Will You Have Enough to Retire Comfortably? Let’s Plan for It – Together

Have you ever wondered what life will look like when you stop working at 60,65 or 67?

Will you have enough?

Will you have the freedom to travel, enjoy hobbies, or simply relax—without worrying about money?

Why is Retirement Planning so important?

Retirement planning important to make sure your money will last as long as you do. It’s about:

• Protecting your financial future
• Creating peace of mind
• Your independence which will give you choices in life after work

When is the best time to start planning for the retirement?

The best time to start retirement planning was yesterday.

The second-best time is now.

Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s — planning today gives you more control tomorrow. And if you’re in or near retirement, it may not be too late to improve your situation.

Retirement planning isn’t just about numbers, it’s about choices. It’s about the freedom to live life on your terms, without financial stress. The sooner you start the easier it gets to achieve your dream retirement.

What are the common questions and concerns people have for retirement planning?

• Will I have enough money to fund my lifestyle in retirement?
• How long will my superannuation balance last?
• Will I be eligible for Centrelink age pension?
• Will I be able to travel more?
• Will I be able to support kids while enjoying my retirement?
• More importantly, will I be able to live my life with financial dignity and peace of mind?

What is retirement planning?

Simple meaning of Retirement Planning is to understand “after the day you retire where will you get income from to maintain your standard of living”, travel, go on a road trip you always wanted to go, spend quality time with your loved ones, etc. and does not feel concern about money.

Retirement planning is the process of setting financial goals and making strategic decisions today so you can enjoy financial security when you retire.

It includes calculating how much you’ll need, building superannuation, investing wisely, and understanding when and how to access your funds.

What happens if you plan your retirement?

The benefits of planning your retirement are:

• You will feel fully prepared for retirement
• You will have enough money (savings and income) in retirement
• You will have peace of mind
• You will be excited for your retirement instead of fearing it
• You will be able to live the life you’ve imagined: travel, volunteer, spend time with loved ones, or simply relax

What happens if you don’t plan your retirement?

As they say, “planning to fail is failing to plan”.

You may get shocked when you reach retirement age for not having enough funds to maintain your standard of living.

We don’t say this to scare you but empower you to take action today to start planning so you don’t have to face any other below:

• You may run out of money while you’re still alive and may force you to rely on government support. Nothing wrong with living with government support but will it be sufficient? What if the government changes the rules and reduces the support? How will you manage then?
• Instead of feeling happy about retirement you may feel stress or anxiety for not having enough
• You may need to reduce a quality of your life
• You may feel a loss of financial independence

How much income do I need in retirement?

For the starting point, you can look at your current expenses and think about how much would you need to live on modestly or comfortably, if your house is paid off, children are grown up, no other debt?

What sort of lifestyle you would like to live in retirement?

Modest or Comfortable. As per the ASFA retirement standards, how much amount you will require per annum depends on whether you are single or couple and whether you would like comfortable or modest lifestyle. The sooner you start the better it is.

ASFA Retirement Standards:

https://www.superannuation.asn.au/consumers/retirement-standard/

Can you plan retirement by yourself?

The short answer is yes. Yes, you can plan your retirement yourself.

But the real question is — should you?

Retirement planning is about making the right financial decisions in the right order, across superannuation, investments, tax, insurance, Centrelink, estate planning, and more. And that’s where most people feel overwhelmed or unsure.

DIY Retirement Planning: The Challenges

If you’re going it alone, you’ll need to:

• Estimate your future income needs and life expectancy
• Understand complex superannuation rules and contribution caps
• Choose appropriate investment strategies
• Navigate Centrelink eligibility and Age Pension rules
• Manage market volatility and inflation risk
• Avoid costly mistakes around tax, timing, and withdrawals

Even one wrong move — like withdrawing super too early, missing a tax opportunity, or misjudging your cash flow — could set your retirement back by years.

Why do you need a financial advisor?

Imagine this: You’re driving without a GPS 🗺️, Picture. You might reach your destination, but not without wrong turns and delays. That’s life without financial planning!

Financial planning is about taking control of your money 💰, Picture with a clear roadmap 🛣️, Picture—

A Financial Advisor can provide you a step-by-step guide to achieving your life goals and living the future you dream of.

The Value of Professional Advice

Think of it like this: You could service your car or renovate your house by watching YouTube.

But when the outcome really matters — you call a professional.

Retirement is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Don’t leave it to chance.

How Arpita Bhatt, a licensed financial advisor at Audient Financial can help you?

At Audient Financial Planning, we make retirement planning personal.

Led by Senior Financial Advisor Arpita Bhatt, we help you:

1. Gain Clarity and Confidence
   Understand how much you’ll need in retirement and where that income will come from
   Get a clear picture of your financial position and future possibilities
2. Create a Personalised Retirement Strategy
   Receive a tailored retirement plan based on your goals, lifestyle, and aspirations
   Build strategies that align with your values, timeline, and ideal retirement lifestyle
3. Maximise Your Superannuation
   Understand your super
   Use smart contribution strategies
   Unlock tax savings and long-term growth opportunities
4. Make Smart Investment and Cash Flow Decisions
   Develop an investment strategy that suits your risk profile and retirement timeline
   Optimise your cash flow to support your lifestyle now and in retirement
5. Access Centrelink Age Pension Support
   Assess your eligibility for the Centrelink Age Pension
   Structure your assets to improve entitlements and boost retirement income
6. Avoid Costly Mistakes
   Make informed choices from the start
   Save time, money, and stress by doing it right the first time
7. Enjoy Peace of Mind
   Feel confident your future is in expert hands
   Know that you won’t run out of money — and can retire with dignity and freedom

You can start the process today by scheduling initial meetings with a licensed financial advisor, Arpita Bhatt at Audient Financial to explain your goals and what would you like to achieve. Audient Financial will hold your hand after that to help you plan your ideal retirement.

We can complete a Fact Find document to understand where you are now and where you would like to be in future. What are your personal and income goals, dreams, aspirations for your future and retirement.

We can start assessing your current superannuation account balance, assets and liabilities, current income, financial dependants, income needs in retirement, etc.

Financial Advisor Arpita Bhatt and her team will do all the research and prepare a recommendation for you on statement of advice.

Remember this is just a starting point. A thousand steps journey starts with a single step. This plan is not a set and forget strategy. It requires a regular review. “It’s not a one-time task—it’s a journey you manage as your life evolves. Arpita Bhatt, a financial advisor at Audient Financial can help you at every step of the way.”

It all starts with a conversation.

Contact us to book free discovery session today — because your future deserves attention now, not later.