Therefore, careful planning can help ensure you are financially comfortable.
Prior to retirement, there are some important questions you need to ask yourself, including:
Planning ahead can assist you in making the most of what you have and help you achieve financial security, reduce uncertainty and enjoy your retirement.
There are many different options available to help fund your retirement. These include taking your super as a cash lump sum, purchasing an income stream product to give you a regular income or a combination of both.
An account-based pension is purchased with super monies and provides a flexible, tax-effective, regular retirement income stream. It is not guaranteed, however the payments are flexible and can be any amount over the minimum limits set by the Government. Any capital remaining upon death is distributed to your estate or dependants.
An immediate annuity on the other hand is an investment of a lump sum, usually with a life insurance company, that provides a regular guaranteed income for a specified period. The income will depend on the initial investment, frequency of payments and the prevailing interest rate. The income you receive is generally set at the time of investment and may be indexed.
Each type of income stream has different features. A Bridges financial planner can help you with these changes and your retirement planning by identifying income options that best suit your circumstances and goals.
Is there a gap in your retirement savings? Why not take a look at our retirement gap calculator which can help you compare how much you have and how long it will last, compared to the lifestyle you want. A financial planner can help you identify appropriate strategies to get you on track for a super retirement.
For more information view the Bridges online videos. Choose the ‘How much super is enough’ or ‘Retirement income options’ to find out more about planning for your retirement.
For more help and support, please contact us.
