From uncertainty to confidence in 2.5 years
Working with Halpin Wealth, David and Helen were able to:
- Repay their $145,000 mortgage and become debt free
- Bring forward retirement by five years
- Remain in their family home throughout retirement
- Establish a sustainable long-term income strategy
- Strengthen their position for future wealth transfer to their son
Meet David and Helen
David (62) and Helen (57) sought advice from Halpin Wealth in 2023 as they began to think more seriously about retirement.
While they had built a solid foundation, they weren’t confident in their long-term financial position.
They had a $145,000 mortgage, a modest combined super balance, and were navigating a significant life change, with David unable to work due to disability.
As retirement approached, uncertainty was starting to build.
“We’d done our best over the years, but we just didn’t know if it was going to be enough,” Helen says.
“There was always that question in the back of our minds about what retirement would actually look like.”
They weren’t sure whether they would have enough to support themselves throughout retirement.
“We were starting to think selling the house and moving into a rental might be the only option,” David says.
“That was a difficult thing to come to terms with.”
Even with plans to sell the house, Helen expected she would need to continue working until age 70 to make their retirement viable.
Why they came to Halpin Wealth
David and Helen wanted to understand whether they could afford to retire sooner, whether they could keep their family home, and what steps they needed to take to feel more secure about the future.
Just as importantly, they were looking for greater clarity around their finances and more confidence in the decisions they were making day to day.
“It’s not uncommon for clients to be in this position,” Jordan says.
“They’ve done a lot of the right things, but without a clear structure, it’s hard to see what’s possible or how everything fits together.”
How we helped David and Helen
The focus was on bringing greater structure and clarity to David and Helen’s financial position, using what they already had more effectively rather than introducing unnecessary complexity.
A clear, step-by-step retirement plan was developed, giving them a practical path from their current position into retirement.
Their cash flow was reorganised to create more consistency and control, helping them feel more confident in their day-to-day decisions.
From there, the plan focused on reducing debt. By aligning their cash flow and overall financial position, they were able to prioritise and eliminate their $145,000 mortgage.
A retirement income strategy was also put in place to help manage market volatility and sequencing risk, while staying within their comfort level.
Their broader financial position was refined so that their assets, income and overall strategy were working together more effectively.
“There wasn’t a need to take on additional risk,” Jordan says.
“It was about creating structure, improving cash flow, and helping them make more confident decisions.”
The results
Over the last 2.5 years, the impact of these changes became clear.
David and Helen are now completely debt free, with their $145,000 mortgage fully repaid.
Helen is on track to retire at age 65, five years earlier than originally expected.
They have been able to retain their family home and are confident they can remain there throughout retirement, with plans to pass it on to their son.
Their superannuation is now structured to support a sustainable income throughout retirement.
Just as importantly, they now have the confidence to make financial decisions along the way.
“We feel like a weight has been lifted. Retirement used to worry us, now it’s something we can look forward to,” Helen says.
Helen is on track to retire at age 65, five years earlier than originally expected. (Image is for illustrative purposes)
Thinking about retirement?
If you’re approaching retirement and unsure what your current position means for your future, a clear plan can make all the difference.
At Halpin Wealth, we work with you to bring structure, clarity, and confidence to your financial decisions.
Book a no-cost, no-obligation conversation with one of our advisers and take the first step towards a clearer retirement plan. Contact us today.
This case study is for illustrative purposes only. The outcomes described are based on the clients’ circumstances, projections, assumptions and current legislation at the time of advice. Outcomes may vary depending on individual circumstances, market performance, legislative change and other factors. This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Please seek qualified financial advice before making financial decisions.