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Preparing for a Confident Retirement Transition

A recently semi-retired couple in their early 60s approached Focused Advisers with a clear objective: to confidently plan for full retirement within two years. With one partner returning to full-time employment for a final professional stint, and the other receiving a JobSeeker allowance due to medical constraints, they were seeking guidance on how best to manage the upcoming sale of their investment property, optimise superannuation, and ensure long-term financial security and flexibility.

While the couple had already laid strong financial groundwork - including owning their principal residence debt-free and selling an investment property valued at approximately $690,000 - they faced several complex questions:

  • How should they invest the $670,000 anticipated proceeds from the property sale?
  • Could they meet their targeted retirement spending of $60,000 per year, with an additional $35,000 annually for five years of travel?
  • How might returning to full-time employment affect their Centrelink entitlements and super contributions?
  • Were their super portfolios aligned with their desired risk profile?
  • What tax strategies could they adopt to make the most of their renewed income stream?

Our Approach

We started by taking a comprehensive view of their current financial position, life goals, and timeline. Here's how we helped:


1. Clarifying Their Retirement Vision

We developed a 2-year roadmap aligned to their goals:

  • Invest the property proceeds strategically.
  • Ensure $35,000 remained liquid short-term for travel planning.
  • Retire in 2026 with a predictable income stream for lifestyle and travel.

2. Superannuation & Investment Strategy

Both clients held superannuation balances over $300,000 each, and their risk profiles aligned with a balanced strategy. We:

  • Rebalanced their super portfolios to match risk appetite.
  • Explored salary sacrifice and transition-to-retirement (TTR) options to reduce tax and enhance retirement savings.
  • Modelled scenarios to ensure income sustainability for the desired retirement lifestyle.

3. Centrelink Implications

We carefully assessed the impact of their return to full-time work on their JobSeeker and Health Care Card entitlements, while monitoring their eligibility over the coming months.

4. Liquidity and Tax Planning

Given their debt-free status and healthy asset base, we:

  • Prioritised liquidity for travel and short-term spending.
  • Structured investments for tax efficiency, particularly around capital gains from the property sale.

Outcome

Through a collaborative and tailored advice process, the couple now has:

  • A clear two-year strategy to fully retire, with financial confidence.
  • An investment plan for their lump sum that balances long-term growth and short-term liquidity.
  • Reassurance that their super portfolios match their goals and risk comfort.
  • Clarity on their Centrelink status and a plan to adjust entitlements as life evolves.