Financial
Roadmap
A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.
17 May, 2018
How to Achieve a Healthy Retirement Income
First Financial Team
The fundamentals
We all want a happy, stress-free retirement.
Ensuring you have sufficient income is fundamental to delivering that goal.
But working out whether or not you have enough to last you the rest of your life can often be confusing and stressful.
Make a plan
Preparing a financial plan for retirement is key to ensuring your money lasts. It’s critical you review your financial status to see where there are gaps and opportunities. And to gain the reassurance of knowing how much money you have now and how much you may need in the future.
A plan takes into account your current financial position, including your assets and liabilities, as well as your insurance protection and accumulated super. It optimises your savings, investments and superannuation so that it can deliver against your short and long-term goals.
Work with an adviser
It’s easy to ask the questions about your retirement, but doing the work to get the answers you need is more complicated.
You might be time poor, managing debt, on a good income but unsure if you’re putting enough away and are on the right track.That’s where talking to a financial adviser is invaluable.
A trusted professional will help you articulate your goals as well as take a detailed look at your current situation and financial position.
Your adviser will explain the risks and potential returns of various investment strategies and hone in on where your level of comfort lies.
Be flexible
Your lifestyle will change as you age and your retirement plan needs to reflect that. You may want to tick those holiday destinations off your bucket list first.
Downsizing from the family home might be a priority. Further down the track moving into a retirement village could be on the cards. Think about how you might finance the different stages in your retirement.
A financial plan will ensure there’s enough to cover unexpected expenses too. It will set you firmly on track for a comfortable and confident retirement.
A long haul approach
A good adviser is with you for the long-haul. Throughout your retirement its important to plan and be responsive. The later years of retirement are just as important to prepare for as the first few. And your adviser will continue to work with you through those years.
Your income needs to last, and for that your plan should be dynamic. If markets take a downward hit, it’s good to know your adviser is there to assess and analyse any change and adjust your plan accordingly.
And when legislative or tax changes happen, that your adviser will explain the jargon and adapt your portfolio for maximum advantage.
Get advice early
Don’t wait too long before you seek help.
The earlier you start planning for a healthy retirement income, the greater the opportunities to accumulate wealth along the way.
By taking control of your finances and working with a financial adviser, you will also control the financial success of your retirement.
Get in touch and take control of your retirement today. Read more Retirement Planning articles.
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CLIENT STORY
Lyn
Life Stage:
Retired widow
Background:
Lyn stepped into financial management for the first time after her husband's passing. With patience and care, First Financial supported her through grief, learning, and empowerment.
- Had never managed finances before
- Was overwhelmed after her husband’s passing
- Needed plain-English explanations and patience
- Sought emotional support and practical clarity
- Offered caring, respectful advice at her pace
- Rebuilt confidence with diagrams, stories, and reassurance
- Supported gradual decision-making around retirement
- Remained a trusted constant through major transitions
“After my husband passed, I was completely unsure where to start. First Financial gave me the space to learn, to ask questions, to grow confident. They drew a diagram that I still have. And now, I sleep well at night knowing I’ve got someone in my corner.”
CLIENT STORY
Tim and Adam
Life Stage:
Early retirement and working professional
Background:
When Tim received an overseas medical settlement, he and Adam had just 14 days left in a 90-day window. They needed clear guidance, fast. A referral led them to First Financial.
- Only two weeks left to meet urgent legal and financial deadlines
- Wanted to preserve capital while setting up income for the future
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- Hoped to find advice that felt personal, not transactional
- Managed every moving piece, from legal documents to super rollovers
- Designed a strategy that supported both Tim’s retirement and Adam’s career
- Offered clear guidance with steady follow-through, with no stress or pressure
- Built in ethical investing and flexibility, without sacrificing performance
“We’re in totally different life stages, but First Financial built a strategy that supports us both. From urgent legal steps to ethical investing, they handled every detail with calm, care, and real expertise. It’s financial freedom without compromise, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
CLIENT STORY
John
Life Stage:
Retired business owner
Background:
After decades of running a successful pharmacy, John sought financial guidance to simplify decision-making and support long-term planning.
- Navigated the sale of a long-held business
- Wanted simple, honest advice after burnout
- Needed a hands-on adviser he could talk to
- Desired financial guidance aligned with lifestyle goals
- Crafted a strategy that supports relaxed, post-work life
- Offered approachable, plain-English advice
- Maintained an ongoing, trustworthy relationship
- Provided flexibility with investments and cash flow
“I feel genuinely supported by First Financial. I can ask anything, and there’s no pressure, just clear advice and real care. The money’s growing, I’m not stressed about it, and I feel completely at ease for the first time. I don’t miss work, but I’d miss the support I get from First Financial.”
CLIENT STORY
Jan
Life Stage:
Retired
Background:
Jan's husband managed the finances until entering aged care. Jan gradually stepped into the financial picture with First Financial’s support.
- Needed financial guidance after business sale
- Lacked experience managing complex finances
- Sought consistent income and long-term structure
- Wanted a familiar, reliable relationship
- Provided long-term support through several transitions
- Helped structure income reliably for retirement
- Empowered Jan through education and reassurance
- Delivered calm advice through both grief and growth
“The money just comes in. I don’t have to think about it. And I know they’re always there. They’ve always been there in the background, just quietly making things work.”
CLIENT STORY
Larry and Virginia
Life Stage:
Newly retired
Background:
As retirement neared, Larry and Virginia were ready to enjoy travel, family, and freedom, without uncertainty. A friend recommended First Financial, and from the first meeting, they had a clear plan, a safety net, and people they trusted.
- Wanted to travel and enjoy retirement without second-guessing finances
- Needed a structured income plan with buffers for the unexpected
- Valued guidance that felt honest and human, not overcomplicated
- Needed people they could call and count on
- Created a reliable income stream with a set-aside safety net for the unexpected
- Gave them the freedom to travel and spend meaningfully with family
- Kept advice simple, thoughtful, and tailored to what mattered to them
- Built a lasting partnership based on trust
“We’ve travelled the world, Europe, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, without once stressing about the money. They made everything feel simple and gave us the confidence to live well. We feel secure because we know exactly where we stand, and that peace of mind means everything.”
CLIENT STORY
Graeme and Craig
Life Stage:
Retired and semi-retired
Background:
Referred by friends helped through aged care, Craig sought secure financial guidance after inheriting funds.
- Invest inheritance securely without high risk
- Maintain a modest lifestyle with confidence
- Building trust for someone new to advice
- Accessible, personalised advice
- Provided a low-risk strategy with regular income
- Reassured with steady, market-aware updates
- Established trust through responsiveness and warmth
- Delivered calm, expert support through all transitions
“We feel very secure with First Financial, the income just comes in, and we know everything is being looked after. It’s not just safe, it’s smart. We’ve recommended them to others because we genuinely believe in the team.”
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