19h ago

Is your balanced super fund taking more risk than you think?

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, Drew Meredith and James O’Reilly unpack four retirement issues that could affect how Australians access the Age Pension, choose a super fund and manage investment risk. First, they examine a proposal for better data sharing between Centrelink and super funds. Easier, pre-filled Age Pension applications could help eligible retirees claim sooner, but giving funds a broader picture of your finances also raises questions about privacy, product sales and who benefits from the data. They also discuss whether people in physically demanding careers—such as nurses, tradies and other manual workers—should qualify for the Age Pension before age 67. The idea may sound fair, but the hosts explore the cost, complexity and unintended incentives that could follow. Next, Drew and James look at renewed scrutiny of self-managed super funds. SMSFs can offer control and flexibility, yet lower balances, aggressive sales tactics and unsuitable investments can leave members carrying more cost and responsibility than they expected. Finally, a listener asks why a “balanced” super option can still hold 81% in growth assets. The hosts explain how labels differ between funds, what growth and defensive assets actually mean, and the long-term return ranges investors might expect as risk rises. It is a practical reminder that a fund’s name matters far less than what is inside it. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 3

DBFO explained: what the new advice rules mean for retirees

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly unpack the latest Delivering Better Financial Outcomes, or DBFO, changes and why retirees should care. This episode looks past the political acronym to the real decisions facing Australians who want affordable advice, better super prompts and fewer traps as they move into retirement. Drew and James explain how the reforms could reshape the way advisers charge fees, renew ongoing service agreements and communicate with clients. They also trace how the reforms have evolved since the Hayne Royal Commission and why progress has felt painfully slow. The conversation then turns to why nudges from super funds and providers matter more than most people think, especially for people who may be eligible for the Age Pension or who have not yet switched super into pension phase when it would make sense to investigate it. They also tackle the darker side of the system: cold-calling lead generation, poor incentives and the practical risks around self-managed super funds. To finish, they answer a listener question on whether paying for a platform inside an SMSF is worth it, or whether staying DIY can still be the better move. If you want a calm, practical read on the latest advice reforms, this episode is a smart place to start. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources – Visit TermPlus to learn more – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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

Aug 27

Retirement confidence is falling. What now for property, CGT and inheritance?

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly begin with a stat that cuts through the noise: retirement confidence has fallen sharply, even after a strong year for investment markets. They unpack why rising living costs still dominate how pre-retirees feel, why good returns do not always create peace of mind, and why confidence is as much an emotional question as a financial one. They also discuss the surprising gap between seeing an adviser and actually feeling ready for retirement. From there, the conversation turns to property. Drew and James explore whether the old playbook of leveraging into investment properties still holds up for people approaching retirement, especially as negative gearing, capital gains tax settings and holding costs come under more pressure. Rather than making a dramatic crash call, they focus on the practical trade-offs between income, flexibility, debt, and the opportunity cost of keeping too much wealth tied to one asset class when other income options are improving. The episode finishes with a practical listener question on inherited shares, cost bases and how age pension status can change the tax outcome. If you are weighing up retirement timing, asset sales, or how policy shifts could affect your long-term plan, this episode offers a grounded framework for the questions worth asking next. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources – Visit TermPlus to learn more – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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

Aug 20

Could a deposit bond help downsizers buy before they sell?

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Ryan Dinsdale from Deposit Power to unpack a part of the property journey that can quietly shape retirement decisions: how downsizers bridge the gap between selling one home and buying the next. Ryan explains why the real challenge is rarely just finding the right property. It is timing the two transactions, freeing up enough equity, and avoiding a rushed decision that leaves cash sitting idle or forces a more expensive financing option. The conversation compares the usual paths people think about, including selling first, buying first and using a bridging loan, before breaking down how a deposit bond works as an alternative. They also explore when a deposit bond may suit retirees and pre-retirees buying off the plan, bidding at auction or trying to keep money in an offset, investments or super for longer. Just as importantly, Ryan walks through the trade-offs, the application process, the fee structure and the safeguards that help buyers understand what they are actually signing up for. If you are thinking about downsizing, helping family move, or simply want a clearer way to think about deposits, liquidity and flexibility, this episode will give you a practical framework to start with. This episode was proudly sponsored by Deposit Power. Episode resources – ⁠Deposit Power website⁠ – ⁠Deposit Power fee calculator⁠ – Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources – Visit TermPlus to learn more – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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

Aug 13

Retirement expenses, ETF overload and super contribution traps

In this Australian Retirement Podcast episode, James O'Reilly and Drew Meredith unpack one of the biggest retirement planning mistakes: assuming your spending stays flat for decades. They explain why retirement expenses are rarely linear, why some costs fall away while others creep higher, and how that can change the timing of when you can comfortably stop working. The episode opens with the latest super fund return numbers and a reminder not to confuse one strong year with a long-term plan. From there, James and Drew tackle the explosion in ETF choices on the ASX. They explain why lower fees and easier access have improved investing, but also why too much choice can create new risks for retirees and near-retirees, especially when thematic products make it easy to chase stories instead of strategy. The episode also gets practical about spending. Housing, travel, health costs and helping adult children can all shape retirement in ways spreadsheets often miss. They share a useful framework for separating essential spending from discretionary spending so you can see what is fixed, what can move, and what trade-offs are actually available. They finish with a listener question on excess super contributions, explaining what happens if you breach the cap, how the ATO process works today, and why the right response is usually to stay calm and deal with it methodically. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources – Visit TermPlus to learn more – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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

