Bridges Services

Superannuation

Superannuation is important because it may be your only means of financial support in retirement.

Wouldn’t you like to enjoy your future without having to worry about money? Unfortunately most people have a huge shortfall in their retirement savings: the average Australian’s superannuation balance is just $63,000*, not much considering a comfortable retirement can cost up to $38,403# pa for a single person and $51,437# pa for a couple.

Your employer’s compulsory 9% Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions are unlikely to give you a comfortable retirement. But if you start contributing to your super now you can make more of your retirement later.

* Australia’s exploding DIY funds, Eureka report, February 2007
# ASFA Retirement Living survey - September Quarter 2009

Bridges can assist you with the following aspect of Superannuation:

• Super tax advantages
• Concessional contributions
• Non-concessional contributions
• Super Co-contribution from the government
• Salary sacrifice
• Accessing super while you’re still a work
• Contributing on behalf of your spouse
• Super choices
• Investing super
• Consolidating super
• Small super funds
• Self-managed super funds (SMSF)
• Small APRA Funds (SAF’s)

Retirement Planning

Retirement is a time of life for you to relax and do the things you have always wanted to do. Therefore, careful planning can help ensure you are financially comfortable.

Prior to retirement, there are some important questions you need to ask yourself, including:

• What do you want to do in retirement?
• How much money will you need to do it?
• Do you need a regular income?
• Where will this income come from?
• When can you retire?
• How and when will you be able to access your super?
• What Government support will you be eligible to receive?
• Planning ahead can assist you in making the most of what you have and help you achieve financial security, reduce uncertainty and enjoy your retirement.

Insurance

Building your wealth is important and so is protecting it.

What would your family do if something happened to you? Illness, injury and death can have a huge impact on your family and your finances. Most of us insure our car and home etc, but what about your most valuable assets: your life and your ability to earn an income. Make sure you look after your loved ones and protect them against these risks.

Salary continuance insurance (income protection)

Covers the loss of income, during an extended absence from work due to illness or injury.

Trauma insurance

Provides a lump sum payment as a result of a specified ‘trauma’, such as a heart attack, stroke etc.

Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD)

Covers the permanent loss of income through illness or injury that prevents your return to work.

Life insurance

Provides financial support for dependants in the event of your death.

Business expense insurance

Covers the costs of running your business in the event of extended illness or injury.

A Bridges financial planner can help you identify:

• areas where you may need protection
• appropriate insurance for your circumstances
• the level of cover required

Share Investing

Investing your money is an effective way to build your wealth. You can choose whether you invest directly, indirectly (through a managed fund) or a combination of both.

Financial advice is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Everyone’s situation is different and it is important to work with a professional to identify which investments may be suitable for you. Bridges is one of the few financial planning groups that offer a full stockbroking service to help you with both direct and indirect investment options.

Redundancy

Redundancy can affect anyone from the chairman to the trainee.  In this situation, there are many things to consider.

It is important to understand how you can manage a redundancy payment so you can make the most of it. Bridges financial planners can help you plan for redundancy to make sure your payout is used wisely.

Tax-effective investing

Some investments are more tax effective than others. Growth investments such as shares and property often receive more favourable tax treatment.

Estate Planning

Who will look after your family when you have gone?  You have worked hard all your life, so don’t let it all be for nothing.

Equally important as creating wealth is planning for the distribution of it to your loved ones after you have gone.  First and foremost, this means having a current and valid Will in place.

Did you know that dying ‘intestate’ (without a Will) means that your assets (known as your ‘estate’) will be distributed according to a statutory formula which, perhaps, may not be in line with your wishes?

A Bridges financial planner can show you how to preserve and manage your assets with an effective estate plan. 

For more information about Bridges vast range of services, visit Bridges. 

Part of Australian Wealth Management
Bridges. ASX participant. AFSL No 240837.