Wealth creation
Wealth creation is about building financial security now so you can focus on enjoying your lifestyle in the future. Choosing where and how to invest your money is a difficult decision and will depend on many factors including your overall investment objectives, approach to investment risk and the amount of time you have to invest.
We can help define your personal situation and recommend financial solutions and strategies to help you reach your financial goals.
Whether you are investing to finance your business, lifestyle, private education or provide for your retirement, it's never too late to take control.
Retirement planning
Planning for retirement is one of life's most important financial considerations. The actions you take today will determine your lifestyle in the future.
Superannuation is one of the most tax-effective long-term retirement savings vehicles, however it can be difficult to keep up with changing rules and regulations. We can explain the rules and provide you with strategies to help you maximise your retirement savings.
Risk insurance
Risk insurance forms a critical part of the financial planning process. It provides you with protection against the financial implications of an event such as death, disablement, serious illness or injury.
There are a range of insurance options available that we can tailor to suit your needs and personal situation. The most common types of risk insurance include:
Income protection
In the event that you suffer an illness or injury and are unable to work, income protection provides you with a monthly benefit of up to 75 per cent of your salary.
Life Insurance
Life insurance helps alleviate the financial burden your family may be left with after your death. This is paid as a lump sum to your nominated beneficiaries to assist with medical costs, funeral expenses and help maintain your family’s lifestyle.
Total and permanent disability (TPD)
This provides a lump sum in the event of a total and permanent disability that prevents you from ever returning to work.
Trauma
Trauma insurance is paid as a lump sum upon diagnosis of an eligible condition (eg cancer, heart disease).
Investment advice
Choosing where to invest your money is a difficult decision and will depend on many factors, including your overall investment objectives, risk profile and the amount of time you have to invest. It's therefore best to seek the advice of a qualified financial adviser who can help define your personal situation and identify the appropriate asset allocation.
What is asset allocation?
Asset allocation is the mix of investment types that make up your investment portfolio. Investment types are generally divided into four different asset classes, which include:
- Cash
- Australian or international fixed interest
- Property
- Australian or international shares
Asset classes are often split into two categories: growth assets and defensive assets.
Defensive assets provide long-term stable returns with lower volatility. Examples of defensive assets are fixed interest investment options such as debentures, bonds and bank bills and cash investment options which include bank bills and bank deposits.
Growth assets are investments that offer higher returns over the long-term but at the expense of less stable returns. Examples of growth assets include property and shares.
Why is asset allocation important?
Most investment specialists believe that asset allocation is vital in generating returns. Although there are many investment products in the market, it is the asset allocation rather than the actual investment products which differentiates high returns from low returns and will enable you to reduce the risks involved with investing.
Different asset classes mean different returns
Generally speaking, your asset classes will not all react in the same way. It's likely that some asset classes will have above average returns in a particular year, while other asset classes may have below average returns for that same year.
How do you manage investment risk?
- Diversification means spreading your investments across a variety of asset classes. In doing so, the positive returns you receive from one investment can generally offset any negative returns you may receive from other investments.
- Your investment time frame also has a significant impact on your investment decisions and, therefore, the amount of risk you take. Usually, your age and relative proximity to retirement will determine whether you're investing for the short, medium or long term.
- Review your plan regularly - once developed, your investment strategy should consider all aspects of your personal situation. If your circumstances change, therefore, it's important that your plan is updated accordingly.
Self-managed super funds
Self-managed super funds (SMSF) can give you some control of how your superannuation benefits are invested, operated and managed. SMSFs allow you to invest in a range of assets such as shares, managed funds, term deposits, property, art and collectables. You also have the option to borrow to purchase property and shares.
While SMSFs may be a compelling structure for those who want full decision making capabilities, having your own fund can generate a mountain of paperwork, such as looking after the establishment, asset administration, super administration, investment strategy and end of year financials.
As well as assist you with the establishment of an SMSF, we provide you with ongoing strategy, investment, insurance and estate planning advice for your SMSF and can provide assistance to other superannuation professionals in relation to asset administration, super administration and end of year financials.