Every year, around this time, I find myself wishing clients a ‘happy new financial year’. I get some funny looks. But I genuinely think 1 July deserves more credit than it gets.

We mark birthdays. We mark New Year’s Eve. But 1 July offers a unique opportunity to stop and check in on your money, your plans, and whether they still match where you’re at. I encourage you to pour yourself a cup of tea and work through our Clarity Checklist.

Check your super contributions

From 1 July, the amount you can contribute to super before tax, your ‘concessional contributions’, rises to $32,500 a year. If you’ve paid off the mortgage, the kids have moved out, or your income has settled into a more predictable rhythm, this is worth a second look. Many people set their super contributions years ago and never revisit them. A higher cap might mean an opportunity to put more away and reduce your tax at the same time.

It’s also worth checking whether you have unused cap amounts available from previous years. If your super balance is under $500,000, you may be able to carry forward unused concessional cap amounts from up to five years ago, on top of this year’s $32,500. For some people, that adds up to a much bigger contribution window than they realise.

Review your insurance

If you’re debt-free, congratulations, that’s no small thing. But it could be also worth checking whether the insurance you still hold, inside or outside your super, still earns its keep.

Premiums tend to climb as we get older. If the original reason for that policy (a mortgage, dependent children, a particular risk) no longer applies, it might be costing you more than it’s protecting.

Take stock of your net position

Once a year, I recommend to clients that they sit down and look at the full picture: everything they own, everything they owe, and how that’s shifted since last year.

Has your position improved? Stayed steady? Slipped a little? Whatever the answer, it tells you what to do next, whether that’s increasing your contributions, paying down debt faster, or simply confirming you’re on track.

If you’re drawing a pension, your minimum changes

If you receive an income stream from your super, known as an account-based pension, your minimum payment is recalculated every 1 July, based on your balance on that date and your age.

If you turned 65 this financial year, your minimum jumps from 4% to 5% of your balance. The same step-up happens again at 75 (6%) and 80 (7%). It’s a detail that’s easy to miss, but getting it wrong can have tax consequences, so it’s worth confirming with your fund or adviser.

Keep an eye on the Age Pension thresholds

For anyone close to the Centrelink asset test limits, there are other dates worth knowing. The lower asset threshold is indexed on 1 July, and the cut-off limits are indexed three times a year: 20 March, 1 July and 20 September.

If you’re near the Centrelink thresholds, even a small change in your assets, or the indexed figures themselves, can affect what you receive.

The updated thresholds for most individuals this financial year are:

Pensions Means Testing

Pension — Income free areas

Pension — Income limits — Resident

Pension — Assets free areas — Homeowner

Pension — Assets free areas — Non-homeowner

Pension — Assets limits — Resident — Homeowner

Pension — Assets limits — Resident — Non-homeowner

Make a New Financial Year Resolution

Unlike those commitments we all make at the start of each calendar year (how’s that gym membership going?), I encourage you to make a simple New Financial Year Resolution that’s easy to keep. Just 10 minutes to check in on your super, your insurance, your pension, and your current situation.

If you see something that no longer fits – fix it, flag it with your adviser, or come and talk with me. Making changes now really will make it a Happy New Financial Year.

To find out how we can help secure your financial future, Contact Us or call 02 6583 7588.

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Time for a portfolio review

A good first step is to review your investment strategy. With recent market volatility, things may have shifted and your risk tolerance may have changed considerably.

It’s also worthwhile checking your capital gains or losses before 30 June, as this allows you to take action where appropriate.

For example, you may consider realising capital losses to offset gains from assets such as shares, property or crypto.

Super contribution strategies

You should also check your super contributions as early as possible. If you have not reached the Super Guarantee (SG) contributions cap of $30,000, or $120,000 for non-concessional contributions, you may be eligible to make additional contributions to your super.

If you plan to contribute before 30 June, check when your employer will make their contributions. The introduction of Payday Super means some employers are contributing earlier, which may affect your contribution caps.

