Retirement doesn’t sneak up all at once, then politely wait for you to be ready. One day you realise your “someday” plan needs actual numbers, and that’s where a retirement plan audit earns its keep. We walk through how we go from a retirement vision to a realistic retirement budget, then work backwards to check if you’re on track, using practical tools like the ASFA Retirement Standard and the retirement calculators on major super fund websites.

We also talk about the limits of most online superannuation calculators, especially if you’ve got assets outside super like shares, cash, term deposits, or investment property. From there we get into the real-world decisions people face: how to avoid having all your eggs in one basket, how to respond if you feel behind at 50 or 60, and why tiny savings hacks rarely move the needle compared to the bigger levers like contributions, time in the market, and your retirement date.

The conversation goes deeper into the risks retirees actually worry about, including illness and medical costs that Medicare may not cover. We explain why liquidity matters, how a cash buffer and lower-volatility assets can stabilise a portfolio, and what to watch for with Centrelink and the Age Pension, including what counts as an asset, how home contents are valued, and the five-year gifting rule that can catch families off guard. If you want clearer next steps for retirement planning in Australia, hit subscribe, share this with someone who’s avoiding their numbers, and leave us a review with the question you want answered next.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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