Australian Retirement Podcast

Will Australian property prices recover in 2027—or is another round of rate pressure still ahead? In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Chris Bates, mortgage broker and co-host of the Australian Property Podcast, to explore how the housing cycle affects retirees, parents helping adult children and first-home buyers. Chris explains why any rebound depends heavily on interest rates and why a national headline can hide very different conditions in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. They discuss fewer quality listings, housing supply bottlenecks and why buyers can lose negotiating power before reported prices show a turn. For parents and grandparents, the question is bigger than timing the market. They unpack the ‘bank of mum and dad’: gifting versus lending a deposit, what happens if a relationship breaks down, and why helping someone buy the wrong property could create new risks. They also examine the 5% deposit scheme without assuming a smaller deposit makes…

Are you leaving retirement to chance—or letting an assumption quietly shape a decision you may regret? In this episode of the Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen Rask and financial adviser Tahli Cavagnino turn seven common retirement mistakes into practical questions you can ask today. They begin with planning too late: why waiting until 60 can leave less time to adjust your savings, super and spending expectations. From there, they question the idea that property will always deliver the same growth and income, especially if too much wealth is tied up in one asset. Owen and Tahli look at the risks of carrying debt into retirement without a repayment strategy, reacting too quickly to tax headlines, and counting on shares to deliver a fixed return every year. They explain why understanding trade-offs and diversifying across assets matters more than predicting exactly what markets or policy will do next. They also tackle the quieter mistake of doing nothing because the choices feel overwhelming. A smaller first…

In this episode of the Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Kanish Chugh from PIMCO to explain why bonds are back — and how retirees can build income without asking one asset to do every job. After a decade in which low interest rates pushed many Australians towards shares and property, fixed income is offering a more meaningful source of income again. Owen and Kanish compare bonds with term deposits, franked dividends and hybrids, then unpack how government and corporate bonds can contribute income, liquidity, diversification and capital stability. They also revisit the classic 60/40 portfolio. What happens when the “forgotten 40%” starts working again? And why do professional investors often prefer active management in bonds even when they use index funds for shares? The conversation covers the risks that matter most in retirement: inflation and purchasing power, sequencing withdrawals during market falls, concentration in property or equities, liquidity, and the possibility that…

What actually happens to your super when you retire? ⁠Try our free wealth checker tool⁠ ⁠Get financial advice⁠ It sounds like there should be a giant red button that says “retirement mode” — but, as usual with super, it’s a little more paperwork-y than that. In this episode of The Australian Finance Podcast, also shared on The Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen is joined by Tahli Cavagnino, Senior Financial Adviser and co-head of financial advice at Rask Advice, to unpack what happens to your super as you move towards retirement. General advice warning: This episode contains general information and general advice only. Please consider your own circumstances and seek professional advice before making financial decisions. We cover when you can generally access your super, what “pension mode” actually means, how super can be taxed before and after retirement, and some of the big trade-offs people face as they approach retirement. Plus, we answer listener questions on indexed versus active high growth super…

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Kanish Chugh, Head of ETF Sales at PIMCO Australia, to unpack why higher interest rates are changing the case for defensive assets. They explore why bonds are no longer the 'boring' part of a portfolio, what today's yield environment means for retirees and income-focused investors, and why the starting yield on fixed income matters more than many people realise. Owen and Kanish break down the trade-offs between savings accounts, term deposits and cash ETFs, including why liquidity, monthly distributions and portfolio role matter just as much as headline yield. They also explain how short-duration strategies differ from longer-duration bond exposures, why retirees often need a clearer cash plan than accumulators, and how fixed income can reduce the need to sell growth assets in weak markets. If you're building a retirement income plan, managing a cash bucket or simply trying to understand where fixed income fits in 2026, this…

