Retirement with Symposium Financial Group

Retirement with Symposium Financial Group Daily tips, insights and videos on retirement, super and Age Pension for Australians over 50.

29/06/2026

The family home is treated differently under the Age Pension assets test.
Services Australia says a person’s principal home and up to the first 2 hectares of land it is on are generally not included in the Age Pension assets test.
However, land over the first 2 hectares may be assessed, and different rules may apply in some situations, including rural properties and primary producers.
Source: Services Australia.
Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.
This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Age Pension eligibility, assets test treatment and payment rates depend on individual circumstances and Services Australia assessment. Rules may change over time. Before making any financial, retirement or Age Pension decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser or contact Services Australia. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

28/06/2026

A couple approaching retirement had spent years preparing. They had paid off their home, built their super and looked forward to enjoying life on their own terms.

But as retirement drew closer, they hesitated over holidays, meals out and larger purchases.

What if markets fell? What if one needed care? What if their money did not last?

The turning point came when they stopped seeing their money as one balance and considered the jobs it may need to do, support everyday living, cover unexpected costs, provide for future needs and fund new experiences now.

It did not remove uncertainty but it gave them a clearer way to think about their choices.

A good retirement plan is not simply about preserving the largest balance. It is about balancing life today with flexibility tomorrow.

If retirement is approaching and you want clarity around income, savings and lifestyle goals, Symposium can help you explore your options

IMPORTANT
This is an illustrative composite example based on common concerns that may arise for couples approaching retirement. It does not identify or describe any particular Symposium Financial Group client and is not a testimonial, actual client case study, statement of advice provided or representation of an outcome achieved by any person.

The purpose of this content is to provide general information only and is not personal financial advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. References to meeting living expenses, maintaining access to funds for unexpected costs, planning for longer-term needs and allowing for lifestyle spending are general concepts only and are not recommendations to adopt any particular superannuation, investment, cash-flow, asset-allocation or withdrawal strategy.

Retirement outcomes vary and may be affected by spending, investment returns, market movements, inflation, taxation, fees, longevity, health and aged-care costs, Centrelink assessment, legislative change and individual circumstances. Nothing in this content guarantees investment returns, financial security or the sustainability of any retirement lifestyle.

We strongly recommend that you consult a financial adviser before making any financial or investment decision.

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL No. 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Turning 60 can change how super withdrawals are taxed.For many Australians, withdrawals from a taxed super fund after ag...
14/06/2026

Turning 60 can change how super withdrawals are taxed.

For many Australians, withdrawals from a taxed super fund after age 60 are generally tax-free.

🚨However, the tax treatment can depend on the type of super benefit, whether it is paid as a lump sum or income stream, the taxable and tax free components of the benefit, and whether the fund is taxed or untaxed.

Sources: Australian Taxation Office and ASIC Moneysmart.

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.

This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Before making any financial, superannuation or tax decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser or registered tax professional. Superannuation access rules, tax treatment and eligibility conditions may change over time. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Personal deductible super contributions can be useful, but the cap matters.The ATO says personal super contributions cla...
08/06/2026

Personal deductible super contributions can be useful, but the cap matters.

The ATO says personal super contributions claimed as a tax deduction count toward your concessional contributions cap.

Concessional contributions can also include employer Super Guarantee contributions, salary sacrifice contributions and other deductible personal contributions.

That means it is important to check your total concessional contributions before claiming a deduction or making extra contributions.

Source: Australian Taxation Office.

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.

This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Before making any financial, superannuation or tax decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser or registered tax professional. Superannuation contribution caps, eligibility rules and tax treatment may change over time. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Not all retirement outcomes look the same.The Department of Social Services has noted that newer retirees generally have...
05/06/2026

Not all retirement outcomes look the same.

The Department of Social Services has noted that newer retirees generally have more assets at retirement than previous generations.

But that does not mean every retiree is wealthy. Outcomes can vary significantly depending on home ownership, superannuation, savings, relationship status, health, employment history and access to secure housing.

That is why retirement planning should look at the full picture, not just one statistic.

Source: Department of Social Services Annual Report 2018–19.

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.

