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12 Steps To A Smart Retirement
Step 1 - Money

Preparing for retirement today is complex. That is why we have partnered with retirement psychologists to develop our own 12 Step Program for a Smart Retirement.

Money is the first requirement for a successful retirement. Without a level of financial support, your retirement dreams are unlikely to be achievable.

Our evidence-based philosophy for your retirement savings, guides the way with decades of experience and academic research. We aim to prepare you financially for virtually anything that may happen.

Our experience has also led to understanding that an enjoyable retirement relies upon more than just a financial calculator.

This is why want to know more about you than just your bank balance.

Today’s retiree is seeking a meaningful retirement.

We aim to understand what that lifestyle is, so that it creates context to your money, and what it can do for you.

Our success is measured upon you achieving a better retirement having met us.

Step 2 - Career and Work

You have Six Life Arenas in retirement (Dr.Richard Johnson, Ph.D. 2006).

We have touched upon the first arena, which is managing money.  We will explain more how this can be expertly managed in retirement in our Evidence Based Advice page.

Your retirement lifestyle aspirations relates to the next 5 steps.  We need you to explain to us what that lifestyle looks like. As part of our advice process, we have retirement tools to assist you in building this vision. This allows us to truly align your money, with your aspirations.

Step 2 – The second life arena is career and work.

We all have different views in regards to work. Some people thrive upon going to work each day, while others can’t wait to relax and play.

Many of today’s retirees are seeing their transition into retirement as a time to start an encore career. This may include volunteer work, consulting, an entire change of career choice as they may have relieved themselves of their money pressures and can start a career afresh.

A study by the Kauffman Institute found that since 1996, people from the ages of 55 to 64 have a higher level of entrepreneurial activity than those aged 20 to 34.

Many modern day retirees are using their experience and knowledge over a lifetime to stay engaged and re-invest in themselves with freedom to do what they want at the time of their own choosing.

As your retirement advisers, this is important for us to understand what your intentions are and how it fits into your retirement income plans.

"Envision a retirement lifestyle that is fulfilling... not time filling." - Barry La Valley & David Reed (So You Think You Are Ready To Retire - 2013)
Step 3 - Health & Wellness

10 years from now, what does your future lifestyle look like?

Describe the picture in your mind, what are you doing? Who are you doing it with?

What level of health is required for you to meet those aspirations?

Health and Wellbeing are crucially important, particularly as we age and the increase in longevity that today’s retirees are likely to enjoy.

As you enter or transition towards retirement, it’s a great time to start considering what you need to do every day to achieve or maintain good health. This not only includes your physical wellbeing but also your mental wellness and personal vitality.

How you intend to manage your wellbeing every day may require an additional expense such as joining a gym, hiring a personal trainer or attending yoga classes.

Step 4 - Family and Relationships

The dictionary definition for retirement is to “disappear, withdraw, to go away”. The image of retirement generations ago was probably in alignment with this. Sitting on the porch, filling in time, watching television and perhaps not too much else.

Today’s retiree has a new vision of retirement.

They see it as a time to rekindle relationships.

Less value is placed upon ‘things’.

More value is placed upon time spent with family, time with friends and enjoyable social experiences.

Building memories is the key.

What are those experiences going to be for you?

"We spend our health in search of wealth. Then retire and spend our wealth in sorting out our health."
 - Mr Ralph Norris (ex-CEO of CBA) (2014)
Step 5 - Leisure

As we progress towards the end of our working career, many people aspire to the life of leisure 7 days a week.

They enjoy a hobby on weekends while they are working, and really look forward to the next 30 years of that same activity.

This is what is referred to as the paradox of leisure. We use leisure as a break from work.

But if you have leisure 7 days a week, where is your break?

A smart, successful retirement is about balance.

Being prepared for retirement involves understanding what you will do with your time. Different types of leisure may include physical activity, social interaction, spectator appreciation, creativity, solitary relaxation or intellectual stimulation.

Leisure is an important need. Too much or too little can impact upon the enjoyment of your retirement.

Step 6 - Personal Development

If time was turned back and you were able to start adulthood again…

What would you learn?

What courses or lessons would you take?

Perhaps you never had time for a particular hobby or activity while you were working. Retirement gives you this time.

When understanding how you wish to manage your time, we can assist you in managing your money to make your retirement lifestyle fulfilling.

For your modern retirement income plan, move on to Steps 7 – 12 over page.

I Am Ready To Build My Ideal Retirement

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