Asset Re-Allocation Secures $80k a Year
Background: Meet Mark and Susan
Mark and Susan, a couple in their early 50s, have been long-term clients of Yield Financial Planning for nearly a decade. Susan, a senior professional at a U.S.-based company, held substantial stock options, while Mark had additional direct shareholdings. They valued financial security but were open to market exposure when aligned with their goals.
Their advice for retirement planning has been focused on wealth creation strategies, to help put them in a position for a comfortable retirement and over this time they have built a well-diversified portfolio of shares and property. Through our regular reviews, we could see they were at a point they would benefit from a comprehensive review of their position and advice for retirement planning.
Key Results at a Glance
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Retirement:Able to retire 5 years early
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Super Contributions:Enabled an additional $330,000 each in super contributions
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Income:Secured $80K annual income to self-fund their desired retirement
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Tax:Reduced tax payable from sale of Direct shareholdings
Why Did They Seek Advice?
- Retire comfortably and, if possible, earlier than planned.
- Generate sufficient retirement income to support an $80,000 annual lifestyle.
- Optimise investments and minimise tax liabilities.
- Consolidate and simplify their financial portfolio for better manageability.
Strategies Implemented
Our journey with Mark and Susan began with an in-depth review of their financial situation and long-term goals. We conducted detailed financial modeling and scenario planning to assess their readiness for retirement and identify opportunities for improvement.
Through our initial financial analysis, we discovered that Mark and Susan were already well-positioned to self-fund their desired retirement expenditure of $80,000 annually, assuming a net investment return of 5.40% per annum. This key finding provided the confidence to proceed with strategies designed to optimise their investments, reduce tax liabilities, and simplify their financial portfolio.
To further solidify their financial security and maximise their retirement potential, we implemented the following targeted strategies:
Reallocating Investments for Better Diversification:
- Reduced Susan’s company shareholdings from $642,578 to $200,000, reallocating the balance across diversified investments and debt reduction.
- Sold all other direct shareholdings to streamline their portfolio, with tax reduction strategies ensuring Mark paid no tax and Susan incurred minimal Capital Gains Tax.
Superannuation Optimisation:
- Recommended non-concessional contributions of $330,000 each, utilising funds from the share sales.
- Maximised concessional contributions for both Mark and Susan, with catch-up contributions for Mark to reduce tax liabilities.
- Consolidated their super funds to transition into account-based pensions at age 60, targeting risk-appropriate returns for tax-free growth.
Cash Flow Management:
- Structured their financial plan to cover pre-retirement expenses using personal assets until superannuation access at age 60.
- Advised turning their super into account-based pensions at 60 to fund retirement income, with projections showing sufficient funds by 2031 from minimum pension withdrawals.
Outcome and Benefits
- Mark and Susan are now positioned to retire 5 years earlier than anticipated.
- Achieved an additional $330,000 each in super contributions, ensuring tax-free growth and income.
- Significantly reduced tax payable on the sale of shares, thanks to strategic financial modelling.
- Simplified their financial portfolio, increasing manageability and reducing risk exposure.
Key Takeaway
Mark and Susan’s journey shows how smart financial decisions and expert advice can turn long-term retirement goals into reality. With a carefully tailored plan, they are now positioned to retire five years earlier, enjoy a stable $80K annual income, and take advantage of tax-efficient investment strategies that protect and grow their wealth.
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Important Note
Any information provided here is general advice only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. This information should not be taken as comprehensive and does not constitute legal or financial advice. You should seek legal, financial or other professional advice before relying on any content. Yield Financial Planning is not responsible to you or anyone else for any loss suffered in connection with the use of this information. Information is only current at the date initially published.
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