retirement

Living the European dream in retirement has its attractions. But meticulous planning and a healthy wallet are necessary ingredients to ensure it doesn’t become a nightmare.

Two experienced financial advisers draw up a roadmap on how to achieve a secure and happy retirement.

Many retirees are attracted to the notion of self-managing their nest eggs – a bid to find self-worth in retirement. It can be a poor choice.

Investors thinking of switching super funds should carefully consider the costs involved, make sure they do their paperwork and keep their various retirement accounts straight, says Heffron Consulting’s Meg Heffron. To avoid “nasty surprises”, it all comes down to careful planning.

Up until recently, alternative investments were only really open to institutional investors, but with these now available at a wholesale and retail level the retirement strategy game has changed.

Up until recently, alternative investments were only really open to institutional investors, but with these now available at a wholesale and retail level the retirement strategy game has changed.

Ever since the GFC, interest rates around the world have been on a trajectory to zero, which acted as a proxy tax on investing for retirement for millions. But the current economic is a whole new ball game, writes Drew Meredith.

A key consideration for SMSF members is how their retirement will impact their fund’s investment strategy. To navigate these tricky waters, members must plan around long-term needs, and input from experts can help prevent costly mistakes, according to Accurium principal Melanie Dunn.

The institution has entered the post-Retirement Income Covenant market race with an out-of-the-box hybrid offering that may well attract a swathe of retirees.

As the quantum of advisers has decreased those that remain have consolidated client books, which has led to a higher proportion of high-balance SMSFs coming under advice.