Aug 6

ASIC’s adviser-fee crackdown: what retirees should ask before paying for advice

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Drew Meredith and James O'Reilly unpack ASIC’s latest report into adviser fees and the growing pressure on super platforms to prove clients are getting fair value. It’s a timely conversation for retirees, pre-retirees and business owners who are wondering what financial advice should cost, what good oversight looks like, and how to ask sharper questions before signing on. Drew and James explore why platform-based fee deductions have become such a focus, what ASIC appears to be targeting, and how poor-value advice can still slip through even in a heavily regulated system. They also break down the tension between cost and value: why the cheapest adviser is not always the best fit, why specialised advice often costs more, and what investors should expect to receive in return. The episode finishes with a practical listener question from a couple comparing two very different advice proposals. If you’ve ever wondered whether an upfront fee is too high, how ongoing fees should be judged, or what outcomes an adviser should be able to show in year one, this conversation will help you think more clearly before making a decision. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources – Visit TermPlus to learn more – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026 – 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers 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

Jul 30

Cash ETFs, term deposits & retirement income with Kanish Chugh from PIMCO

In this episode of Australian Retirement Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Kanish Chugh, Head of ETF Sales at PIMCO Australia, to unpack why higher interest rates are changing the case for defensive assets. They explore why bonds are no longer the 'boring' part of a portfolio, what today's yield environment means for retirees and income-focused investors, and why the starting yield on fixed income matters more than many people realise. Owen and Kanish break down the trade-offs between savings accounts, term deposits and cash ETFs, including why liquidity, monthly distributions and portfolio role matter just as much as headline yield. They also explain how short-duration strategies differ from longer-duration bond exposures, why retirees often need a clearer cash plan than accumulators, and how fixed income can reduce the need to sell growth assets in weak markets. If you're building a retirement income plan, managing a cash bucket or simply trying to understand where fixed income fits in 2026, this conversation offers a practical framework for researching your next move. Kanish also shares the PIMCO products and fixed income ideas investors can add to a watchlist and explains why now may be one of the most compelling periods in years to revisit bonds, cash-plus strategies and diversified defensive exposure. Episode resources – PIMCO - EARN – PIMCO - PGBF – PIMCO - PDFI – PIMCO - PAUS – PIMCO - PCRD – Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026 – 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers 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: The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 23

3 doomsday scenarios every retiree should understand

Australian Retirement Podcast hosts James O'Reilly and Drew Meredith step away from base-case planning and ask a harder question: what could genuinely go wrong for retirees if markets stop behaving? They unpack three plausible stress scenarios investors should understand: sticky inflation that keeps bond yields high and squeezes equity valuations, private-market pressure that exposes illiquidity and stretched assumptions, and a geopolitical shock from oil to Taiwan that hits supply chains, sentiment and portfolio returns all at once. The point is not to predict disaster, but to understand the chain reaction before fear takes over. Then they bring it back to real life with two thoughtful listener questions. First, what should a 60-year-old do after inheriting $500,000 when the pull between enjoying life, helping the kids and protecting retirement feels impossible to balance? Second, if retirement is only two years away, is it smarter to pay down the mortgage aggressively or lean harder into super when both peace of mind and tax efficiency matter? If you want a practical framework for thinking about downside risk, optionality and the decisions that matter most in the final stretch before retirement, this episode is a smart place to start. It is a grounded conversation about staying flexible without becoming paralysed by every scary headline. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast) Show partner resources – Visit TermPlus to learn more – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026 – 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers 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

Australian Retirement Podcast

Is your balanced super fund taking more risk than you think?

DBFO explained: what the new advice rules mean for retirees

Retirement confidence is falling. What now for property, CGT and inheritance?

Could a deposit bond help downsizers buy before they sell?

Retirement expenses, ETF overload and super contribution traps

ASIC’s adviser-fee crackdown: what retirees should ask before paying for advice

Cash ETFs, term deposits & retirement income with Kanish Chugh from PIMCO

3 doomsday scenarios every retiree should understand

Hosts & Guests

Drew Meredith

James O'Reilly

About

Information

More From Rask

Australian Retirement Podcast

Episodes

Is your balanced super fund taking more risk than you think?

DBFO explained: what the new advice rules mean for retirees

Retirement confidence is falling. What now for property, CGT and inheritance?

Could a deposit bond help downsizers buy before they sell?

Retirement expenses, ETF overload and super contribution traps

ASIC’s adviser-fee crackdown: what retirees should ask before paying for advice

Cash ETFs, term deposits & retirement income with Kanish Chugh from PIMCO

3 doomsday scenarios every retiree should understand

Hosts & Guests

About

Information

More From Rask