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Ryan Dinsdale from Deposit Power to unpack a part of the property journey that can quietly shape retirement decisions: how downsizers bridge the gap between selling one home and buying the next. Ryan explains why the real challenge is rarely just finding the right property. It is timing the two transactions, freeing up enough equity, and avoiding a rushed decision that leaves cash sitting idle or forces a more expensive financing option. The conversation compares the usual paths people think about, including selling first, buying first and using a bridging loan, before breaking down how a deposit bond works as an alternative. They also explore when a deposit bond may suit retirees and pre-retirees buying off the plan, bidding at auction or trying to keep money in an offset, investments or super for longer. Just as importantly, Ryan walks through the trade-offs, the application process, the fee structure and the safeguards that help…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, James O'Reilly and Drew Meredith unpack one of the biggest retirement planning mistakes: assuming your spending stays flat for decades. They explain why retirement expenses are rarely linear, why some costs fall away while others creep higher, and how that can change the timing of when you can comfortably stop working. The episode opens with the latest super fund return numbers and a reminder not to confuse one strong year with a long-term plan. From there, James and Drew tackle the explosion in ETF choices on the ASX. They explain why lower fees and easier access have improved investing, but also why too much choice can create new risks for retirees and near-retirees, especially when thematic products make it easy to chase stories instead of strategy. The episode also gets practical about spending. Housing, travel, health costs and helping adult children can all shape retirement in ways spreadsheets often miss. They share a useful framework for separating…

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly unpack ASIC’s latest report into adviser fees and the growing pressure on super platforms to prove clients are getting fair value. It’s a timely conversation for retirees, pre-retirees and business owners who are wondering what financial advice should cost, what good oversight looks like, and how to ask sharper questions before signing on. Drew and James explore why platform-based fee deductions have become such a focus, what ASIC appears to be targeting, and how poor-value advice can still slip through even in a heavily regulated system. They also break down the tension between cost and value: why the cheapest adviser is not always the best fit, why specialised advice often costs more, and what investors should expect to receive in return. The episode finishes with a practical listener question from a couple comparing two very different advice proposals. If you’ve ever wondered whether an upfront fee is too high, how ongoing…

Australian Retirement Podcast hosts James O'Reilly and Drew Meredith step away from base-case planning and ask a harder question: what could genuinely go wrong for retirees if markets stop behaving? They unpack three plausible stress scenarios investors should understand: sticky inflation that keeps bond yields high and squeezes equity valuations, private-market pressure that exposes illiquidity and stretched assumptions, and a geopolitical shock from oil to Taiwan that hits supply chains, sentiment and portfolio returns all at once. The point is not to predict disaster, but to understand the chain reaction before fear takes over. Then they bring it back to real life with two thoughtful listener questions. First, what should a 60-year-old do after inheriting $500,000 when the pull between enjoying life, helping the kids and protecting retirement feels impossible to balance? Second, if retirement is only two years away, is it smarter to pay down the mortgage aggressively or lean harder into super when both…

Australian Retirement Podcast hosts James O'Reilly and Drew Meredith tackle a problem that quietly traps a lot of retirees and pre-retirees: when a great investment becomes too big to ignore, but selling feels impossible because of capital gains tax. Using familiar names like CSL and Cochlear, they unpack why tax fear can keep people stuck in overexposed positions long after the risk has changed. The real question is not whether paying CGT hurts. It does. The better question is whether holding an undiversified portfolio is even more dangerous when one position starts to dominate your retirement plan and your future income. From there, Drew and James widen the lens to the property market, why some investors underestimate downturn risk, and how high rates, weak clearance rates and stretched affordability could shape the next chapter for housing. They also explain why property often gets more emotional leeway than shares, simply because it is not repriced in front of us every day. The episode also moves from…

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, James O'Reilly and Drew Meredith walk through the biggest financial-year changes retirees, pre-retirees and business owners should be thinking about right now. The conversation covers the flood of FY27 planning questions now landing on advisers’ desks, from family trust rules and negative gearing changes to contribution caps, transfer balance caps and the practical reality of Div 296. James and Drew explain what is already changing, what is only proposed, and where people should be planning ahead rather than panicking. They unpack the implications of minimum tax proposals for discretionary trusts, the changing case for property, why payday super matters more than many people realise, and how asset location could become more important for people with larger balances inside and outside super. The episode also answers two practical listener questions: how reversionary pensions work inside an SMSF when Div 296 is in the mix, and whether long service leave is…

