Retire Life Ready

A no-nonsense guide to maximising your money, designing your future and retiring on your own terms Retirement isn’t just about how much money you’ve saved. It’s also about the kind of life you want to live when you stop working. Whether your retirement feels a long way off or just around the corner, the simple choices you make now can make a big difference later. In Retire Life Ready, financial adviser James Wrigley shows you what you already have, what else you’ll need and what steps you can take to build the life you’re aiming for. From getting on top of your super and investments to making the most of your assets, Retire Life Ready will help you build a secure plan that’s shaped around you. Identify the cost in dollars for the lifestyle you want when you retire Understand superannuation as a powerful tool for your financial future Get strategies to pay down debt and your home loan Grow your wealth long-term with smart, simple investing strategies Plan ahead for healthcare and the pension, for yourself and for your parents Protect what you’ve built and create a legacy for the people you love with insurance and estate planning The best retirement plans don’t just secure your finances. They unlock the life you want to live. Where do you want to be, and what makes you happiest? Retire Life Ready gives you the tools to stress less, plan smarter and love the life you’ve worked for, both now and in your retirement years.

Preface ix Introduction XI Part I: Start here and design your destination 1 1 What are you retiring to? 3 2 Where are you now? 19 3 How much do you need in retirement? 35 Part II: The building blocks to your destination 55 4 Debt as a friend and foe 57 5 The secret sauce to an epic retirement through investing 71 6 Keeping more of your hard-earned by understanding tax 107 7 Superannuation is the backbone of your retirement 123 8 Ensuring you can get there with insurance 153 9 The age pension and more 161 10 Inheritance and the great wealth transfer 183 11 Helping your loved ones navigate aged care 207 Part III: Closing the gap 221 12 Where are you headed? 223 13 Allocating your surplus 239 14 A step beyond the basics 249 15 From accumulating to living 261 Putting it all together 271 Resources 275 Index 277