Case Studies
Common challenges
Which of these sounds like you?
Four questions people aged 50 to 65 often bring to us, and how things moved forward.
Case studies
How each plan came together
These examples show how a clear plan can turn a common retirement worry into steps you can act on.
Can we both stop work at 60 and not run out of money?
Tony (age 58) and Maria (age 56)
Both stop work at 60 without running out of money.
- Start
Good super balances, but a mortgage still owing and no clear idea if they could both stop at 60.
- Year 1
Built a retirement plan and budget. Started extra super contributions and moved to a lower-fee fund.
- Year 2
Used savings to clear the mortgage. Reviewed insurance and updated their wills.
- Where they are now
Mortgage-free, with an income plan from super ready for when they stop work.
I'm 63 and my super is small. Is it too late to fix?
Linda (age 63)
A retirement she can afford, starting at 67.
- Start
A small super balance split across two funds, and a worry that it was too late to catch up.
- Year 1
Combined her super into one fund and started salary sacrifice. Made a new will.
- Year 2
Kept building her savings and planned how her super and the Age Pension will work together.
- Where she is now
One fund with lower fees, and a retirement date she feels confident about.
We've just retired. How much Age Pension can we get, and how do we make our money last?
Peter (age 66) and Susan (age 64)
A reliable income they can count on, extra for travel while they're young enough to enjoy it, and savings that last.
- Start
Newly retired with $640,000 in super between them, but no clear picture of their Age Pension entitlement or how long their savings would last.
- Year 1
Moved Peter's super into an account-based pension for a tax-free income. Kept Susan's super where it was until she reaches 67. Set a travel budget and a cash reserve for market falls.
- Year 2
Peter reached Age Pension age, and they applied with their assets set up and reported correctly.
- Where they are now
A regular income from super and the Age Pension, a travel budget they're comfortable with, and a yearly review to keep Centrelink up to date.
I want to drop to three days a week. What happens if I get sick before I retire?
David (age 55) and Anh (age 52)
Work less without putting the family at risk.
- Start
Wanted to cut back to three days a week, with a mortgage and an old income protection policy never reviewed.
- Year 1
Moved to three days a week with a new budget. Reviewed income protection and set cover to what the family needs.
- Year 2
Started regular super contributions and extra mortgage repayments.
- Where they are now
Working less, properly covered, and paying the mortgage down faster.
Find out where you stand
Whether your situation looks like one of these or not, a free first chat is the easiest way to get clear on your retirement.
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