You will also need to find out the cut-off date from your super fund, which is generally 25-26 June.

Speak to us about the various ways you could boost your super before the EOFY.

For SMSF members, make sure that:

• All contributions are received by the fund’s bank account by 30 June
• Minimum pension payments are made
• Asset valuations are up to date
• Fund records are current

Division 296 super tax

It’s also important to note that Division 296 tax comes into effect on 1 July 2026 and applies to investment earnings earned during 2026–27 and the following financial years.

For those whose total super balance exceeds $3 million on 30 June 2027 there will be a 15 per cent additional tax on the proportion of earnings corresponding to the Total Super Balance (TSB) between $3 million and $10 million and an additional 25 per cent tax on the proportion of earnings corresponding to TSBs above $10 million.

Tax timing strategies

If you have regular deductible expenses, such as investment loan interest or annual costs, it may be useful for some to prepay them before 30 June to claim a deduction for this financial year.

You may also consider the timing of income expected before 30 June. Deferring income until after the end of the financial year may help reduce your tax liability.

Tax rates are also changing for lower income earners. From 1 July 2026, the rate for income between $18,201 and $45,000 will reduce from 16 per cent to 15 per cent, with a further reduction to 14 per cent the following year.

Tax returns done right

While planning ahead for the EOFY is key, it’s also important to take the time to understand what the ATO is focusing on when it comes to preparing your tax return post June 30.

This year, the ATO will be focusing on work-related deductions and income that’s not declared on tax returns.

If you are claiming work-related expenses, ensure they meet the ATO’s three golden rules:

1. The expense must be directly related to earning your income
2. You must not have been reimbursed
3. You must have records to support your claim, such as receipts or a logbook.

If you work from home for all or part of the week, you can use either the actual cost method or the fixed rate method.

Don’t overlook income

The ATO is also paying close attention to undeclared income. This includes:

• Cash payments
• Interest income
• Rental income
• Earnings from crypto assets.

For those with a side hustle, check whether it may be considered a business. All business income, regardless of amount, is assessable and must be declared.

If you intend to claim deductions for business expenses related to your side hustle, ensure they are directly connected to earning that income and are supported by receipts. Your accountant will be able to determine what should be declared.

If you’d like to talk to us about ways to boost your super before EOFY or questions about your investment strategies, call today to ensure everything is in place before 30 June.

Our team are ready to help you feel confident in the new financial year, contact us here.

Source: https://www.ato.gov.au

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But one of the greatest risks to that legacy can be the challenge of dealing with sudden wealth. When adult children inherit large sums or significant assets without preparation, sometimes the result is family tension, poor decisions or erosion of wealth.

While precise figures vary, research and industry experience consistently show that many families struggle to preserve wealth beyond the second and third generations, largely due to behavioural and governance challenges rather than investment performance.

Building financial literacy

Financial capability is developed over years of exposure, education, and experience.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) MoneySmart program emphasises that financial literacy is a core life skill, not simply a technical ability.

While an inheritance may be some years off, parents who are expecting to pass on some form of an inheritance, should begin involving their children in financial discussions where appropriate. This might include reviewing investment portfolios together, explaining the complexities of how superannuation works or discussing the rationale behind major financial decisions. Understanding how risk is associated with investing, and ongoing tax obligations is also essential to create the whole picture.

Practical experience is just as important as theory. Allowing adult children to manage a portion of investments, under guidance, can build confidence and accountability. This phased approach reduces the risk of overwhelm later, when financial responsibility increases significantly.

Gifting or loaning?

Another important consideration when supporting the next generation is whether to provide financial assistance as a gift or a loan. The decision has both ethical and practical implications.

Gifting can provide immediate support without the burden of repayment, allowing children to purchase a home, invest or establish a business. But unequal gifting among siblings may create perceptions of favouritism, even if the intention is fair. Clear communication and documentation of the reasoning behind decisions is essential.

Loaning, on the other hand, can maintain a sense of responsibility and fairness.

Loans structured with clear terms can encourage financial discipline and avoid creating dependency. Families often formalise the arrangements with written agreements that set expectations for repayments and interest. There are also taxation and legal considerations.

The Australian Taxation Office may assess certain arrangements differently depending on whether funds are genuinely gifted or loaned. Professional advice ensures that intentions are reflected correctly. Ultimately, the choice between gifting and loaning may come down to the financial maturity of the recipient and your estate plan.

Preparing the next generation beyond money

Financial preparation alone is not enough. Inheriting wealth also involves emotional and behavioural readiness.

Open conversations about wealth, values and expectations are important. This includes explaining the purpose of wealth, whether it is to provide security, support philanthropy or create opportunities for future generations.

Governance structures, such as family meetings, investment committees or advisory boards can also help heirs understand their roles and responsibilities and encourage collaboration.

Philanthropy is another powerful tool for preparing heirs. Involving children in charitable giving decisions can instil a sense of social responsibility. It reinforces the idea that wealth is not solely for personal use, but also a resource to benefit the broader community.

Managing the transition

Gradual transition strategies can ease the adjustment for both parents and children.

This might involve progressively transferring control of assets. For example, adult children may first participate in decision-making, then take on increasing responsibility for managing investments over time. Trust structures are often used for staged distributions, allowing flexibility and protection.

Regular reviews are equally important. As family circumstances change, so too should the plan. Marriage, divorce, business ventures or health issues can all affect how wealth should be managed and transferred.

A legacy of capability

Successful intergenerational wealth transfer is not measured by the size of the inheritance but by the preparedness of those who receive it. Financial literacy, decision-making and open communication are the foundations of lasting wealth. By investing time in educating and including the next generation, families can reduce the risks associated with sudden wealth and create a legacy that endures.

If you’d like to discuss how to prepare your family for a successful wealth transition, we’re here to help. Contact our team here.

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EOFY creates the perfect environment for fraud. With refunds, payment reminders, super contributions, and updated financial documents all top of mind, scammers rely on urgency and distraction to trick people into handing over personal or financial information.

Knowing what to watch for can save you stress, money, and headaches. This guide highlights the most common EOFY scams and offers practical tips to help protect your finances before you act.

Fake ATO communications

A common scam involves messages pretending to be from the Australian Taxation Office. These can arrive as emails, text messages, or phone calls, claiming that a refund is due or that a tax debt must be paid immediately.

Scammers create urgency by threatening penalties, legal action, or freezing accounts. They often ask for payment via unusual methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or direct bank transfer. The ATO will never request payment in these ways.

Always verify suspicious communications independently. Do not click links or provide personal information in response to unexpected messages. If in doubt, search online to find the correct contact details.

Phishing emails targeting business owners

EOFY is a particularly high-risk time for businesses. Scammers often send emails that look like they come from payroll providers, accounting software platforms, banks, or even bookkeepers.

These emails may request login credentials, bank information updates, or contain attachments that install malware. Verify any unusual requests by calling the organisation using a trusted phone number. Never rely on the contact details or links provided in the email itself.

Even seemingly minor requests can be part of a larger scheme. A small error in payment details can lead to ongoing losses if scammers are able to redirect multiple invoices over time.

Invoice and payment redirection scams

Businesses finalising accounts are often targeted with fake invoices or intercepted invoices that have altered bank account details.

Because these payments are routine and expected, they can be processed without question. Always double-check any changes to payment details with the supplier before sending funds. A quick verification call can prevent significant financial loss.

It’s also wise to keep a consistent process for approving payments, including multiple checks or sign-offs for large amounts, to reduce the risk of falling victim to invoice scams.

Superannuation and investment scams

Scammers take advantage of EOFY financial reviews by promoting fake investment opportunities or superannuation schemes that promise high returns or tax advantages. Some even claim to help access super early to “avoid tax” or “invest better.”

Be cautious of unsolicited offers and guaranteed returns. Only consider changes to super or investments through verified and legitimate channels. Check any adviser or company through the official regulatory registers before taking any action.

Social media and SMS scams

Short text messages or social media ads claiming you are eligible for a tax refund are increasingly common. These often contain links to fake websites that collect personal information. Scammers may use official-looking logos, branding, and URLs to make the message appear legitimate.

Do not click on links from unexpected messages. Verify the legitimacy of any refund or offer through official websites and use secure channels for submitting sensitive information.

Staying safe

At EOFY, it’s important to slow down. Scammers rely on urgency. Messages that pressure you to take immediate action or threaten consequences are red flags. Verify first, act second.

Keep devices and software up to date, use strong and unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Keep an eye on your accounts for unusual activity and regularly review payment processes to make sure safeguards are in place.

EOFY should be a time to tidy up finances and plan for the year ahead. Protecting yourself from scams ensures that money stays where it belongs and that EOFY is a time for financial clarity, not stress.

For any questions or concerns about suspicious communications, contact us. A quick check now can prevent problems later and give peace of mind while managing your EOFY finances.

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That’s why your financial strategy shouldn’t be static. It shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. Instead, it should evolve with you adapting as your life shifts from one milestone to the next.

As Ursula Boorman, Managing Director of Direct Advisers, explains:

“Life’s Transitions don’t just happen to others, they can happen to any of us. The financial choices you make today will shape your next chapter. Advice isn’t about predicting the future, it’s about preparing for it with confidence.”

Transitions Are Universal — But Often Under-Prepared For

Major life events bring emotional and financial complexities. Yet many Australians feel they’re navigating these transitions without the confidence they deserve.

According to AMP’s Retirement Confidence Pulse (2025):

• Only half of Australians feel confident about their retirement prospects.
• Confidence is significantly lower among women and those experiencing separation or life changes.
• People in their 40s, often balancing care for children and ageing parents, report the lowest confidence levels overall.

These data points reflect the reality that even well-intentioned plans can fall out of step with life’s circumstances, especially when expectations shift.

Advice Matters at Every Milestone

Financial advice isn’t just for the wealthy or retired. It plays a valuable role at every stage of life — from building a foundation early in your career to pivoting after separation, to protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build.

The Value of Advice Consumer Research (2025) by the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) highlights the benefits:

• Australians with financial advice consistently report higher financial confidence
• They experience lower stress about money
• Advice helps households stay focused on long-term goals, even through uncertainty
• And people say it gives them more clarity and control over their future.

This isn’t just numbers, it’s wellbeing.

Life’s Transitions, The Direct Advisers Approach

At Direct Advisers, we call this phase Life’s Transitions. The journey isn’t just about super balances, investments, or insurance, it’s about you and the realities of the life you’re living now.

Our dedicated Life’s Transitions page outlines how we support clients through:

• Separation and divorce
• Loss of a partner
• Caring responsibilities
• Career change or redundancy
• Retirement planning
• Estate and legacy decisions

Each transition brings practical questions and emotional weight and a well-timed conversation can make all the difference.

Final Thought: Plan for Life, Not Just the Numbers

Transitions are inevitable. Feeling uncertain doesn’t have to be.

The power of advice lies in its ability to evolve with you helping you make confident choices through change, safeguard what matters most, and embrace your next chapter with purpose.

If you’re facing a milestone, big or small, taking a proactive step now can bring clarity tomorrow. You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need someone on your side to help you navigate the questions.

Ready to begin your next chapter with confidence?
Reach out to the team at Direct Advisers for a Life’s Transitions conversation that respects your goals, your story, and the life you want to build.

The post Life’s Milestones and Transitions: Your Strategy Should Evolve With You appeared first on Direct Advisers.

If the ballpark numbers are at least remotely close, the amount of assets set to be transferred from one generation to the next in Australia over the coming decades will amount to trillions of dollars.

According to estimates within a 2021 Productivity Commission report, Australians aged 60 and over will transfer $3.5 trillion or an average of about $175 billion per year in wealth in the next two decades. A 2024 report by JBWere Australia had an even higher estimate of $5.4 trillion for likely wealth transfers in Australia over the next 20 years.

The largest part of this great wealth transfer will be between members of the “Baby Boomer” generation (people born just after the end of World War II through to 1964) and their children and other heirs.

It will include family homes, investment properties, superannuation money, direct shares and a wide range of other financial and non-financial assets.

The value of inheritances is not only likely to grow dramatically as wealth levels increase but it will be an increasingly important source of future income and assets for younger generations.

Show me the money

Vanguard’s 2025 How Australia Retires research found that 21% of working-age Australians and 8% of retirees expect to use an inheritance as a source of their retirement income.

Furthermore, 13% of working-age Australians and retirees said the family home would become an inheritance for their beneficiaries or children and they planned to keep it within the family when they died.

The conversation around inheritances interweaves with Australian government research that many Australians are not exhausting their superannuation savings before they die.

The 2023 Intergenerational Report found that most retirees draw down at the legislated minimum drawdown rates.

“This results in many retirees leaving a significant proportion of their balance unspent, for example, a single retiree drawing down at the minimum rates would be expected to still have a quarter of their retirement assets at death,” the report noted.

Treasury estimates in the 2020 Retirement Income Review included projections from Treasury that outstanding superannuation death benefits could increase to just under $130 billion in 2059, assuming there’s no change in how retirees draw down their superannuation balances.

A touchy subject

Australians collectively had around $17.7 trillion in household wealth at 30 June 2025, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, including property and other investments, cash deposits, and superannuation.

Meanwhile, the 2025 UBS Global Wealth Report showed we ranked second in the world for median wealth per adult at US$268,424, and fifth for average wealth per adult at US$516,640.

There’s potentially a lot of household money to go around, and a lot to be inherited.

But inheritance planning, unlike succession planning within a business, is an area that’s rarely discussed at the family level.

Most families regard subjects such as death and the future division of wealth as unpleasant and potentially sensitive when multiple heirs are involved.

But there’s a lot to be said for having open discussions within your family about the intended treatment of assets and future inheritances.

Creating a valid will, and specifically documenting how you want your assets to be managed and divided after your death, should be a key step in the inheritance planning process.

Residential real estate and superannuation, which combined make up more than three-quarters of total household assets, are the largest components of most inheritances.

Ensuring that any superannuation you have left over at the time of your death is distributed according to your wishes requires you to complete a binding death benefit nomination form provided by your super fund.

Seek professional advice

It’s important to be aware of any potential tax implications. For example, while superannuation distributed to a surviving spouse or dependent children is generally tax-free, non-dependents (including adult children) may be required to pay tax on amounts they receive.

Those inheriting assets such as property and financial securities may also face tax issues.

Estate planning can be complex. Speak to us about helping you and your intended beneficiaries map out an inheritance framework that also identifies issues such as potential tax liabilities is a prudent step.

To ensure a smooth transfer of inheritance and put the right plan in place for you, contact our team here. 

Source: Vanguard November 2025

This article has been reprinted with the permission of Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd. Copyright Smart Investing™

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Thoughtfully planning out what it is you want to achieve and how you go about achieving it, can provide clarity and structure and ensure you stay on track.

As we look toward to the year ahead, now is the perfect time to set out a framework that supports lasting progress, not for the first few months, but throughout the whole year.

We explain how setting realistic goals can help you grow, stay motivated and create a year you can be proud of.

Reflecting on the past

Before we start to look forward, we must look back. Reflect on what you achieved in the past year – think about where you felt a sense of accomplishment as well as the areas that you may have fallen a little short and may need improvement for the year ahead.

Writing each of these down makes it easier, so you can avoid repeating the same patterns, especially for the things that didn’t go according to plan.

Next, you need to align your goals to what matters to you. What are your true values? Many goals are set based on what we think other people expect or what we think we should be doing. If you’re creating goals for these reasons, you are probably setting yourself up for failure.

Some considerations for values that are important to you could be health and well-being, career growth, family and relationships or financial stability.

Building the framework

Now, we’ve all heard about setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time- bound), but what about ‘systems’?

Author of Atomic Habits, James Clear, states that when we are not achieving our goals, or breaking certain habits, it may not be about the goals that are being set but the system we are using to achieve the goals.

Clear uses a framework called Four Laws of Behaviour Change, which set rules around achieving goals, or breaking bad habits. The four laws are as follows:

Law 1 – Make it obvious

Law 2 – Make it attractive

Law 3 – Make it easy

Law 4 – Make it satisfying

These laws are designed to create a simple, effective framework to keep you focused on your goals.

Implement and execute

Here are some examples of how you can use this system to create simple habits to achieve your goals.

Law 1: Make it obvious

• Design your environment so the cue for your habit is right in front of you

Example: Put your gym clothes on the bed the night before

Law 2: Make it attractive

• Pair habits with something you enjoy

Example: Only listen to your favourite podcast while walking

Law 3: Make it easy

• Reduce friction-make habits as convenient as possible
• Start small:
  • Do 2 push-ups
  • Meditate for 1 minute

LAW 4: Make it satisfying

• Reward yourself immediately after the habit
• Track habits so you feel progress
• Create a “don’t break the chain” streak

Cultivating small daily habits will keep you motivated. Fostering sustainable habits and seeing the gradual change each day will give you the dopamine hit you need to continue on your journey. When you start to feel overwhelmed, the process feels like a hard slog, and you are less likely to stick to it.

Remember, you don’t need to overhaul your life; it’s about creating small habits that are going to be more manageable to help you achieve big goals, whatever they may be.

Set yourself up for kicking goals

Setting goals for 2026 is an opportunity to shape your life intentionally rather than drifting through the year on autopilot, which we tend to do if we don’t carefully and thoughtfully plan ahead.

With reflection, clarity, systems, and flexibility, your goals can become powerful tools for transformation. Start early, stay curious, and give yourself permission to evolve along the way.

Here’s to a purposeful, aligned, and fulfilling 2026.

We can help you to align your plan with your values while keeping your long-term goals on track. Contact our team here.

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“Financial planning isn’t just about figures — it’s about purpose. When you connect your money to what matters most in your life, you give your money meaning and power.”
— Ursula Boorman, Managing Director, Direct Advisers

Understanding your priorities can help you make more confident decisions, reduce stress, and build a life that reflects your values — not just your balance sheet.

Four out of five respondents to a 2024 survey wanted their investments to have a positive impact in the world.ⁱ

The survey, by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), found 79 per cent of investors would be more likely to invest in funds or products that have been independently verified as responsible or ethical. Animal cruelty was a top concern for 66 per cent, followed by human rights abuses – 60 per cent, gambling – 56 per cent, companies that don’t paid their fair share of tax – 55 per cent, as well as tobacco, weapons and firearms all at 55 per cent.ⁱⁱ

This growing interest in responsible investment saw assets under management in Australian funds rise 24 per cent to more than $1.6 trillion in 2024.ⁱⁱⁱ

Meanwhile, a 2025 survey of 3,500 high net worth Australian investors found that sustainable investing is gaining traction as long as appropriate returns, clear risk and return profiles, and transparent performance reporting are in place.^iv

Adding value

Aligning your investments with your values isn’t about changing the way you invest, it’s about adding an extra layer of meaning to the process and shaping your portfolio to reflect what’s important to you.

For some, that might mean supporting companies that innovate responsibly or treat employees well. For others, it could mean avoiding industries that don’t align with their principles. There’s no single ‘right’ approach because your values are unique to you.