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly unpack the latest retreat from the Federal Budget's most controversial tax changes and what it means for retirees, pre-retirees and business owners trying to plan ahead. They explain why the government eased back on small-business CGT concessions, what the clarification on testamentary trusts really fixes, and why the age pension carve-out could become one of the most important strategic details in the whole package. The conversation then shifts to the Greens' push to ban SMSF borrowing for residential property, including why that proposal matters for rental supply, investor behaviour and the broader retirement planning landscape. Rather than stopping at headlines, Drew and James focus on the behavioural fallout: how people may respond when tax rules change, why good policy can still create bad incentives, and what retirees need to watch before making major moves with property, trusts or super. They also answer a practical…

In this episode of the Australian Retirement Podcast, Drew Meredith is joined by Caite Brewer, a Queensland barrister who specialises in wills, estate disputes and superannuation. They unpack the estate-planning mistakes that can create years of conflict after someone dies, including DIY wills, informal wills, probate disputes, family provision claims and poor communication inside families. Caite explains why a will written on a napkin can sometimes still be valid, what solemn form probate actually means, and why executors, blended families and warring siblings can end up in court for years. The conversation also dives into superannuation, binding death nominations and family trusts. Drew and Caite explore why super is often treated differently from the rest of an estate, how small SMSF paperwork errors can derail a plan, and why specialist advice matters when family wealth is spread across wills, trusts and super. They also discuss elder abuse, the warning signs families miss, and the practical steps that…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, James O'Reilly and Drew Meredith unpack a side of retirement planning spreadsheets cannot solve: what happens when you stop working. Using four retirement archetypes - stayers, leavers, blenders and the disengaged - they explain why people can thrive after leaving work or feel flat, isolated and directionless even when the money looks fine on paper. The conversation then turns to the practical friction many Australians underestimate. Drew explains why getting money out of an SMSF can take longer than expected, why interim accounts and asset valuations matter, and why winding up or rolling out a fund is rarely as simple as pressing sell. They also tackle the emotional side of the transition, including how connected you are to your current work and how ready you are for what comes next. James and Drew round it out with listener questions on growth versus defensive assets at 75, reversionary pensions, and what a surviving spouse needs to think about if a death…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O’Reilly, from Northeast Wealth, pull back the curtain on what actually happens between “let’s get some advice” and the document landing on your desk 10 weeks later — and why proper modelling involves a lot more than three columns on a spreadsheet. They also talk through a confronting client story where test-driving the retirement budget cut spending by nearly 40 per cent, and answer two big listener questions on healthcare buffers and complex SMSF property holdings. Topics covered today - Markets at all-time highs while every news headline says the world is broken — what the disconnect means for retirees - The Atlassian whipsaw and what it says about AI panic in big tech valuations - Why a statement of advice takes four to ten weeks: research, third-party authorities, modelling, quality control - Three-input modelling versus proper multivariate modelling — and why most calculators sit at the lazy end -…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O’Reilly, from Northeast Wealth, bust the myth that financial advice fees are fully tax-deductible after the 2024 changes, walk through a real client case where an insurance refund accidentally triggered the bring-forward non-concessional cap, and run the numbers on what a daily coffee, a weekly pub meal, and three streaming services really cost a retiree over 25 years. They also explain what professional indemnity insurance actually covers (and what it does not), and answer two listener questions: the best month of the year to retire, and whether a still-working 60-year-old with $2 million should set up an allocated pension now. Topics covered today – The myth that all financial advice fees are tax-deductible — what actually changed in 2024 and why accountants are tightening up – A real case study: an insurance premium refund accidentally treated as a non-concessional contribution and the bring-forward…

This episode was originally featured on the Australian Investors Podcast. In this episode, Owen Rask sits down with Senator Andrew Bragg for a wide-ranging conversation about the Federal Budget, housing supply, tax, productivity and why so many Australians feel the country has become harder to get ahead in. Rather than getting stuck in party talking points, they focus on the practical questions investors, business owners and workers are asking right now: what happens when policy makes it harder to build homes, why does productivity matter so much for living standards, and how do taxes, regulation and incentives shape whether Australia creates more wealth or simply fights over what already exists? Andrew explains why he believes cutting housing supply is one of the worst policy choices Australia can make, how rising rents, higher rates and broader cost-of-living pressure are changing the national mood, and why small business, private investment and simpler rules still matter if Australia wants to stay…

