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When Helen first came to us in 2020, she was in her late 50s, single, and unsure if she was on track for retirement. Her long-term adviser had retired, and after meeting with his replacement she felt she wasn’t getting the personalised guidance she needed. With her goal of retiring in her early 60s, Helen wanted clarity and confidence that she could maintain her lifestyle — including her love of travel — throughout retirement.
Client Stories - Pre-Retirement
Helen’s Journey to Retirement Confidence
Overview
The challenges Helen faced included
- Paying well above industry average fees on her superannuation fund
- Contributing to super in a tax-inefficient way
- An overly aggressive investment strategy for her stage of life
- Uncertainty about whether she could achieve her retirement income and travel goals
Our solutions focused on
- Moving her super to a low-cost provider, cutting her annual fees by more than 70%
- Optimising her contributions through salary sacrifice, which improved her tax position while boosting her retirement savings
- Adjusting her investments to a more balanced mix, reducing risk as retirement approached while still providing growth
- Putting in place proper estate planning arrangements for peace of mind
- Providing ongoing advice and regular reviews, ensuring her strategy stayed on track as her income, lifestyle goals, and retirement plans evolved
Where Helen is Now
Five years later, Helen is on the cusp of retirement with her superannuation balance having more than doubled, no debt, and a clear plan to achieve a comfortable retirement income. She has also enjoyed overseas travel during this time, proving that with the right plan, lifestyle and savings can work hand-in-hand.
Helen describes working with us as having a “security blanket” — giving her the confidence to make big financial decisions, from selling an investment property to moving into a retirement community. She now looks ahead to retirement knowing she has both the financial foundation and ongoing support to enjoy the years ahead.
These stories are real client stories. For privacy protection, we have changed their name and used an stock image.