This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Before making any financial, retirement, superannuation or Age Pension decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser. Retirement outcomes depend on individual circumstances and may change over time. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Super contribution caps are changing.From 1 July 2026, the ATO says the general concessional contributions cap increases...
31/05/2026

Super contribution caps are changing.

From 1 July 2026, the ATO says the general concessional contributions cap increases from $30,000 to $32,500.

Concessional contributions can include employer Super Guarantee contributions, salary sacrifice contributions, and personal contributions where a tax deduction is claimed.

It is important to remember that the cap applies to total concessional contributions — not just extra voluntary contributions.

Source: Australian Taxation Office.

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.

This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Before making any financial, superannuation or tax decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser or registered tax professional. Superannuation contribution caps, eligibility rules and tax treatment may change over time. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The Department of Social Services reports each year on how it performed against its planned targets.According to the DSS...
29/05/2026

The Department of Social Services reports each year on how it performed against its planned targets.

According to the DSS Annual Report 2024 to 25, the department met 15 out of 24 performance targets, partially met 1, and did not meet 8.

These results provide public context on how DSS reported against its performance measures across the year. The report also notes that factors such as cost of living pressures, labour mobility and natural disasters can affect some performance results.

For Australians approaching or living in retirement, this is a reminder that government support systems are measured, reported and reviewed through public annual reporting. Individual eligibility for payments depends on personal circumstances and current rules.

Source: Department of Social Services, Annual Report 2024 to 25, p. 19.

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL No. 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.
This content provides general information only and is not personal financial advice. It is based on publicly available information from the Department of Social Services Annual Report 2024 to 25 and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. DSS performance results reflect overall program reporting and do not assess individual eligibility, payment outcomes or entitlement decisions. Government payment rules and administrative arrangements can vary between individuals and may change over time. Before making any financial decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Remember when retirement felt like one simple finish line?These days, it can feel more like two different signs on the s...
27/05/2026

Remember when retirement felt like one simple finish line?

These days, it can feel more like two different signs on the same road, one for super, and one for the Age Pension.

Your preservation age is generally the age you must reach before you can access your super, but reaching that age does not automatically mean your super is fully available. You usually also need to meet a condition of release, such as retiring, ceasing an employment arrangement after age 60, or turning 65.

Your Age Pension age is different. Services Australia says Age Pension age is currently 67 years or older, and eligibility also depends on other rules, including residency, income and assets tests.

So the simple takeaway is this:

Super access and Age Pension eligibility are not the same thing.

One is about when you may be able to access your super.
The other is about when you may qualify for government Age Pension support.

Source: ATO and Services Australia.

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.

This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Superannuation access, Age Pension eligibility and tax treatment depend on individual circumstances and may change over time. Before making any financial, retirement, superannuation or Age Pension decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser or contact the ATO or Services Australia. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

26/05/2026

FOLLOW US FOR MORE INSIGHTS.

Many Age Pension recipients receive the full payment rate.

The Australian National Audit Office reported that, as at June 2025, 66.41% of Age Pension recipients received the full Age Pension payment rate.

That matters because Age Pension outcomes depend on personal circumstances, including income, assets, relationship status, home ownership and residency.

Source: Australian National Audit Office. Administration of the Age Pension, 2026.

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.

This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Before making any financial, retirement or Age Pension decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser. Age Pension eligibility, rates and rules depend on individual circumstances and may change over time. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Age Pension age depends on your date of birth.For people born on or after 1 January 1957, Age Pension age is currently 6...
26/05/2026

Age Pension age depends on your date of birth.

For people born on or after 1 January 1957, Age Pension age is currently 67.

However, reaching Age Pension age does not automatically mean someone will receive the Age Pension. Eligibility also depends on other rules, including residency, income and assets tests.

Sources: Services Australia

Symposium Financial Group Pty Ltd ABN 52 672 810 758 ACN 672 810 758 is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Lifespan Financial Planning Pty Ltd AFSL 229892 ABN 23 065 921 735.

This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Age Pension eligibility and payment rates depend on individual circumstances and may change over time. Before making any financial, retirement or Age Pension decision, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial adviser or contact Services Australia. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

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