FAQ

 

What does a financial adviser actually do?

​

A financial adviser helps you make informed decisions about your money. We bring your super, investments, retirement, debt, tax position, insurance and personal goals together into one clear financial plan.

​

Is financial advice worth the cost?

​

Good advice should provide more value than it costs, through better decisions, avoiding expensive mistakes and giving you greater confidence. Before you proceed, we clearly explain our fees and what we believe our advice can achieve for you.

​

How much does financial advice cost?

​

We believe good financial advice should be accessible, not reserved for the wealthy. While an initial financial plan in Australia typically costs circa $5,500, we deliberately keep our initial advice fees as low as possible, with a Statement of Advice starting from $2,200. The final cost depends on the advice you need, and we’ll give you a clear, fixed quote before you decide to proceed.

​

How much money do I need before seeing a financial adviser?

​

There is no magic minimum. Financial advice can be valuable when you are approaching retirement, changing careers, receiving an inheritance, managing debt or simply wanting to make better use of what you already have.  Having said that, the earlier you can recieve advice, the longer that advice has to grow.

​

Do you provide one-off or ongoing financial advice?

​

We provide both. You may need help with one particular decision, or you may prefer an ongoing relationship that keeps your financial plan on track as your life, goals and financial rules change.

 

What happens at the first meeting?

​

We talk about where you are now, what matters to you and what you would like your money to help you achieve. We’ll then explain whether we can help, what the process involves and what it will cost.

 

Can I afford to retire?

​

That depends on your desired lifestyle, spending, super, investments, debts and possible Centrelink entitlements. We can model your retirement income and show you how long your money may last under different scenarios.  In the meantime, you can visit our Am I On Track calculator.

​

How much money do I need to retire comfortably?

 

There is no single number that suits everyone. We start with the life you want to live, estimate what it will cost and calculate whether your available resources are likely to support it.  You will find some useful information here.

​

Should I contribute more to super or pay off my mortgage?

​

Both can improve your financial position, but the best choice depends on your age, tax rate, interest rate, access to money and retirement plans. We can compare the options and help you find the right balance.

​

How long will my retirement savings last?

​

We use detailed projections to estimate how your income, spending, investments and super may change throughout retirement. We can also test events such as market falls, higher spending, aged-care costs or living longer than expected.

​

Am I eligible for the Age Pension?

​

Eligibility depends on your age, residency and Centrelink’s income and assets tests. We can estimate your entitlement, explain how Centrelink may assess your circumstances and help you prepare your application.

​

Should I consolidate my super funds?

​

Consolidating can reduce fees and make your super easier to manage, but it is important to check your insurance, investment options and other benefits first. We can compare your funds before anything is changed.

​

Is an SMSF right for me?

​

An SMSF can offer greater control and flexibility, but it also brings additional costs, responsibilities and legal obligations. We can help you compare an SMSF with simpler alternatives and decide whether the benefits justify the work involved.

​

What happens to my super when I die?

​

Your super does not automatically form part of your estate or follow the instructions in your will. The outcome can depend on your beneficiaries, fund rules and death-benefit nomination, so it is important to plan ahead.

​

What if Smart Happy Money decides I don’t need financial advice?

​

We’ll tell you. Our job is to help you make a good decision, not to manufacture a reason for you to become a client.