Australian Retirement Podcast

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 practical conversation on how retirees can use AI in everyday life — from planning trips and social activities to making day-to-day admin easier.

If you’re weighing up mortgage versus super, thinking about pension timing, or just want to retire with more clarity, this is a sharp and practical listen.

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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
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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 couples, or are most people simply not up to full control? Drew doesn't hold back.

If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Topics covered today:

Super rollover waiting period - the double hit for fund switchers

Why outgoing funds can't pay for switching advice (and what that means)

$250M AustralianSuper exodus - members switching blind

Property values reality check - Cotality April 2026 report deep dive

Are SMSFs good for retiree couples? Most aren't up to it

Resources for this episode

Cotality Housing Chart Pack April 2026

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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
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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 forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Topics covered today

The headline changes from Chalmers' Budget

Negative gearing - what's been axed, what survives, and the new-build carve-out

The death of the 50% CGT discount and the move to inflation indexation

The new 30% minimum CGT rate - and why retirees are the real target

The 30% minimum tax on family trust distributions

Pre-1985 assets brought into the tax net for the first time

What's grandfathered and what to do before 1 July 2027

Episode resources

Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast)

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Visit TermPlus to learn more

Have the chance to win a 5k travel voucher. Take the TermPlus survey here (last entry 31st of May)

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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
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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 recession with higher inflation where costs are increasing, returns may fall, and you have a finite pool of capital? Australia is in one of the worst positions as a net importer.

If you're retiring today, should you be worried? Drew and James explain recession vs. crisis, why you can't "wait until everything settles down," and how markets rebound on outlook.

Plus TermPlus questions: "If you could implant one belief into every retiree's brain on day one, what would it be?" and "If every Australian family had one conversation before someone turns 70, what's the topic?"

If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, 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)

Show partner resources

Visit TermPlus to learn more

Have the chance to win a 5k travel voucher. Take the TermPlus survey here (last entry 31st of May)

Rask Resources

All services

Financial Planning

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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
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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 lower-income workers, and contractors - are less likely to check super or report underpayment. Late payments attract super guarantee charges (interest and admin fees) with no tax deductibility, so employers caught with arrears may be better off resolving this in FY26.

Drew and James answer questions from HardlyBroke about TermPlus capital protection and time-is-ticking on accessing super over 60 when self-employed with an ABN - can you return to work invoicing the same clients?

If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Topics covered today:

- Worst retirement advice ever - 100% crypto, income stocks only, super is a scam

- Division 296 and CGT reset explained

- 1 July 2026 super payment changes - $5B unpaid super scandal

- TermPlus capital protection - is your capital really safe?

- Accessing super over 60 when self-employed - ABN and same client rules

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 (last entry 31st of May)

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