Retirement is one of life’s biggest transitions. It’s not just about finishing work — it’s about starting a new chapter that ideally brings freedom, purpose, and peace of mind.
But as exciting as it can be, it also comes with a mountain of decisions. Superannuation, pensions, investment strategies, tax planning, estate planning — and the constant question: will I have enough?
It’s no wonder that many Australians start wondering whether they need a financial adviser to help them prepare for retirement. In this blog, we unpack the value of advice in the lead-up to retirement — what it looks like, who it’s for, and how it can help you live the retirement you actually want.
What does a financial adviser do?
Let’s start with the basics.
A financial adviser helps people make smart, structured decisions about money. But good advice is about far more than numbers — it’s about aligning your money with what matters most to you.
For pre-retirees, an adviser typically helps you:
- Understand what your retirement will actually cost
- Figure out if you’re on track — and what needs to change if you’re not
- Optimise superannuation contributions and investment strategies
- Minimise unnecessary tax or Centrelink surprises
- Turn assets into income in a sustainable and tax-smart way
- Make confident decisions about retiring early, downsizing, helping kids, or selling a business
- Put a strategy in place for your estate and your legacy
It’s not about maximising dollars for the sake of it — it’s about giving you structure, clarity, and confidence in one of life’s most important chapters.
Do I really need one?
Not everyone needs a financial adviser — and we don’t believe in scare tactics or sales tricks. But the truth is: many Australians approaching retirement would benefit from advice.
Here are some common signs it could be worth speaking to someone:
1. You’re not sure if you’re on track
This is the big one. Maybe you’ve been saving steadily. Maybe your super looks decent. But how does it all translate into income when the salary stops?
A good adviser helps you answer questions like:
- When can I afford to retire?
- Will I run out of money?
- Should I retire early or work part-time?
- What does a ‘comfortable retirement’ actually cost?
By modelling your future cash flow based on your assets, lifestyle, and goals, an adviser can show you whether your current path gets you where you want to go — and what adjustments might help.
2. You have multiple assets or income sources
Retirement isn’t just about super. You might also have:
- An investment property
- Shares or managed funds
- A family trust
- A business
- Savings or cash reserves
An adviser can help you structure these in a way that’s sustainable, tax-efficient, and aligned with your lifestyle goals. This is especially important when you start drawing down income.
3. You’re trying to understand your super options
Superannuation rules can be confusing — and they often change. Add in terms like transition to retirement (TTR), account-based pensions, contribution caps, and preservation age, and it’s no wonder many people feel lost.
A financial adviser can help you:
- Maximise your concessional (pre-tax) and non-concessional (after-tax) contributions
- Understand the best time to move into pension phase
- Minimise tax on your super income in retirement
- Ensure your super strategy aligns with your broader goals
This can make a big difference to how much you have — and how long it lasts.
4. You’re navigating a big decision
Approaching retirement often involves a few big forks in the road. Should you:
- Sell your home and downsize?
- Help the kids with a house deposit?
- Sell your business?
- Retire early or take a sabbatical?
- Make a large non-concessional contribution to super?
These decisions can have ripple effects across tax, super, cash flow, and estate planning. Advice gives you clarity on how each decision affects the big picture — and helps you make choices you won’t regret later.
5. You want to make the most of entitlements
You might be surprised how many Australians are eligible for the Age Pension — even with hundreds of thousands in super and investments. But the rules are complex, and a misstep could cost you thousands.
Advisers can help you:
- Understand your Centrelink eligibility
- Strategically time or structure withdrawals to maximise your benefit
- Reduce assessable assets where appropriate
- Navigate gifting rules and thresholds
It’s not about gaming the system — it’s about making smart, legal choices to support your retirement.
6. You don’t want to DIY
Some people enjoy managing their finances. They read about super changes for fun and get a kick out of building spreadsheets. But if that’s not you — or if you simply don’t have the time or energy — advice can be a valuable partner.
Retirement is too important to ‘wing it’. A financial adviser helps you avoid costly mistakes, stay on track, and give you confidence that your money is working as hard as you did.
What does retirement advice actually look like?
At Verse, retirement advice isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s deeply personal, shaped around your life, not someone else’s definition of “success.”
Here’s what it usually involves:
1. Getting to know you
Before we talk numbers, we talk life.
What does your ideal retirement look like? What are you excited about? What are you worried about? Do you want to travel, work part-time, help the kids, volunteer, move house?
Understanding your goals and values is the foundation for everything that follows.
2. Strategy and modelling
We build a personalised plan that maps out how your money supports your goals — across super, investments, cash flow, tax, and estate planning.
You’ll see clear projections and options: how different choices affect your future, and what trade-offs you’re making.
We answer questions like:
- What income can I draw sustainably?
- What happens if markets drop?
- What if I live to 95?
- What if we want to gift $100k to our kids?
It’s not just advice — it’s scenario planning for real life.
3. Implementation and action
We don’t just hand over a plan and wish you luck. We help you implement every piece — whether that’s consolidating super, adjusting investments, or setting up an income stream.
It’s about making the strategy real, without the overwhelm.
4. Ongoing advice and support
Retirement isn’t a one-time event. Your needs, preferences, and the rules will change. That’s why ongoing advice matters.
We review, refine, and adapt the strategy with you — so you stay confident, in control, and ahead of the game.
Can’t I just get advice from my super fund?
You can — and for some people, it’s a helpful starting point. But there are important differences:
If you just want help with which investment option to choose inside your fund, their advice may be enough. But if you want strategic guidance that takes your whole life into account, an independent adviser is more valuable.
How much does retirement advice cost?
It depends on the complexity of your situation, the adviser you choose, and whether you want one-off or ongoing advice.
At Verse, we believe in full transparency. We charge fixed fees, not percentages, and we’ll always give you a quote before you commit. The goal is to provide massive value — not just in dollars, but in clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
When should I speak to an adviser?
You can never get advice too early, but you can get it too late. When it comes to retirement planning, the sweet spot is often 5–10 years before retirement. That gives you time to:
- Maximise contributions
- Adjust your investment strategy
- Make big decisions with clarity
- Structure assets tax-effectively
- Set up the right income streams
Ultimately, what matters most is that you get advice before making decisions that are hard to undo.
Final thoughts
Retirement should feel like a reward for a lifetime of effort — not a time of stress or second-guessing.
If you’re asking the question “Do I need a financial adviser for retirement?”, you’re probably someone who wants to be intentional about this next chapter.
And that’s exactly what great advice helps with.
It’s not about beating the market or chasing every last tax break. It’s about knowing where you’re headed, why it matters, and how your money can take you there — with confidence.
Want to talk?
If you’re thinking about retirement — whether it’s five years away or five months — we’d love to help.
At Verse, we specialise in working with people approaching retirement who want advice that’s clear, personal, and deeply aligned with their life goals.
Get in touch for a no-pressure chat. It might just be the most valuable conversation you have all year.
