This week, we're unpacking a real-world financial dilemma: one person's uneasy experience after being advised to move her super from a large industry fund into something she'd never heard of—a wrap account.

So… what exactly is a wrap? And when (if ever) should you consider one for your superannuation or investments?

Join me as I explain:

 * What wrap accounts are and how they work

 * The pros, cons, and costs compared to mainstream super funds

 * When wraps make sense—and when they don’t

 * How to spot potential conflicts of interest in financial advice

Whether you're nearing retirement or just trying to make sense of your investment options, this episode will give you the clarity to navigate wrap facilities with confidence.

 

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What is a Wrap and When Do They Make Sense?

It’s one of the most common retirement questions—how much super is enough? In this episode, we explore how to estimate your retirement needs based on lifestyle, spending habits, and travel plans. You'll walk away with practical tips to start shaping a retirement plan that actually fits you.

 

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General advice disclaimer [https://financialautonomy.com.au/general-advice-disclaimer/?__s=xxxxxxx]

How Much Super Do I Need?

With interest rates starting to fall, is there an opportunity to utilise the equity in your home for investment purposes and accelerate your wealth creation? It's something we're certainly evaluating with several of our clients, so I thought I'd share with you today our current thinking. 

 

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General advice disclaimer [https://financialautonomy.com.au/general-advice-disclaimer/?__s=xxxxxxx]

Is it Time to Use the Equity in your Home to Build Wealth?

When we head off on vacation we don't barrel off down the highway, pull up at some random point hours or days down the road, and camp out for the next fortnight. When we depart for our holiday, we know our destination. Clarity on the location of our holiday is essential so that we know what to pack, whether it's affordable, and whether we're likely to be happy when we get there. 

In a financial planning context, clarity as to your goals is the essential element for success. There are plenty of potential investment pathways that could be followed. Selecting the one that's right for you very much depends on the destination that you are hoping to arrive at. A suitable financial planning strategy for someone whose goal is to have the option of retirement at age 60 would look quite different to someone whose goal was to be able to work two days per week whilst their children were in primary school. 

So, when it comes to financial planning, goals are essential. But goals alone are not enough. There is one extra step that is required for success.

 

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Goals are Essential, but Don't Miss this Next Step

In this episode, we dive into the debate between active vs. passive management, exploring the claims made by fund managers during a recent teleconference. Is 2025 the year active management finally outperforms passive investments? With decades of data suggesting otherwise, we break down why the odds of success for active managers may not be in their favor—and why sticking with passive investments could still be the smarter choice for most investors. Tune in for insights into market trends, risk management, and the truth behind the numbers.

 

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Will Active Managers Ever Come Back?

Wanting to get your head around tax within the superannuation system makes total sense. Our savings accumulate in this regime, however there are restrictions on how we can access the money, and for the vast majority of us, we are forced to save into this vehicle. How does a government manage to force people to save? Sure they can legislate, but in a democratic society, that won't produce a lasting impact. The population needs to be on side, and simply being told it's for your own good isn't going to cut it. The carrot then, is tax concessions. 

 

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General Advice Disclaimer [https://financialautonomy.com.au/general-advice-disclaimer/?__s=xxxxxxx]

How Does Tax Apply to Your Super?

Despite the current low rate of unemployment, there seems to be a mini wave of redundancies in the middle and senior ranks of many companies at present.  

 

Experiencing redundancy can be a significant blow to your confidence. However, it's crucial to recognise that redundancy is rarely a reflection of your performance, skills, or dedication. More often than not, it results from shifts in the industry, changes within the company, or simply the natural structure of the workforce. Organizations evolve, and roles that were once essential may no longer fit within the new direction. 

 

While redundancy can bring about financial and emotional stress, including concerns about maintaining your lifestyle and finding new employment, it also presents opportunities. This transition can be the perfect moment to re-evaluate your career path and explore new possibilities that may have been out of reach before. Whether it’s pursuing a different career, starting your own business, or finding greater work-life balance, redundancy can serve as a catalyst for positive change. 

 

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Redundancy

With an awareness of the challenges of high hiouse prices and resultant large mortgages, intergenerational wealth transfers - in the form of early inheritances - are happening more and more. So if you find yourself in the fortunate position of receiving an early inhertance, what are the smart moves to put you and your family on the path to financial security, and appropriately honour the hard work that went into the generation of the wealth?

 

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General Advice Disclaimer [https://financialautonomy.com.au/general-advice-disclaimer/?__s=xxxxxxx]

The 4 Essentials When Receiving an Early Inheritance

Bitcoin has got a fresh wave of energy since Donald Trump's election win, and we've had quite a few questions from our clients. We are all susceptible to FOMO. Hopefully sharing these thoughts will help you decide what makes sense for you.

 

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Is it Time to Own Bitcoin?

Australia's superannuation system is undeniably complex, yet it plays a pivotal role in our financial lives. With compulsory contributions mandated by law, the system is designed to ensure that the age pension serves as a safety net for basic living expenses, rather than the primary source of retirement income. To achieve a comfortable retirement, understanding the mechanics of superannuation contributions is essential. 

 

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Superannuation Contribution Master Class

Plenty of books, podcasts and blogs focus on building wealth – and that’s great, as far as it goes. But focusing just on wealth misses the point. I believe what most of us actually want is to have choice. Choice in how much time we give to income-producing activities. Choice about what those income-producing activities are. Choice about where we live. Choice about when we retire. Choice about the ways we use our money to produce happiness. In the Financial Autonomy podcast, I explore the different ways you can gain choice - from investing in stocks to becoming self-employed, starting a side hustle, or buying an investment property. I share learnings I've gained working with clients for over 20 years as a Certified Financial Planner, and interview others with interesting insights or experiences in gaining choice in life.

Paul Benson

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