Drew Meredith and James O’Reilly on why AI-built retirement modelling routinely gets the numbers dangerously wrong, plus the end-of-financial-year traps and condition-of-release tricks every Australian retiree should know before June 30. In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O’Reilly, from Northeast Wealth, work through five high-stakes mistakes they keep seeing in DIY retirement plans — from AI tools that forget income tax and the age pension, to notice-of-intent timing errors that quietly delete tax deductions worth tens of thousands. They also unpack a clever (and entirely legal) condition-of-release strategy involving the Census, plus how to think about gifting an adult child a house deposit without blowing up your own retirement. Topics covered - Why AI-built and industry-fund retirement calculators keep missing income tax and the age pension - Treating AI like a sharp intern — useful, but you still have to check the work -…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly tackle one of the trickiest questions for Australians heading into retirement: if you still have a large home loan in your 50s, should every spare dollar go into the mortgage, or could super actually be the better lever? Using a real-world case study, they unpack why maximising personal deductible super contributions can sometimes leave retirees in a stronger position than aggressively paying down the loan, particularly when catch-up concessional caps and tax deductions come into play. They also explain the risks: super is locked away, markets are never linear, and the right move depends on cash flow, time horizon and confidence in the plan. The episode also explores a new push to make pensions easier to start, including the idea of defaulting older Australians into pension products later in life. Drew and James dig into where that could help, where it could go too far, and why personal choice still matters. Plus, there’s a…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with footy chaos and ageing parents challenges, then dive into what's really happening in property markets using the fresh Cotality April 2026 report. The Boomer Briefing exposes the super rollover waiting period double hit: outgoing funds must now provide risk warnings before you can switch - designed to make you think twice. But here's the absurd catch: those same funds cannot pay for independent advice about whether switching is right for you. The rules are so restrictive (SOA requirements, payment limits) that advisers won't touch it. So you get the warning... but no help navigating it. Then Drew and James unpack the growing issues in property values. The Cotality April 2026 report reveals what retirees planning to downsize or leverage equity need to know right now - pages 5 and 7 tell the real story behind the headlines. Plus: Are SMSFs actually good for retiree…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O'Reilly, from Northeast Wealth, react to Treasurer Jim Chalmers' Federal Budget bombshell - the biggest shake-up to property and investment tax in a generation. Negative gearing has been axed for future purchases of established property. The 50% CGT discount is gone, replaced by an inflation indexation model. And for the first time, a 30% minimum CGT rate is being layered in - mirrored by a matching 30% minimum on discretionary trust distributions - aimed squarely at older Australians who'd otherwise pay less tax in retirement. Even pre-1985 assets, untouchable for over 40 years, are being dragged into the tax net. Drew and James talk through what's grandfathered, what isn't, what the 1 July 2027 start date means, and why anyone running income through a family trust needs to revisit their strategy. If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode on the Federal Budget, you'll love the series. Don't…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth both spent the holidays in Bright - talking reducing mobility, extending the golden years, and coaching. Plus Grace's bike crash and x-rays. The government just announced financial advisers will no longer need an approved degree - reversing post-Royal Commission reforms. Pre-2019 it was a diploma, post-RC it was a finance degree, now it's any degree plus required finance knowledge. Why the band-aid solution? Adviser numbers are collapsing: 28,000 in 2018, 22,000 in 2020, just 15,000 in 2026 - an all-time low and 46% decline. Red tape is outrageous, costs to deliver advice have ballooned (80% increase since 2019, with 320% increase in the financial advice levy), and there have been very few wins over the last decade. The Boomer Briefing tackles the global recession threat with higher inflation - slowing growth, higher costs for groceries, travel, fuel. How do you manage a…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with camping vs. vanning debate, optimal camping setups, and serious camping envy. Then the worst retirement advice they've ever heard clients repeat: "Put 100% of my super in crypto in the leadup to retirement," "I'll just invest in income stocks," and "Super is a scam, I'll take it all out and put it in a term deposit." The Boomer Briefing unpacks Division 296 and the CGT reset, then dives into the massive 1 July 2026 changes forcing employers to pay super at the same time as salary payments. The ATO estimates $3-4 billion in unpaid super each year - but industry analysis suggests it's closer to $5 billion, representing 3-5% of total super guarantee liabilities. Around 40% is attributed to insolvent employers, another 40% to the shadow economy (cash-based industries, contractor misclassification, underreported wages). Higher-risk workers - casuals, migrants, younger and…

