Australian Retirement Podcast

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O'Reilly, from Northeast Wealth kick off their summer miniseries by going back to basics on super contributions. They break down ALL the ways you can get money into super, including concessional contributions (employer, salary sacrifice, and personal deductible), non-concessional contributions, the downsizer scheme, and the often-overlooked CGT retirement exemption that could let you contribute up to $500,000 tax-free. Whether you're just starting out or want to maximize your final years before retirement, this episode gives you the complete playbook - plus one simple tip that could change everything: automate your contributions. If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode on super contributions, you'll love the series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Topics covered today: - Why bother contributing to super at all? - Concessional contributions explained: employer, salary sacrifice, and personal deductible - Understanding contribution caps and catch-up provisions - Non-concessional contributions and the bring-forward rule - Downsizer contributions - the $300,000 opportunity - CGT retirement exemption - up to $500,000 per person - The one automation tip that makes contributions effortless Resources for this episode - ATO Concessional Contributions - ATO Non-Concessional Contributions - ATO Downsizer Contributions - Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Rask Resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been an incredible year for the Australian Retirement Podcast! As we head into the Christmas break, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth look back at the biggest moments, most important lessons, and most-watched episodes of 2025. From market volatility and ethical investing debates to government policy changes and real-world retirement strategies, this year has been packed with insights to help you navigate your retirement journey. In this special highlights episode, Drew and James revisit: The 20 things every retiree should do – MyGov and carried forward contributions (Jan 2025) Bec Wilson on planning for 30 years of retirement income (27 March) Retiring early – maximising your peak saving years (31 October) Inheritance shock and hidden taxes on estates (22 May) Division 296 super tax changes – is your super tax going up in 2025? Justin Bott from Services Australia on Age Pension strategies Travel smart tips and the $20k portfolio impact (26 June) The $1.2 billion super scandal breakdown (24 October) Key lessons learned and what's coming in 2026 Whether you're new to the podcast or a long-time listener, this episode is the perfect way to catch up on the year's most important retirement lessons. If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast Christmas special, you'll love the series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Resources for this episode Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Visit TermPlus to learn more Rask Resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your host Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, sits down with retirement expert and best-selling author Bec Wilson to explore the Epic Retirement Tick - a groundbreaking framework for assessing retirement readiness. Bec, author of How to Have an Epic Retirement and Prime Time, founder of Epic Retirement and educator, shares insights from her latest initiative addressing a critical gap in Australia's retirement landscape. While we have excellent tools for accumulation, the transition to retirement often leaves Australians feeling uncertain about whether their super fund can truly deliver the retirement they've been promised. The Epic Retirement Tick emerged from recognising this gap - a comprehensive assessment framework covering 18 key criteria that super funds should meet to be genuinely retirement-ready. From the purpose of the assessment to the products included, Bec explains how this differs from simply chasing low fees and top performance during accumulation phase. Drew and Bec discuss the role of the Epic Retirement Institute, the partnership with Chant West in developing this assessment, and the surprising trends emerging in retirement products across Australia. They also touch on the Retirement Income Covenant introduced in 2022 and why progress has been disappointingly slow despite regulatory momentum. If you're approaching retirement or already there, this episode offers invaluable insights into what your super fund should be doing to support you through this critical life transition. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Topics covered today: - Introduction to the Epic Retirement Tick and why Bec created it - The 18 key criteria for retirement-ready super funds - How the Epic Retirement Tick differs from accumulation-focused assessments - The role of Chant West and the Epic Retirement Institute The Retirement Income Covenant (2022) and its slow implementation - Trends in retirement products and what super funds need to do to get the "tick" - What Australians approaching retirement should know about this framework Resources for this episode ⁠Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast)⁠ ⁠Epic Retirement Tick information⁠ ⁠Download Bec's Epic Retirement checklist⁠ Bec Wilson's books: Prime Time and How to Have an Epic Retirement ⁠Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast)⁠ ⁠Visit TermPlus to learn more⁠ Rask Resources ⁠All services⁠ ⁠Financial Planning⁠ ⁠Invest with us⁠ ⁠Access Show Notes⁠ ⁠Ask a question⁠ ⁠We love feedback!⁠ Follow us on social media: Instagram: ⁠@rask.invest⁠ TikTok: ⁠@rask.invest⁠ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O'Reilly, from Northeast Wealth tackle one of the most complex parts of Australian retirement planning: the superannuation tax system. How many different tax rates apply to super? The answer might shock you - it's around 20 different rates, depending on your situation! Drew and James break down every tax that can hit your superannuation at different stages: – Contributing to super: From the standard 15% contributions tax to Division 293's extra 15% for high earners – Growing your super: Investment earnings, capital gains, and the new Division 296 tax on balances above $3 million – Accessing your super: The zero-rate sweet spot after 60, and the traps if you access it earlier – Leaving super behind: Death benefit taxes that can hit your beneficiaries with rates up to 32% Plus, in the opening banter, James shares stories from his Disney cruise weekend and the eye-watering cost of Oasis concert tickets. Are luxury holidays actually cheaper than camping these days? If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode on super taxes, you'll love the series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Topics covered today: - The 20 different tax rates that can apply to your superannuation - Contributions taxes: 15%, Division 293, and excess caps - Earnings taxes: Accumulation vs pension phase - Non-arm's length income (NALI) and the 45% trap - Division 296: The new tax on super balances above $3M and $10M - Strategies to minimise super taxes throughout your retirement journey Resources for this episode Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Visit TermPlus to learn more Rask Resources All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your host Owen Rask speaks with Tony Crescenzi, Executive Vice President and Market Strategist at PIMCO, to discuss: – Why defensiveness is PIMCO’s current strategy – The lessons from over four decades in markets – The concept of a new global monetary order – Where bonds fit for modern Australian investors If you love learning about macro investing, fixed income or market strategy, subscribe to the Australian Retirement Podcast on ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or ⁠YouTube⁠! Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠ for more investing insights. Topics Covered – Tony’s best non-financial investment & personal reflections – What he looks at each morning to gauge markets – Where this moment ranks in terms of global dislocation – Insights from his books and what his next one might be – Tariffs as a historic experiment & biggest market risks – How he thinks central banks will respond next – The “new global monetary order” and how it’s unfolding – Revising the 10-year yield: what’s changed? – How PIMCO expresses a defensive framework in portfolios – Advice for Aussie investors with equity-heavy portfolios – The future of the 60/40 portfolio model – Why Crescenzi maintains optimism amid macro uncertainty – AI’s potential impact on bond investors & PIMCO – What gives Tony hope and perspective as a long-term investor – What Tony would tell his younger self about markets and life Resources for This Episode ⁠Learn more about PIMCO’s outlook and strategies⁠ ⁠Tony Crescenzi at PIMCO⁠ ⁠Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast)⁠ ⁠Visit TermPlus to learn more⁠ Rask Resources ⁠All services⁠ ⁠Financial Planning⁠ ⁠Invest with us⁠ ⁠Access Show Notes⁠ ⁠Ask a question⁠ ⁠We love feedback!⁠ Follow us on social media: Instagram: ⁠@rask.invest⁠ TikTok: ⁠@rask.invest⁠ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices