Many clients come to us looking to grow and protect their wealth. We believe that good financial advice is the foundation for living the lifestyle you want in the future with the ability to make the right choices for you. We will get to know you and will help you move closer to achieving your financial goals.
We aim to bring all the pieces of your financial life together.
Superannuation
Superannuation is essentially long term savings for retirement. The Australian government make it compulsory that employers make a contribution on their employees’ behalf however if one of your financial goals is to ensure you have a comfortable and flexible retirement with more choice, you may decided to invest additional money in superannuation.
Superannuation is considered one of the most tax-effective ways to save for retirement. To encourage all of us to provide for our own retirement, the Government offers various benefits and concessions within superannuation. These include the Government Co-contribution, that encourage individuals within a certain tax bracket to make contributions to their super fund which are co-contributed to by the Government on a sliding scale based on certain factors such as income and the amount contributed. There is also the opportunity to Salary Sacrifice and other incentives that may make superannuation an attractive investment option whether you are an employee or self-employed.
There is also the option to set up or increase your life insurance cover through your superannuation fund. Premiums may be more affordable because they are generally lower within a superannuation fund, and are paid from contributions rather than after-tax earnings. As there are potential tax considerations on benefits paid you should obtain professional advice when considering these options.
Many Australians don’t know much about superannuation, nor do they consider their superannuation an asset. With superannuation being the second largest asset for a lot of Australians (next to the family home), it’s important to better understand this investment vehicle, remember we are here to help you maximise your Super.
Corporate superannuation
A corporate super fund is a fund that is arranged by an employer for its employees. As an employer it is vital that you effectively manage your employees' superannuation arrangements. For employers looking for assistance with selecting the right superannuation fund we can help you select a fund that offers:
- first-rate administration, including a clearing house facility and Trustee services
- a selection of investment strategies to reflect the varying circumstances and needs of your employees
- an appropriate level of financial protection, including life, total and permanent disablement and salary continuance insurance
- competitive fees and excellent service.
We can provide advice relating to your Superannuation Guarantee (SG) and choice of fund obligations and help design a superannuation offering that meets both your needs as an employer and the needs of your employees.
Retirement planning
The good news is we are living longer and staying more active in retirement. So what can you do to ensure that you can relax and enjoy your retirement? How can you ensure that you will be ready to work less and enjoy your life and hobbies more?
Some of the questions that our clients regularly ask us when it comes to planning for their retirement include:
- can my super last the distance?
- when can I afford to retire?
- what will my retirement be like based on my financial circumstances?
Retirement is not simply about making ends meet. We want to help you retire with freedom and choices. For many people compulsory superannuation payments won’t be enough to deliver the lifestyle they are looking for. You may want to travel, enjoy your hobbies and interests, enjoy fine dining and generally continue enjoying a quality lifestyle with choices. Planning is the key to ensuring you make the most of your retirement savings. Knowing what your options are and how to manage taxation and social security issues, is vital to achieving the lifestyle you want.
Whether you are about to retire, or have already done so, we are here to suggest practical strategies to help you achieve your desired lifestyle.
We can help you understand some of the key issues, including:
- what you should consider when planning your retirement
- where you can invest your money
- your retirement income options.
Our regular catch ups with clients help to track progress and ensure your retirement objectives are achievable.
Risk insurance
How much financial protection do you need? Have your individual circumstances changed recently, or perhaps your marital status has changed? Although we don't like to think about it, life can be unpredictable.
We often focus on protecting our homes and our cars but don’t always have a plan in place to protect our loved ones from financial hardship. At Finance Unlimited Wealth we can assist you to develop a comprehensive risk management plan and decide how much is enough to keep you and your family's lifestyle, dreams and future financially secure.
There are a range of insurance options available that we can tailor to suit your needs and personal situation. The most common types of risk insurance include:
Income protection
Income Protection pays a monthly amount while you are unable to produce an income as a result of illness or injury.
Do you need income protection? You may consider income protection if you:
- have a mortgage, pay rent or school fees
- want additional security for your family
- rely on a regular income for daily living expenses
- want to be able to maintain your lifestyle in the event of unforeseen illness or injury.Many policies will cover up to 75% of your salary if you are totally or partially disabled. By replacing your regular income, Income Protection payments can help you and your family maintain a level of financial normality. Income Protection gives you the financial freedom to focus on your recovery or treatment, without worrying about regular bills and expenses.
We can help you choose the most appropriate 'waiting period' – the time between becoming unable to work and receiving your first income protection payment – and 'benefit period' – the period during which you receive your income protection payments. Income protection can be set up in such as way that costs can be partly funded by Superannuation in certain circumstances, and in most cases this cost is tax deductible.