Industry super funds have been hit by hacking attempts and outages. Should you be worried? Drew Meredith and James O’Reilly break down what’s happening — plus answer your top retirement questions on super access, non-concessional contributions, downsizer rules, and early retirement strategies. If you enjoyed this Australian Retirement Podcast episode on protecting your super and retirement planning, subscribe for weekly episodes on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Topics covered today: - Industry super fund hacks and downtime — why it’s worrying - Can you re-contribute super after drawing a pension? - Preservation rules for superannuation: 60, 65, and retirement triggers - How to add a spouse to a property title affordably - Superannuation strategies for couples with large age gaps Resources for this episode Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources Visit TermPlus to learn more Have the chance to win a 5k travel voucher. Take the TermPlus survey here…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with school holiday money-saving tips, then dive into the private credit boom sweeping retirement portfolios. Not all private credit funds are equal. Drew and James break down what retirees need to know: illiquidity premiums, fund manager transparency, borrower quality, concentration risk, and whether evergreen funds are worth the hype. What should you actually look for before jumping into private credit? Then the big question from "Panicking Parents": "My parents have $1M combined super and plan to withdraw ALL of it to move to an individual financial adviser, just like their friends did. What research should we do? How do I convince them to leave it in super?" Drew and James expose the massive red flags, tax implications, and conflicts of interest that families need to understand before making this move. If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, don't…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, we take a close look at the US-Iran war volatility: Should you sell or hold? Did you know, missing the 10 best market days cuts returns in HALF. Plus your week-by-week GFC crash playbook for year 1 retirees. In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth tackle the question terrifying every retiree: with markets down 10%, Iran war escalating, and oil prices spiking - should you SELL or HOLD? The data is brutal. Research shows missing just the 10 best market days over 30 years cuts your returns in HALF. Miss 30 days? Returns drop 84%. The kicker: 76% of the best days happen during bear markets or in the first two months of a bull market. JP Morgan found that seven of the 10 highest-returning days happened within two weeks of the market's largest declines. Drew and James debate both sides - the case for staying invested versus the "this time is different" argument - then answer…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth expose the "balanced" fund myth. Remember "Compare the Pair"? Two funds both labeled "balanced" can hold 40% vs 80% growth assets. Despite influencing millions of retirement outcomes, "balanced" has NO legal, regulatory, or industry-standard definition. It's marketing, not investment strategy. James delivers shocking health news: Add 9 years to your life with just 7-8 hours sleep, 40 minutes moderate exercise daily, and a healthy diet. Even baby steps work - UK study of 59,078 participants found adding just 5 minutes sleep, 2 minutes exercise, and half a vegetable serving per day adds ONE EXTRA YEAR of life expectancy. The Boomer Briefing tackles three critical questions: "Where There's a Will, Is There a Way?" - With life expectancies increasing, when does it make sense to skip your retiree children and leave inheritances directly to adult grandchildren? Can you reassign your…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with breaking news: The Greens have rubber-stamped Div 296 - and they're demanding MORE tax reform. James breaks down what just passed, while Drew exposes the terrifying CGT and trust changes on the horizon. Major tax changes being floated: - New $135K income threshold with stacking provisions - Cap gains tax capped at 30% maximum - CGT discount slashed from 50% to 33% The Boomer Briefing tackles why Australia's pension system ranking has fallen again in the global Mercer CFA Index. We're still top 10, but Netherlands, Denmark, and Iceland are crushing us. Why? The Mercer Index scores three dimensions: Adequacy (benefits/replacement rates), Sustainability (long-term funding), and Integrity (governance/regulation). Australia excels at capital accumulation with our $3.5 trillion super pool and APRA/ASIC regulation - but we're getting destroyed on retirement income design.…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with provocative questions: If they had to retire TODAY on only the Age Pension, what's the first lifestyle change? And if a client wanted to blow $200K in year one on a round-the-world trip - backing them or talking them down? The Boomer Briefing tackles explosive commentary from The Australia Institute, Guardian Australia, and Grattan Institute: Should we scrap super tax concessions entirely and double the Age Pension instead? The math: Super tax concessions cost ~$55-60bn/year ($31bn contributions + $24bn earnings). Age Pension costs ~$62bn/year. The argument: abolish super breaks, double the pension. Would Australians be better off? Drew and James expose why this sounds good but creates long-term disaster: Super concessions reduce future pension costs. Kill the incentive, more people need full pensions, government pays billions more later. Plus high earners shift to…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth tackle two critical developments threatening Australian retirees: escalating Iran conflict and the shocking rise in retirement costs. ASFA's Retirement Standard just hit all-time highs. You now need $730,000 for a comfortable retirement as a couple (homeowners, retiring at 67), or $630,000 for singles. This is the first increase in three years. Why the jump? Retiree costs are rising faster than general inflation. While CPI rose 3.8%, electricity jumped 21.5% (after subsidies expired), coffee/tea up 15.3%, beef up 10.8%, and domestic travel up 9.6%. Your comfortable retirement budget is now $77,375/year for couples or $54,840 for singles. The Boomer Briefing tackles the urgent question on every retiree's mind: What does Iran conflict mean for your retirement portfolio? Plus: Aware Super's Retirement Manager tool delivered shocking results - 96% of members using it now