And here’s the reassuring part: investing with your values doesn’t mean sacrificing returns. Many businesses that operate with strong governance and long-term strategies have shown to perform competitively over time. So, you can pursue financial growth while feeling confident that your money is working in ways that matter to you.

In fact, the RIAA noted in 2024 a ten-year return on RIAA-certified products of 13.9 per cent, compared with 9.19 per cent for the rest of the market (Australian share funds).^v

Of course, fundamental investment rules apply. Diversification is one of the keys to successful values-based investing. But it’s not about limiting your choices, it’s about finding the right mix of investments that meet both your financial and personal criteria.

A well-constructed portfolio can include companies across different sectors that align with your principles while still delivering strong performance. This approach ensures you’re not only investing with purpose but also managing risk effectively.

Taking the first step

Turning this idea into reality can be complex. Investors’ priorities are different, and the investment universe is vast. That’s where a financial adviser adds value.

At Direct Advisers, we believe financial advice should always start with you, your dreams, your values, and your priorities. Money shouldn’t be something you simply manage; it should be something that actively supports the life you want to live.

If you’re unsure whether your current financial strategy truly reflects your priorities, now is a great time to take stock. A conversation can help you:

• clarify what matters most right now
• understand how your finances support your goals
• identify opportunities you may have overlooked
• feel confident and in control of your future

Planning with purpose leads to peace of mind — and a wealth strategy that works for your life, not the other way around.

Ready to realign your finances with your priorities?

We can help you to align your portfolio with your values while keeping your long-term goals on track. Contact our team here.

i, ii From Values to Riches 2024: Charting consumer demand for responsible investing in Australia – Consumer Research

iii, v Record $1.6 trillion committed to responsible investing, but greenwashing remains a major concern – Media Release

iv New EY survey: Australian investors more likely to stick with their adviser, though shifting expectations are reshaping the wealth management landscape | EY – Australia

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Giving isn’t just an act of kindness; it can also be a smart financial move. From helping loved ones today to creating a legacy for future generations, strategic gifting can align with your broader financial goals.

After all, Australians are generous. We consistently rank among the most charitable in the world with a study showing that, in the past year, 56 per cent of Australians have donated money and 31 per cent have donated their time.ⁱ

Australia, as a wealthy but ageing nation, is well-placed to grow charitable bequests, but the reality is less encouraging. The number of people leaving bequests to charities is low and the size of the bequests also “falls far short of international peers”, according to The Bequest Report by JBWere.ⁱⁱ

Why planned giving matters

Often, giving is reactive rather than planned. We might respond to a donation drive, an emotional TV ad, a friend’s fundraiser or gift property or shares to a family member.

But giving can also be intentional. Some people choose to set aside a portion of their annual income, commit to monthly donations or include charities in their wills. Others join workplace giving programs or support causes that reflect their values. In this way, generosity becomes less about impulse and more of a conscious decision.

There may be advantages in taking a more strategic approach. It can amplify your impact, build your reputation, open doors to new networks and potentially deliver tax benefits. Donations to organisations with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status can help to manage your tax position by reducing taxable income. If you give more than $2 to an organisation with DGR status, you can claim a 100 per cent tax deduction for your donation.ⁱⁱⁱ

Planned giving can help to create a lasting impact, building a legacy for family and community. It integrates generosity into financial planning, ensuring investments reflect personal or family values. In this way, it becomes a tool for involving younger generations in financial governance, teaching responsibility and shared purpose.

Strategic gifting can include early inheritance, education funding or contributions to a family trust. These approaches can reduce future taxes on your estate.

Structured giving options for lasting impact

For those looking to make a lasting impact on their communities, structured giving vehicles offer flexibility and control.

It can create long-term financial stability to favourite causes, providing predictable funding for charities. It can potentially reduce complexity in estate planning and ensure your wishes are carried out; and donating assets may offset capital gains tax liabilities.

