Australian Retirement Podcast

Rask

The Australian Retirement Podcast by Rask is your field guide to retirement, hosted by financial advisers Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly. If you're 45 and up, planning for retirement, transitioning now, or already there, we cover all of the topics you want and need to know: Super, tax, investments, legacy, work, behavioural psychology and maybe even a few travel tips.  Get retirement advice: https://bit.ly/R-plan  Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast): https://bit.ly/3QtiY00 In every episode of the podcast, in the description provided, you will find our key resources, including:  A link to work with us and our expert teams A link to the free Rask community - join the conversation, it's free.  A link to ask us questions for the podcast - it's a free service we offer to educate thousands of Australians, and Extra resources for each episode Don't forget, this Rask podcast contains general financial information only, issued by The Rask Group Pty Ltd. The information does not take into account your financial needs, goals or objectives, so be sure to speak to a licensed and trusted financial planner before acting on the information. You can find more information about Rask podcasts and services provided at www.rask.com.au/FSG

  1. Recession with higher inflation - should retirees panic? Plus the key to retirement

    3 DAYS AGO

    Recession with higher inflation - should retirees panic? Plus the key to retirement

    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 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

    34 min
  2. Div 296 changes, July super payments & worst retirement advice ever heard

    30 APR

    Div 296 changes, July super payments & worst retirement advice ever heard

    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

    44 min
  3. Are industry super funds safe? Plus your retirement questions!

    23 APR

    Are industry super funds safe? Plus your retirement questions!

    Industry super funds have been hit by hacking attempts and outages. Should you be worried? Drew Meredith and James O’Reilly break down what’s happening — plus answer your top retirement questions on super access, non-concessional contributions, downsizer rules, and early retirement strategies. If you enjoyed this Australian Retirement Podcast episode on protecting your super and retirement planning, subscribe for weekly episodes on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Topics covered today: - Industry super fund hacks and downtime — why it’s worrying - Can you re-contribute super after drawing a pension? - Preservation rules for superannuation: 60, 65, and retirement triggers - How to add a spouse to a property title affordably - Superannuation strategies for couples with large age gaps 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

    40 min
  4. Private credit dangers every retiree needs to know + $1M super red flags

    16 APR

    Private credit dangers every retiree needs to know + $1M super red flags

    In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with school holiday money-saving tips, then dive into the private credit boom sweeping retirement portfolios. Not all private credit funds are equal. Drew and James break down what retirees need to know: illiquidity premiums, fund manager transparency, borrower quality, concentration risk, and whether evergreen funds are worth the hype. What should you actually look for before jumping into private credit? Then the big question from "Panicking Parents": "My parents have $1M combined super and plan to withdraw ALL of it to move to an individual financial adviser, just like their friends did. What research should we do? How do I convince them to leave it in super?" Drew and James expose the massive red flags, tax implications, and conflicts of interest that families need to understand before making this move. 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: 1. Private credit risks - illiquidity premium, fund manager evaluation, borrower quality 2. Evergreen funds - benefits and costs reviewed 3. Concentration risk - how many underlying loans in your fund? 4. $1M super withdrawal red flags - tax implications and conflicts of interest 5. One piece of retirement advice - Drew and James' best wisdom Resources for this episode Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset” Speak with the Rask Advice team Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) Show partner resources Visit TermPlus to learn more 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

    34 min
  5. Trump geopolitics: Missing 10 best days cuts returns in HALF

    9 APR

    Trump geopolitics: Missing 10 best days cuts returns in HALF

    In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, we take a close look at the US-Iran war volatility: Should you sell or hold? Did you know, missing the 10 best market days cuts returns in HALF. Plus your week-by-week GFC crash playbook for year 1 retirees. In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth tackle the question terrifying every retiree: with markets down 10%, Iran war escalating, and oil prices spiking - should you SELL or HOLD? The data is brutal. Research shows missing just the 10 best market days over 30 years cuts your returns in HALF. Miss 30 days? Returns drop 84%. The kicker: 76% of the best days happen during bear markets or in the first two months of a bull market. JP Morgan found that seven of the 10 highest-returning days happened within two weeks of the market's largest declines. Drew and James debate both sides - the case for staying invested versus the "this time is different" argument - then answer a listener's question: "How safe is my super during global conflicts? Can I park it somewhere safer?" Finally, the big one: if you got a GFC-style crash in year one of retirement, what does the playbook actually look like week by week? 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: - Trump war geopolitics - sell or hold your portfolio? - Missing 10 best days = 50% returns loss (Hartford Funds 30-year study) - Why 76% of best days happen in bear markets - Can you park super somewhere safer during volatility? - GFC crash in year 1 retirement - your week-by-week playbook Resources for this episode Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset” Ask a question (select the Finance podcast) Show partner resources Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith View Betashares range of funds 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

    31 min
  6. Planning for aged care explosion, balanced fund myth & skipping generations in wills

    2 APR

    Planning for aged care explosion, balanced fund myth & skipping generations in wills