choose…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth tackle why CBA and BHP are both crushing it right now, plus the shocking SMSF boom: 42,000 new funds established in FY25, with the average NEW trustee age dropping to just 47 (vs 61 for existing funds). Why are younger Australians rushing to SMSFs, and 80% doing it without advisers? The Boomer Briefing covers ASIC's major crackdown on dodgy lead generators selling your details to financial advisers, how to spot ethical vs unethical lead generation, and what retirees need to know about being targeted with rollover offers. Plus: How retirees can use AI like Claude in their financial lives, and whether old-fashioned companies are better during market selloffs. Today's big question comes from "Ma & Pa Bank" - a 50-year-old couple with a mortgage-free family home and an investment property, wanting to help their late-teen kids buy homes in 5-8 years. How can they use their property…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with football season excitement - Saints vs Dogs, tickets locked in for June 21, 2026, and the inevitable complaining about obscene player salaries. The Boomer Briefing tackles two critical topics: Q Super's Retirement Bonus - What it is, how it works, eligibility criteria, and whether it's actually worth it or just marketing spin. Selling down assets: Accumulation vs Pension phase - The massive tax differences that could save or cost you tens of thousands. When should you sell? What's the optimal timing? This is pure gold for anyone approaching retirement. Then comes the main event - "Unclench-CtrlAltRetire's" epic question: "I'm 62, currently staring terrified into the retirement abyss with $2M in cash. 50% in a bank at 4.25%, 50% in super on the Members Direct platform, treating the 'Buy' button like it's a detonator. I am paralysed by sequencing risk and overwhelmed…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth deliver critical updates on tax changes and relationship traps that could cost you thousands. After quick summer highlights and the CBA share price update (plenty of AI-driven outperformers despite volatility), they dive into the Boomer Briefing's two massive topics: PROPOSED CGT CHANGES - New proposals threatening the capital gains tax discount could dramatically affect retirement planning and asset sales. Drew and James break down what's being proposed, who's pushing for it, which assets are targeted, and what retirees should do RIGHT NOW before potential changes take effect. Should you accelerate asset sales? Change your portfolio strategy? This is urgent information every retiree needs. INTEREST RATES & INVESTMENT MARKET IMPACT - What's happening with rates and how it's reshaping portfolio strategies heading into 2026. Then comes the de facto relationship pension trap:…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth kick things off with high energy - school drop-offs turning them into unpaid taxi drivers, interest rate movements affecting overseas travel plans, and whether term deposits are finally worth a look again. The Boomer Briefing tackles two massive stories shaking up the super industry: First Guardian & Netwealth finally came to a deal. After months of drama, the collapsed super fund scandal has reached resolution. Drew and James break down what happened and what it means for members. AustralianSuper is experiencing competitive outflows as more members flee to platforms. Why? Access to advice, better retirement planning tools, and broader support beyond generic product offerings. The industry super dominance is being challenged by platforms offering personalized service. What does this mean for your super choice? They also dive into what's happening with commodities - gold,…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth kick things off with Drew's CBA share price bet update. The bet backfired when CBA fell in 2025, costing Drew $150. But he's doubling down - the new bet is whether CBA will finish above or below $150. Will Drew learn his lesson? The Boomer Briefing tackles a fascinating trend: Why are retirees checking their super balances more than their kids' wellbeing? New data reveals heightened anxiety among retired members, particularly in funds like UniSuper where engagement with retirees has spiked. Drew and James unpack what's driving this retirement anxiety and whether it's justified. They also break down what balanced returns look like for calendar year 2025 and reveal the 2025 top super fund performers according to SuperRatings. Then comes today's big question: How do you avoid or reduce paying a massive $130k capital gains tax bill when selling an investment property at or just…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O'Reilly, from Northeast Wealth break down the complete landscape of retirement income in Australia. One of the most common questions financial advisers hear is: "Where will my income actually come from in retirement?" The answer isn't simple—and that's actually a good thing. The most successful retirees don't rely on a single income source; they strategically combine multiple streams to create flexibility, tax efficiency, and security. Drew and James walk through the five main sources of retirement income: allocated pensions from your super, the Age Pension, investment income from shares and property, term deposits and savings accounts, and annuities. They explain how each works, the pros and cons of different strategies, and why having multiple income sources is crucial for managing risk and maintaining lifestyle throughout retirement. They also tackle a big question: Is property really the right asset…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O'Reilly, from Northeast Wealth explain the critical building blocks of a resilient retirement portfolio. Whether you're just starting to think about retirement or already managing your super, understanding asset allocation is one of the most important investment concepts you'll ever learn. This isn't about picking the next hot stock or timing the market—it's about building a portfolio that can generate returns while managing risk over decades. Drew and James break down what asset classes actually are, why diversification matters more in retirement than at any other life stage, and the practical tools you can use to implement a smart asset allocation strategy. They also explain Modern Portfolio Theory in plain English and show you how to think about combining different assets to maximise your potential returns while keeping volatility manageable. If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode on…

