Retirement Essentials

Moving a loved one into aged care can feel overwhelming, especially with the complex financial rules around the family home, aged care deposits, and Centrelink tests. Whether it makes sense to keep, rent or sell the family home depends on who is still living there and how you plan to pay your aged care fees. Since these decisions affect your pension and care costs differently, it is critical to get it right to protect your entitlements and pay any aged care fees in the most efficient way.

Navigating Residential Aged Care: Your top five questions answered Here are answers to five of the most commonly asked questions about navigating residential aged care from our advisers

Proposed changes to Capital Gains Tax from July 2027 will replace the flat 50 per cent discount on assets held for more than 12 months with an inflation-adjusted cost base. Any capital growth built up before 30 June 2027 will remain under the current rules, making accurate asset records essential for the transition date. Age Pension recipients are exempt from the new 30 per cent minimum tax rate, meaning they continue to pay lower marginal rates on capital gains. While your family home remains fully exempt, timing the future sale of other assets sales could significantly change your overall tax position. You can model different asset sale scenarios and pension impacts using our Retirement Forecaster.

Capital gains tax changes from 1 July 2027 Proposed Capital Gains Tax (CGT) changes from 1 July 2027 could affect the amount of tax you pay when you sell.

While the Reserve Bank of Australia held interest rates steady last week, rising living costs mean many older Australians on fixed incomes are feeling the pinch. As a result, some adult children are stepping in to help with housing, medical bills or home modifications. The good news is that if family members pay your bills directly, your Age Pension typically remains unaffected. However, if cash gifts remain in your bank account, they become assessable assets and are subject to deeming rules. You can use our Age Pension Eligibility Calculator to see how a change in your cash balance impacts your fortnightly payments.

Understanding how financial help from family affects your Age Pension An easy way to get and keep your Age Pension. Make sure you get all you are entitled to. Try our free online Age Pension calculator today

When Maria left her high-income FIFO role to become a full-time carer for her partner Gilbert, their household went from two incomes to one overnight. Faced with an outstanding mortgage and complex Centrelink rules, they turned to Andrew Dunkerley to map out a secure path forward. By exploring a scenario of clearing debt, setting up an Account-Based Pension, and maximising Gilbert’s Age Pension and carer support, Andrew confirmed their spending was sustainable until at least age 90. This strategy eliminated financial stress, leaving Maria free to focus entirely on Gilbert's care.

Can Maria and Gilbert maintain financial certainty during a caregiving transition? At 60, Maria resigned from her long-term FIFO role to provide full-time care for her 68-year-old partner. Here is how Andrew was able to help.

If your Age Pension payments do not match your expectations, it is often because Centrelink is holding outdated income or asset values. While super balances update automatically twice a year, changes to any property holdings and the number of shares you hold must be manually reported. Requesting a Detailed Income and Asset Statement via myGov allows you to check the figures Centrelink is using to calculate your rate. Fixing any errors early ensures you get paid the right amount—including any backpay you may be owed.

What to do if you think Centrelink have your eligibility wrong A good first step is to request a detailed review of your income and assets. This allows you to confirm exactly what Centrelink has recorded.

After years of saving, it is often tough to switch gears and start spending—even if you have the funds. Many retirees hold back when it comes to spending because they lack a clear view of how long their money might last. Bridging this gap comes down to targeted financial modelling, which turns your super balance into a clear roadmap. By seeing how your super and Age Pension work together over time, you can enjoy your bucket list today without compromising your future security.

Should you spend and not plan longer term? Faced with an unexpected question: Can I afford to spend my money? For many Australians, this is one of the hardest parts of retirement.

When Jamie’s mother needed permanent residential aged care, the family faced an immediate need to fund a $695,000 accommodation deposit alongside mounting daily fees. With the family home tied up in an unsettled estate, they were temporarily asset-rich but cash-poor, needing a clear strategy to navigate three distinct financial pathways. By modelling the options—from paying the high Daily Accommodation Payment to taking out a loan or selling the home—a two-stage bridging strategy emerged. Drawing on a super payout covered initial costs, buying the family time to sell the property and clear the deposit in full, while taking the pressure off with reduced ongoing costs.

Finding the best path through aged care for Jamie's mum Jamie's mother was diagnosed with early-stage dementia and needed permanent residential aged care. Here is how Nicole helped.

Using home equity to top up retirement income has long been a well-kept secret, but more retirees are beginning to see its value. The government-backed Home Equity Access Scheme allows Australians aged 67 or older to access wealth tied up in their home as regular non-taxable fortnightly payments or lump sums. With a low interest rate of 3.95 per cent and built-in protections like the ‘No Negative Equity Guarantee,’ it can be a secure way to increase your income without reducing your Age Pension when drawn regularly. Exploring how your home can support your retirement lifestyle might just be the income boost you have been looking for.

A user's guide to the Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS) Using home equity as a retirement income seems to be the last well kept secret. Focus on the government’s Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS).

The widely quoted '$1 million' retirement target often creates unnecessary anxiety, making everyday Australians feel as though they are lagging behind. In reality, comfortable retirement is not about hitting a rigid headline figure; it is about how effectively you combine your super, personal savings, and Age Pension entitlements. By looking at real-life scenarios—such as using super to clear a home mortgage—you can eliminate ongoing interest, lower your assessable assets, and significantly boost your annual Age Pension payouts. Understanding how these moving parts fit together helps turn financial uncertainty into a clear, actionable plan tailored to your household.

The $1 million retirement myth An easy way to get and keep your Age Pension. Make sure you get all you are entitled to. Try our free online Age Pension calculator today

Sarah had nearly $1 million in combined cash and superannuation, yet rising rents and a recent tax bill left her feeling caught in a 'doom and gloom' mindset. By running detailed comparative forecasting, our team showed that scenarios involving both buying a property and continuing to rent potentially offered sustainable paths forward. By discussing potential super contribution strategies and identifying future Rent Assistance entitlements, Sarah gained a thorough understanding of her options and was able to plan for her next steps with confidence.

Does Sarah have enough to stop worrying about housing? Sarah had nearly $1 million in savings, but owns no property. Should she continue renting or start looking for property?