Planning your retirement

For many people this is a really exciting time of life - a time when they start making lists of everything they want to see and do. Chances your children are independent, enabling you to save more for the future. Regardless of whether retirement is 10 months or 10 years away, it's never to soon (or late) to start getting serious about retirement planning.

Your financial planner can help you make sense of the vast array of information that bombards pre-retirees and offer strategies to help maximise your retirement income. If you still have a mortgage, speak to your financial planner about debt management and strategies to pay off your debt sooner - you may be surprised at how much you can save.

Of course, this is the time you need to feel confident that your superannuation is under control. Your financial planner can help you find out just how much money you will need to fund the retirement you've dreamed of. If your spouse is not working it may be worthwhile making spouse contributions.

This is also the time that some people wonder about their eligibility for social security benefits. Depending on your circumstances your financial planner can structure your finances so that you are eligible for the age pension.