The Rask 2026 stock market game is live - it's called Stock Genius. Available at stockgenius.com.au, in collaboration with Navexa, the Rask Stock Market is open for you to compete and enjoy with over 1,000 fellow investors. In this episode, we cover: - Is AI killing app investing in 2026? - Are you a stock market genius? Play our game to find out - How the game works - Smart tracking for portfolios - Owen and Navarre’s top picks Resources for this episode Join the game: https://www.stockgenius.com.au/ Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”- https://amzn.to/42Uz0aK Ask a question (select the Finance podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds: https://bit.ly/beta-25 Rask resources All services: https://bit.ly/R-services Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest Access…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O'Reilly, from Northeast Wealth continue their back-to-basics summer miniseries by tackling one of the most important decisions in retirement planning: which type of super fund is right for you? While the super rules are the same for everyone, the differences between industry funds, SMSFs, platforms, and corporate funds can have a huge impact on your retirement outcome. Drew and James break down what really matters when comparing options: control over investments, transparency of holdings, fee structures, flexibility in strategies, and the ability to tailor your approach. They also demystify the fee structures you'll encounter - from trustee and member fees to administration costs, investment fees (MER and ICR), and transaction costs. Understanding these differences is crucial whether you're starting out or considering a switch in your pre-retirement years. If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith, from Wattle Partners, and James O'Reilly, from Northeast Wealth continue their summer miniseries by tackling the complex world of getting money OUT of your super. They break down the critical concepts of taxable vs tax-free components, preservation age, and the various conditions of release that allow you to access your super. Drew and James explain the difference between lump sum withdrawals and pension payments, and dive into the tax implications - including the infamous 20+ different tax rates that can apply to super (check out their dedicated video for the full breakdown). They also cover the more sensitive topics of death benefits, invalidity payments, and compassionate release provisions including terminal medical conditions. If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode on accessing your super, you'll love the series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.…