Life Insurance
Life cover provides much needed financial security in a time of grief and great uncertainty. Life cover is also commonly known as 'term life' or 'life insurance'. It provides a lump sum on your death or on the diagnosis of terminal illness. The lump sum payment can help cover mortgage repayments, living expenses, rent and funeral costs.
Life cover provides financial support when your family need it most. Life cover gives you peace of mind knowing that your family will not suffer financial hardship when you are no longer around to provide for them.
The right amount of Life cover differs from person to person. We can help you calculate an appropriate sum insured for your circumstances that will reflect your debts and the ongoing income requirements of your dependants.
There are several different options when it comes to life cover. Some life insurance companies offer added features and benefits, so be sure to ask us about extras such as a funeral advancement benefit and grief support services.
Total and permanent disability (TPD)
TPD insurance provides a lump sum if you suffer an illness or injury that leaves you totally and permanently disabled. Total and permanent disability can be financially as well as emotionally devastating particularly if you have not considered protecting your income.
TPD insurance benefits are often used to pay debts, medical expenses or fund any permanent lifestyle changes resulting from disablement.
TPD definitions can vary depending on the particular product and insurance policy. Most companies allow you to choose whether you want coverage against being unlikely to be able to work in your 'own' occupation or in 'any' other occupation again, after suffering an illness or injury.
How much cover do I need?
We can help you consider what definition is most appropriate for your personal circumstances as well as calculate the appropriate level of cover to protect you and your family. We can help you compare benefits, discuss premiums and better understand TPD definitions based on the product that you select.
Trauma
Trauma insurance or Recovery insurance - provides you with a lump sum on the diagnosis (or occurrence) of one of a list of specified serious medical conditions and procedures. Each insurance company maintains their own list, but they generally include serious medical conditions such as cancer, heart attack or stroke and many others.
Trauma insurance can be used to:
- pay your out-of-pocket medial treatment costs
- allow you to make lifestyle changes so you can focus on your recovery – such as permanently reducing the number of days you work
- take a short-term career break or family holiday.
Trauma insurance may also allow a partner to take extended time off work to assist in the recovery of their loved one. We can help you accurately assess your circumstances and calculate the appropriate level of cover to protect you and your family.
Business Expense Insurance
Business expenses insurance gives you peace of mind that you have a plan in place to keep your business running in the event that you are unable to work.
Business Expenses insurance pays a monthly benefit to cover fixed business costs if you suffer an illness or injury. It works on a similar principle to income protection, paying a monthly benefit. However, its purpose is significantly different.
Business Expenses insurance is designed to cover the fixed day-to-day costs (up to the monthly benefit) of running your business in your absence, such as:
- office rent or fees plus interest on your property loan
- leases on cars, equipment or plant machinery
- insurance and security costs
- bills - such as electricity, gas, cleaning
- salaries and staff superannuation
- costs of a locum to help out while you focus on getting better.
Like Income Protection, Business Expenses policies are very flexible and can be tailored to suit your individual needs and circumstances.
Investment advice and wealth accumulation
Investment advice
For those with little or no experience, the investment world can be a confusing and daunting place. There are so many products and services to choose from that it can often seem impossible for anyone but a seasoned professional to succeed. Yet, armed with relevant knowledge, discipline and smart financial advice, you can take advantage of the available investment opportunities to build wealth and achieve your financial and lifestyle goals.
We can help you to create a portfolio and assist you to effectively manage your investment portfolio. At Finance Unlimited we can provide you with recommendations regarding when to buy and sell appropriate investments and provide you with investment advice to help you diversify your investments across different asset classes including:
- cash
- fixed interest
- Australian shares
- international shares
- property and infrastructure.
The right type of investment for you depends very much on your individual circumstances. Essentially, the decision you make should be based on your reasons for investing, your tolerance of risk and your investment timeframe.
Wealth accumulation
For long-term capital growth, it makes sense to invest in a spread of growth-oriented investments, such as Australian shares, property and international shares. That way, you are not exclusively reliant upon the fortunes of any one market to provide returns over the longer term.
Sometimes it can take a long time to save up a meaningful amount of money to invest. That can be frustrating, especially if you would like to take advantages of good opportunities.
Budgeting and cashflow management
To effectively manage cashflow, you need to know where your money is going. Once you know what you're spending (and where), you can then modify your behaviour to increase your savings.
A cashflow budget is an essential part of any financial plan. It helps you understand what cash will be available to meet expenses over a certain timeframe, usually 12 months.
It allows you to:
- highlight where you're spending money
- see what proportion of your income is being spent
- identify areas of unnecessary spending
- determine the expected flow of cash
- plan for those months when additional funds are needed.
Just as important as creating a cashflow budget is reviewing it - regularly. External events can always crop up unexpectedly and it is important to plan for these.