    In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth expose the "balanced" fund myth. Remember "Compare the Pair"? Two funds both labeled "balanced" can hold 40% vs 80% growth assets. Despite influencing millions of retirement outcomes, "balanced" has NO legal, regulatory, or industry-standard definition. It's marketing, not investment strategy. James delivers shocking health news: Add 9 years to your life with just 7-8 hours sleep, 40 minutes moderate exercise daily, and a healthy diet. Even baby steps work - UK study of 59,078 participants found adding just 5 minutes sleep, 2 minutes exercise, and half a vegetable serving per day adds ONE EXTRA YEAR of life expectancy. The Boomer Briefing tackles three critical questions: "Where There's a Will, Is There a Way?" - With life expectancies increasing, when does it make sense to skip your retiree children and leave inheritances directly to adult grandchildren? Can you reassign your share of your parents' estate to your kids? Legal and tax implications explained, plus testamentary trust strategies. "Wood Miner" asks: How do I protect my investments from litigation and being sued? Is super in accumulation phase better protected than pension phase? Today's big question: "If aged care costs doubled in the next decade - which they might - should retirees be earmarking super specifically for that, or is that just planning for fear?" Topics covered today: - "Balanced" fund myth exposed - No legal definition, 40% vs 80% growth assets both called "balanced" - Live 9 years longer - 7-8 hours sleep, 40 min exercise, healthy diet - Baby steps add 1 year - Just 5 min more sleep + 2 min exercise + half serving vegetables - Skip generations in wills - Leaving inheritance to grandchildren instead of retiree children - Reassigning estate shares - Can you redirect your parents' inheritance to your kids? Tax implications Resources for this episode Five minutes exercise life span study Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Visit TermPlus to learn more 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

    37 min
  7. Div 296 passed, CGT discount cut & why Australia's pension system is falling

    26 MAR

    Div 296 passed, CGT discount cut & why Australia's pension system is falling

    In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with breaking news: The Greens have rubber-stamped Div 296 - and they're demanding MORE tax reform. James breaks down what just passed, while Drew exposes the terrifying CGT and trust changes on the horizon. Major tax changes being floated: - New $135K income threshold with stacking provisions - Cap gains tax capped at 30% maximum - CGT discount slashed from 50% to 33% The Boomer Briefing tackles why Australia's pension system ranking has fallen again in the global Mercer CFA Index. We're still top 10, but Netherlands, Denmark, and Iceland are crushing us. Why? The Mercer Index scores three dimensions: Adequacy (benefits/replacement rates), Sustainability (long-term funding), and Integrity (governance/regulation). Australia excels at capital accumulation with our $3.5 trillion super pool and APRA/ASIC regulation - but we're getting destroyed on retirement income design. The brutal truth: Australia built a world-class savings system. Northern Europe built world-class retirement income systems. The Mercer Index rewards the latter. Plus, we say goodbye to Monique Pizzica, producer of The Australian Retirement Podcast. Topics covered today: - Greens rubber-stamp Div 296 - It's official, plus they want MORE tax reform - CGT discount slashed to 33% - Down from 50%, massive tax impact - New $135K income threshold - Stacking provisions and 30% cap gains cap - Trust changes coming - What Drew's worried about - Australia's pension ranking falls - Why Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland beat us Resources for this episode Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2025 Australia slips in global pension ranking Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Visit TermPlus to learn more 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

    34 min

  8. 19 MAR

    Age Pension vs super tax breaks debate & can ETFs deliver 6% without capital loss?

    In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, your hosts Drew Meredith from Wattle Partners and James O'Reilly from Northeast Wealth open with provocative questions: If they had to retire TODAY on only the Age Pension, what's the first lifestyle change? And if a client wanted to blow $200K in year one on a round-the-world trip - backing them or talking them down? The Boomer Briefing tackles explosive commentary from The Australia Institute, Guardian Australia, and Grattan Institute: Should we scrap super tax concessions entirely and double the Age Pension instead? The math: Super tax concessions cost ~$55-60bn/year ($31bn contributions + $24bn earnings). Age Pension costs ~$62bn/year. The argument: abolish super breaks, double the pension. Would Australians be better off? Drew and James expose why this sounds good but creates long-term disaster: Super concessions reduce future pension costs. Kill the incentive, more people need full pensions, government pays billions more later. Plus high earners shift to trusts and negative gearing - you never recover 100% revenue. What's actually happening: Division 293/296 tax, transfer balance caps, contribution cap tightening. Today's question from "Charli": "Which ETFs can generate at least 6% per annum WITHOUT losing capital invested?" Drew and James tackle capital preservation reality, inflation erosion, and whether ANY investment delivers 6% returns with zero capital risk. If you like this Australian Retirement Podcast episode on the super vs Age Pension debate and safe returns, you'll love the series. 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) Visit TermPlus to learn more 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

    33 min
See All (103)

Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
128 Ratings

About

The Australian Retirement Podcast by Rask is your field guide to retirement, hosted by financial advisers Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly. If you're 45 and up, planning for retirement, transitioning now, or already there, we cover all of the topics you want and need to know: Super, tax, investments, legacy, work, behavioural psychology and maybe even a few travel tips.  Get retirement advice: https://bit.ly/R-plan  Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast): https://bit.ly/3QtiY00 In every episode of the podcast, in the description provided, you will find our key resources, including:  A link to work with us and our expert teams A link to the free Rask community - join the conversation, it's free.  A link to ask us questions for the podcast - it's a free service we offer to educate thousands of Australians, and Extra resources for each episode Don't forget, this Rask podcast contains general financial information only, issued by The Rask Group Pty Ltd. The information does not take into account your financial needs, goals or objectives, so be sure to speak to a licensed and trusted financial planner before acting on the information. You can find more information about Rask podcasts and services provided at www.rask.com.au/FSG

Information

More From Rask

You Might Also Like