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? -…

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…

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…

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…

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…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth tackle a diverse range of retirement topics that matter right now. They kick off with market optimism - CBA is floating around $168, and the hosts ask the provocative question: What if everything goes right? What if Middle East tensions ease, Russia-Ukraine resolves, China stabilizes, and tariff wars end? They also discuss the potential impacts of Australian government policy changes on housing, negative gearing, superannuation, and land tax. The Boomer Briefing covers a crucial development: the ATO is ramping up its use of anti-avoidance laws to target professionals like lawyers, accountants, doctors, and tradies who are using family trusts to redirect income to spouses and children to minimize tax. With AI tools like ChatGPT potentially automating these strategies, the scrutiny is only increasing. Topics Covered Today: - Road tripping to Gippsland and Daylesford - The…

This episode was originally featured on The Australian Finance Podcast. In this episode of The Australian Retirement Podcast, Gemma Mitchell is joined by Tahli — educator, retirement specialist and long-time member of the Rask team. After working with hundreds of Australians approaching retirement, Tahli has seen the same patterns over and over again. Most people feel unprepared. Many feel intimidated by the jargon. And almost everyone worries they’ve “left it too late”. This conversation cuts through the noise and gives listeners a clear, calm starting point for planning the next stage of life. Together, Gemma and Tahli unpack what retirement really looks like in Australia, the biggest misconceptions, and the practical steps that matter most in your 50s and 60s. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why so many people walk away from retirement chats feeling more confused than when they started - How to map out your own personal balance sheet to work out where you stand - Why lifestyle planning is just as…

In this Australian Investors Podcast episode your host, Owen Rask, chats with PIMCO portfolio manager Rob Mead on how fixed income / bond investing works, why timing matters and reasons to invest right now. If you like ETF investing, bonds, passive income, managed funds, or the stock market in general, here's what you'll get: - Rob's lessons from 20 years in bonds- Does timing matter? - Why 95% of a bond's return is the starting point - How to understand the 'yield curve' and maturities - Does Rob think now is the best time to invest in 20 years? - PIMCO's new EARN ETF and what it doesIf you like this Australian Investors Podcast episode on ETF investing, you'll love the series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.This podcast is proudly sponsored by PIMCO. Who is Rob Mead? Robert Mead is a managing director in the PIMCO Sydney office and co-head of Asia-Pacific portfolio management. Previously, he was an executive vice president of the…

In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, your host Owen Rask speaks with Chris Bedingfield of Quay Global Investors about:– Why real estate is an inefficient market– How replacement cost drives long-term property value– Why global REITs offer diversification Australian REITs can’t– Where today’s best opportunities lie across global property sectorsIf you love learning about property, REITs, global markets and income investing, subscribe to the Australian Investors Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube!Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.Topics Covered– Why most investors use the wrong metrics to value real estate– Global vs Australian REITs — major structural differences– How Quay identifies companies trading below replacement cost– Today’s biggest opportunities across housing, storage, senior living and more– Final thoughts on cycles, risk, leverage and staying patientResources for this episodeAsk a question (select the Investors podcast)Visit TermPlus to learn more ⁠Website⁠⁠…

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth discuss the significant changes to Australia's proposed Division 296 superannuation tax legislation. The government has made substantial amendments to the controversial super tax policy, addressing many of the concerns raised by financial advisers, industry groups, and retirees. The most significant change? The removal of tax on unrealised capital gains - a world-first proposal that would have set a dangerous precedent. Drew and James explain what the original proposal entailed, why it was problematic, and what the new changes mean for Australians with substantial superannuation balances. They also discuss the introduction of a new $10 million threshold, indexation of caps, and the delayed implementation timeline. Whether you're approaching retirement with a growing super balance or already retired and managing your wealth, this episode provides crucial insights into how these…