Financial Planning

General Advice

Financial advice is determining how an investor is going to meet their goals and objectives. It is about helping clients define their goals, gathering information and analysing data to make a plan, then implementing the plan and monitoring the results. It is also monitoring and updating goals and objectives as clients move through different phases of life.

Develop an investing plan

'Failing to plan is planning to fail.' It's a cliché but when it comes to investing money, setting and then attaining long term financial objectives, then it makes a lot of sense to have a plan. Also, history shows time and again that the sooner you can start the better the outcomes.

Steps to prepare

• Be clear about your current finances
• Confirm your goals
• Understand risk

Attaining long term objectives is better served by setting some short term goals. For example, such milestones might be set for 1-3 years, then 4-6 years and then 7+ years.

However, just having a plan isn’t enough. It needs to be regularly revisited and amended accordingly. Like the initial drafting of a plan the ongoing monitoring can be complex, increasingly so due to an increasing number of rule and regulation changes. We can help you manage this complexity and provide ongoing monitoring.

Our primary aim is to help you attain your financial objectives.

Retirement Planning

Planning For Your Retirement

More and more people are realising that it is essential to planning well for their retirement.

It’s not just thinking about what to do with your money when you retire but how to maximise what you will have when you begin your retirement. To achieve this goal requires quality advice in the years leading up to retirement, the more the better. Time is needed if various strategies are to be implemented to make the most of your earnings in the pre-retirement period. The longer you plan for retirement and employ professional assistance then the greater the chances that your goal of a happy and prosperous retirement can become a reality.

Giving yourself enough time to plan your retirement is imperative but doing it right is even more so. There are many complex considerations to be managed and it is our job to ensure that your retirement goals and objectives can be met.

A wealthier retirement

While incomes have never been higher so to is our everyday spending and cost-of-living. Previous generations were more frugal but this is rarely the case anymore. Higher spending means that many baby boomers may struggle to get by after retirement on their savings, investment income and the Age pension. A problem made worse by increasing life expectancy.

The more professionally pre-retirees organise their financial affairs in the years leading up to retirement then the better chance of attaining the best results. Professional advice, along with the development of a quality financial plan, is something everyone should have as part of their pre-retirement ‘team’.

Superannuation

Superannuation is mandatory but taking an early and active interest in it is critical to ensuring the benefits it can offer are maximised by the time you retire. Many will have a superannuation scheme through employment but increasing numbers are starting their own Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF).

However, for many, simply relying on employer contributions may not be enough and you may need to look at strategies such as additional contributions or salary sacrifice. Older Australians will need to focus even more on their superannuation strategies because most came to this form of saving later in life.

It is always best to start saving and planning for your retirement as early as you can.

Insurance

Life insurance isn’t just a cost, though it often feels like it. You buy peace-of-mind that should a serious issue effect you then the consequences won’t unduly affect your family. Insurance provides you with the ability to manage the financial and emotional impact of some of the more drastic surprises, whether personally or in your small business.

Insurance can’t replace a loved one but it can help reduce the financial burden by providing the capital to ensure your family has choices.

A yes to any of the following questions means you have a need for insurance coverage. However, many Australians are underinsured and the consequences can be very serious for families should there be a death or serious injury.

1. Do you have a mortgage?
2. Do you have school fees?
3. Do you have any personal loans?
4. Do you have any credit card debt?
5. Do you have dependents?
6. Would your financial position be affected if you were to suffer from an illness or injury?
7. Do you want to have enough capital to look after your dependents if you were unable to care for them for an extended period of time or perhaps indefinitely?

We understand that it can be difficult determining the type and level of cover you might need, let alone choosing an insurer. We can assist by helping you determine your needs and recommend an insurer that is right for you.

Self Managed Super Funds

Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) offer a good strategy option for many individuals, families and small business owners to build tax effective wealth and to protect assets over time. SMSFs are becoming popular for those who are ready to take control of their own super investments as they give you ultimate control and flexibility to manage your retirement benefits.

It must be noted though, that you will have increased responsibilities as a trustee of the fund. As a SMSF Trustee you need to keep up to date with all required regulations and keep up with the fast paced financial markets.

Panacea Wealth Management can work with you to understand your personal financial situation and decide whether a SMSF structure is appropriate for you. We will also make sure your assets are invested in the most effective way to maximise your retirement benefits.

It is generally agreed that there are a number of benefits of an SMSF but it is important that you also understand that an SMSF may not suit your situation, see below for some of the reasons why.

Benefits

• Control - the trustees make the investment decisions.
• Asset allocation – the trustees are in control of asset allocation decisions as well as issues related to borrowing.
• Tax strategies – trustees have control of tax strategies and other planning options.
• Transparency – your SMSF provides you with good transparency concerning investment decisions and gives complete visibility over taxation treatment.
• Cost – the cost of running and administering a SMSF fund are not based on a percentage of the value of the fund but more on the time needed to prepare reports and address relevant compliance matters.

Disadvantages

Running and managing a SMSF may not be suitable to everyone. For example, many of the advantages are also a disadvantage. Costs may be relatively high, there can be too much flexibility for prudent investing, remaining on top of trustee responsibilities can be complex and time consuming, and poor personal knowledge of the investment landscape can have serious consequences.

Should you wish to consider establishing a SMSF then we can help with:

• Establishing your fund
• Annual Compliance Services
• Portfolio Administration Services
• Pension advice
• Superannuation Advisory Services