Unlike mass market or other forms of giving, such as direct donations to charities, crowd funding and volunteering, structured giving involves using a vehicle designed to enable giving such as:

• Private Ancillary Funds – often used by families and individuals able to make a minimum initial contribution of $500,000 with a plan to grow the fund beyond $1 million.
• Public Ancillary Funds – suitable for those with a lower entry point of $20,000
• Community foundations or giving circles – enable donors to pool resources for local impact. Entry levels can be as low as $2,000.
• Donor Advised Funds or sub funds – a simpler, more flexible structure allowing donors to distribute funds over time. They can be established relatively quickly with some recommending an initial donation of a minimum $20,000.

Structured giving can also occur without using a dedicated vehicle through, for example, corporate cash donations or larger scale and planned contributions from individuals and families.

Giving isn’t just about generosity, it’s about creating a lasting impact.

We can help to create a giving strategy that supports your family and backs the causes you care about. Contact our team here.

i World Giving Index | CAF

ii Bequest Report | JBWere

iii Inquiry Report – Future Foundations for giving | Productivity Commission

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Retirement isn’t about stepping back. It’s about stepping into a new chapter where you decide what comes next.

Even if you are not yet there, and retirement is still a way off, it’s never too soon to think about who you want to be, what gives you joy, and start to gravitate towards living your dreams.

Let go of conformity, embrace freedom

Of course, you can live your dreams at any stage of your life but the exciting part about retirement is that you are no longer bound by the expectations that shaped your earlier years. You don’t have to earn a living anymore, so what you do with your time can be driven purely by passion, curiosity, or purpose.

For much of our lives, we learn to conform. We wear the suits, follow the rules, meet the deadlines, and often suppress our wilder ideas or untapped creativity to fit the roles expected of us, whether as professionals, parents, providers, or partners.

But something shifts later in life. With age often comes clarity, and a new kind of confidence. Retirement can be the moment when we stop asking what others think we should do and instead, begin to ask what our hearts are calling us to do.

This is your opportunity to push boundaries, shed old labels, and express your true self without apology. It is a time to honour your inner voice, whether that means embracing bold adventure, creating, starting over, or simply doing what feels meaningful to you.

Unconventional can be unforgettable

Retirement can be the perfect time to try something unexpected or bold. Consider these inspiring examples:

Isabella Rossellini

After being let go by Lancôme at age 45 for being “too old,” Rossellini redefined what aging looks like. She went back to school in her 50s to study animal behaviour, wrote books, bought a working farm, and later, in a full-circle moment, was rehired by the same brand that once let her go. Now in her 70s, she continues to model, act, write, and farm, all on her own terms.

Diana Nyad

At 64, Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida, a journey of 110 miles through open ocean, after four earlier attempts. It was a dream she had carried her whole life, and she proved that persistence and passion don’t expire with age.

Harriette Thompson

Harriette ran her first marathon in her 70s and, at 92, became the oldest woman ever to complete one. Her story is a celebration of physical endurance and mental strength at any age.

Anthony Hopkins

Well into his 80s, the Oscar-winning actor continues to create. He acts in major films, paints, composes music, and shares his work with younger generations online. He shows that creativity and passion do not have a use-by date.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 69 for her work with “Missionaries of Charity,” a world-wide organization that helped the sick, the poor, the dying and left an incredible legacy of benevolence that continues today.

Finding your joy

This chapter of life gives you the rare opportunity to redefine yourself, or finally be yourself, in ways that may not have been possible earlier in life.

Whether your dream is to travel the world, volunteer overseas, write a novel, take up painting, or pursue a long-held interest that never fit into your working life, now is your chance.

And it doesn’t have to follow tradition. Retirement can be adventurous, creative, active, or entrepreneurial. It can be spent on a cruise ship, in a mountain village, running marathons, or making movies. And you don’t have to set the world on fire – if what makes you happy is watching your roses bloom, then go for it! The point is, this part of your life is yours to shape.

Retirement is a time to live fully and follow your own path to what brings you joy.

What will your next chapter be?

Our team are online and ready to help you plan your next steps. Contact us here.

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