a successful retirement.
Excellent. Was well worth taking the time to read it. [From an early retiree].
I found the comment from BeenThereB4 very good reading and absolutely correct! Our SMSF is overweight good quality fully franked Australian Shares. Having worked in a minor capacity in stockbroking, I'm comfortable with equities, rebalancing, investing for the long term to fully fund our retirement. My husband "retired" at 66 and does understand how our "buckets' and Investment Strategy work, but I primarily do the legwork. There is no "one size fits all" for people, and no get rich quick scheme on our radar, but, whilst our auditor would probably prefer to see a greater spread, she can't overlook our solid returns and cash buffer. I guess that comes back to being comfortable with what you know, knowing how much that comfort costs to maintain, and that you always have prudent plans to manage risks.
I am a stockbroker in my 70's. I have been advising clients for many years, with many clients in SMSFs. Whilst clients were in pre-retirement, I focused on building up member balances such that come the day they move to pension phase, they have a bigger nest-egg ... certainly not brain surgery. According to the financial planner mantra, my clients are overweight leading Australian shares (that pay franked divis), and they do not have "balanced" portfolios that feature some international shares, some domestic and some international fixed interest ... you know, the usual banquet meal. Whilst a small number of my clients are HNW, most retire with portfolios with value $1-to-3 million, and with a 4-to-4.5% dividend yield, this generates adequate income to meet routine spending. As they get older, a minority are dipping into the capital of the fund. The biggest issue that I encounter is a lot of otherwise sensible people are just not "engaged" with financial matters. So, typically one of a couple passes away (the person who manages the dosh), and the surviving partner is all at sea with the "estate". The survivor doesn't really read / understand the 100-page Financial Plan, and is not in to "buckets" and asset allocation vocabulary. I found the FIL paper very interesting, but still some distance away from that part of the real world I see.
If you’re like me, you may have put money into term deposits over the past year and it’s time to decide whether to roll them over or look elsewhere. Here are the pros and cons of cash versus other assets right now.
How useful are the retirement savings and spending targets put out by various groups such as ASFA? Not very, and it's reducing the ability of ordinary retirees to fully understand their retirement income options.
Australia will have 3.7 million more people in a decade's time, though the growth won't be evenly distributed. Over 85s will see the fastest growth, while the number of younger people will barely rise.
There's been little debate on how spending changes as people progress through retirement. Yet, it's a critical issue as it can have a significant impact on the level of savings required at the point of retirement.
Recently, I compiled a list of ASX stocks that you could buy and hold forever. Here’s a follow-up list of US stocks that you could own indefinitely, including well-known names like Microsoft, as well as lesser-known gems.
The $3 million super tax will capture retired, and soon to retire, public servants and politicians who are members of defined benefit superannuation schemes. Lobbying efforts for exemptions to the tax are intensifying.
In the six months of my battle with brain cancer, one part of financial markets has fascinated me, and it’s probably not what you think. What's led the pages of my reading is real estate, especially residential.
Shoppers are cutting back spending at supermarkets, gyms, and bakeries to cope with soaring insurance and education costs as household spending continues to slump. Renters especially are feeling the pinch.
A Senate Committee reported back last week with a majority recommendation to pass the $3 million super tax unaltered. It looks like the tax is coming, and this is what those affected should be doing now to prepare for it.
The recent bank reporting season saw all the major banks report solid results, large share buybacks, and very low bad debts. Here's a look at the main themes from the results, and the winners and losers.
What is the catalyst for smalls caps to start outperforming their larger brethren? Cheap relative valuation is bullish though it isn't a catalyst, so here's a look at what else could drive a long-awaited turnaround.
'Putting your affairs in order' is a term that is commonly used when people are approaching the end of their life. It is not as easy as it sounds, though it should not overwhelming, or consume all of your spare time.
By 2028, all Baby Boomers will be eligible for retirement and the Baby Boomer bubble will have all but deflated. Where will this generation's money end up, and what are the implications for the wealth management industry?