08 Jun When should I talk to a financial adviser?

I’ve seen a lot of Australians over the years after the fact. By this I mean I’ve seen clients after they have made the decision or commitment to invest or buy or go down a particular avenue, or after they have an illness which precludes them from getting insurance.  It raised the question for me, when should you be seeing your adviser? In the office we feel that every one to two years for existing clients to have a review meeting is sufficient. This can be extended or shortened as needed. For example, if you are  closer to retirement or are being offered a work redundancy you may decide to come and see us more often during that period so we can work out the details. Over this period we will end up seeing you and or talking to you more often  as the information on your circumstances unfolds. 

But as a general starting point let’s look at some other crucial events.

1. On entering the workforce and after serving out your probationary period

Reason: This may require only an initial meeting. We would discuss savings plans, goals and possibly protect that income with personal insurances. Setting up appropriate investments in superannuation will be a starting point also. We may discuss compound interest and how your age is your best investment asset of all. It may be several more years before another meeting is required.

2. Buying a home or some other major financial commitment

Reason: you may wish to protect your earning capacity against loss of income through illness or injury. You may have a loan that your parents have gone guarantor for you that needs to be protected. You may have received a physical loan from your folks that need to be protected. Talk to an adviser to get the right advice.

3. Getting married or divorced

Reason: Either of these will either work to create long-term wealth foundations or very quickly erode any wealth that has been created. Marriage brings a commitment to care for one another. Insurances need to be reviewed and plans made. Divorce will require a separation of assets. It may mean that you are each seeking separate financial advise. This has far-reaching consequences for your existing insurances to superannuation to any joint assets you may have held. It’s starting again but with the emotional scars.

4. Having children

Reason: too many to mention here. Increases in insurances and planning for schooling are a few. It may see one of you out of the workforce for a period and so cash flow may be constrained. You may need to review your coverage and your goals and review funding options.

5. Receiving a redundancy

Reason: whilst the options around redundancy are more limited these days there is still many considerations you must analyse. This is something best advised upon with the assistance of your accountant. Future tax obligations on these funds will be a major consideration but your superannuation, insurances and all the factors of changing jobs, retirement all come into play.

7. Changing employers 

Reason: you need to consider superannuation, insurances that were attached to super and what the new benefits shall be of the new super provider. Do insurance policies need to be reviewed, where is your super ” moved to” on ceasing employment. Your new employer will need details as to where to pay super contributions.If you have had a pay rise where will the extra income be directed?8. Making a decision to start an SMSF. Reason | Too many to mention. The ATO is actively involved in the monitoring of SMSF’s. Are you setting it up for the right reasons, are you up to date on your trustee obligations. What about your investment strategy? How will you deal with assets on the passing of a member? The list goes on and on. In short, get advice.

9. TAX minimisation through super or negative gearing

Reason: You need to be clear on what you can and can not do. You need to be aware of the risks and the opportunity costs of one strategy over another. In short, get advice. 

10. Planning for retirement factoring in debt repayment and saving

Reason: How much will you need in retirement, when can you retire, what will it look like? Will you have debt when you retire or will you have cleared it? How will your assets be structured in the years leading up to retirement? Will you need to review your asset allocation, be a bit more defensive, before retirement? If you are looking to restructure assets we lik eto do this around 3-5 years before you retire. Do you remember the GFC, well we do. Get advice. 

11. 5 years prior to retirement

Reason: I thought this worth mentioning twice.  To ensure that your assets are apportioned between defensive and growth to mitigate any short-term market fluctuations.

12. At retirement

Reason: This is when we convert pensions, commence income streams and budget returns.

13. Any time your health takes a serious turn for the worst

Reason: pre-retirement we would like to think you had insurances in place and post-retirement there may be restructuring we need to attend to especially with super. We would do this with the assistance of your legal professional.

14. When mental capacity starts to fade

Reason: This is a sensitive subject but one that must be addressed, usually with a lawyer but definitely with your adviser and accountant. Loss of mental capacity carries so many issues and so this needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

15. On passing of a spouse

Reason: the transfer of assets, the changes of SMSF trustee details and assets. The consideration of the appropriateness of any plans you had made whilst your spouse was alive especially in relation to such things as gifting assets or disposing of assets these all need to be reconsidered.

16. On the passing of your last surviving parent

Reason: all too often clients come to us after they have received the proceeds of any estate. Sometimes, it can be better to retain those assets from the estate. Having a chat with us on the passing of your mum or dad may help to better consider how those assets should be passed on.

17. Anytime you are gifting assets to children or family

Reason: consider the tax consequences of any assets being sold. Consider the asset protection considerations of your child’s future spouse or significant other that could inadvertently get access to this loan. Ultimately you will need a solicitor for this part but your adviser can recognise any other issues that shall need to be attended to.

18.  Receiving a share option incentive bonus

Reason: these can be a two-edged sword. Whilst these can seem like all of your Christmases have come at once they can be notorious tax traps. Contracts are complex and tax consequences are not fully explained. As a closing warning on this topic, you may find yourself responsible for tax on money that you have not even received yet! Sound unfair, that’s the ATO. Ultimately a lawyer will give you contractual advice but your adviser can recount issues to be aware of. Get advice.