When Helen and Mark first came to us, life was full - two young kids, demanding careers, and a growing list of financial ambitions. At 39, both accountants earning well above average, they had the income and the drive. What they needed was a plan.
Where They Started
Helen and Mark were in a strong position by most measures. Their only insurance coverage was an income protection policy for Helen, paid by her employer. Mark had no personal cover whatsoever. There was no coordinated strategy, and no clear roadmap to the future they envisioned. They also had in mind doing major renovations at home, but were unsure if these were affordable.
$1.2MHome value
$6,000Monthly savings
$400KCombined super
$125KCompany shares
What They Wanted
- Buy a new car and spend up to $500,000 renovating their home
- Acquire more shares in Helen's accounting firm
- Build enough wealth to fully stop working at age 55
- Real options - not just comfort
Protecting What They'd Built
Before focusing on wealth creation, we made sure the foundation was solid. With two young children and two high incomes driving every part of their financial plan, the risk of either of them being unable to work - or worse - needed to be addressed first.
| Life & TPD | Trauma | Income Protection |
|---|
| Helen | $1,250,000 | - | Existing policy retained |
| Mark | $1,250,000 | $250,000 | ✓ |
Mark: $862/year from super + $2,200 personally · Helen: $853/year from super + $1,202 personally - a combined household premium of under $5,200 per year, with tax deductions reducing the real out-of-pocket cost further.
Our Wealth Strategy
With protection in place, we designed a wealth plan built around tax efficiency, debt recycling, and long-term accumulation. This included an initial investment of $20,000 into a tax-effective structure, followed by $4,000 per month in ongoing contributions. We also implemented a debt recycling strategy - converting non-deductible home loan debt into tax-deductible investment debt - to fund the acquisition of further shares in Helen's firm. In years where no major expenses were planned, additional tax-deductible super contributions were made to accelerate their retirement savings.
Every element of the strategy was designed to flex around their life - accommodating big-ticket expenses without derailing long-term goals.
The Outcome at Age 55
$1.9 million
Combined superannuation
$2.4 million
Investable assets outside super
$487,000
Remaining liabilities ($120k home loan / $367k investment loan)
The Takeaway
"Helen and Mark's story isn't about luck or sacrifice - it's about having a strategy that works as hard as they do. With the right plan in place, early retirement isn't a fantasy. It's a number."
They also felt incredibly comfortable, knowing that once kids leave home, they'll have the option to downsize their home to release further capital.
When John and Lorraine came to us, they were standing at one of life's biggest transitions. John, 64, was ready to retire by the end of the year. Lorraine, at 50, was still working but thinking ahead. Together, they wanted one thing above all else: the confidence that retirement would be everything they'd worked for - comfortable, secure, and without financial stress.
Where They Started
John and Lorraine were in a genuinely strong position. Their lifestyle was well-defined: $97,000 per year covering everyday living, holidays, and entertainment. What they didn't have was a plan to make it all last.
$1.3MHome (paid off)
$850KJohn's super
$603KLorraine's super
$97KAnnual lifestyle spend
What They Wanted
- Maintain their current lifestyle - $97,000/year - without compromise
- Ensure their money would last for the rest of their lives
- Leave something meaningful behind for their children
- Simply enjoy retirement with peace of mind
Our Strategy
We started by helping John and Lorraine clearly define their goals and map out exactly what their ideal retirement looked like in practice. From there, we built a strategy around their superannuation, pension structures, and entitlements - designed to deliver income certainty, tax efficiency, and long-term flexibility.
A key part of the strategy involved restructuring both of their superannuation balances to eliminate the taxable components. This is often overlooked but critically important - without this step, their children could face a significant tax bill upon inheriting their super. By addressing this proactively, we ensured their estate would pass on as intended, without unnecessary tax consequences.
The Outcome
$97,000/yr
Indexed to inflation, fully funded to life expectancy
~$760,000
Remaining pension assets at life expectancy, plus the family home
$220,000
Additional Age Pension payments unlocked
Tax-free
Inheritance - taxable components of both super balances fully cleared
The Takeaway
"John and Lorraine didn't need to take big risks or make dramatic changes. They needed clarity, structure, and a strategy that accounted for every stage of the road ahead - including the parts most people don't like to think about."
Retirement isn't just about having enough. It's about knowing it will last.
