Runway to Retirement

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 14.

In this second part of his superannuation series, Rob McGregor continues unpacking how to evaluate whether you’re in the right super fund, this time using a real-world example. Rob walks through his step-by-step LEADER framework (List, Evaluate, Analyse, Decide, Execute, Review) and applies it to a detailed case study comparing QSuper to a low-cost index alternative.

He explains what to look for in performance, fees, transparency, and communication, and why even small differences in returns can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. You’ll also hear why some big industry funds have become less efficient as they’ve grown, what hidden risks to watch out for, and how to identify funds that are truly focused, intentional, and targeted to your goals.

It’s a practical, eye-opening episode that shows how a bit of analysis can turn “average” super into something far more powerful for your retirement.

Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video): https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 15.

In this episode, Rob McGregor takes a deep look at one of the most common questions in retirement planning: how much capital do you actually need for a good retirement. You may have heard of the 4 percent rule, a guideline that suggests you can withdraw 4 percent of your invested money each year and have it last for 30 years. Rob explains where the rule came from, how it works, and most importantly, when it is helpful and when it completely falls apart.

Drawing on long term market data, real numbers and the same calculators he uses with private clients, Rob shows why your ideal withdrawal rate depends on your investment approach, your risk comfort, and your goals. He compares conservative, balanced and growth portfolios and reveals how changing your investment assumptions can increase or reduce the amount of income you can safely draw over decades.

It is a practical and eye opening conversation that moves past simple rules of thumb and helps you think confidently about what you will need to fund the retirement you want.

Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video): https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 14.

In this episode, Rob McGregor continues our deep dive into selling assets as you approach retirement. If you listened to last week’s episode, you will remember we explored the big reasons people sell and how timing, tax and cash flow can influence your decisions.

This episode takes the next step. Rob works through a brand new case study that introduces several extra layers including age differences, the impact of Centrelink, and how downsizer contributions can be used to create better cash flow and more financial flexibility.

You will see how the right sequence of actions can reduce tax, increase super balances and even help you qualify for benefits you may not have thought possible.

It is a practical continuation of last week’s episode and shows how smart structuring can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to your long term outcome.

Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video): https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 13.

In this episode, Rob McGregor explores one of the biggest decisions many people face as they approach retirement, whether and when to sell assets.

Drawing on real case studies and decades of experience, Rob explains the key reasons people sell investments near retirement; paying off debt, simplifying life, freeing up income, or getting more into super. He shares how timing, tax, and structure can make a major difference to your financial outcome, and why selling strategically can sometimes add hundreds of thousands to your long-term position.

You’ll also hear how to use Rob’s LEADER framework to make confident, well-timed decisions about selling property, shares, or business assets, and how to link every move back to your broader retirement plan.

It’s a thoughtful and practical look at one of the most important (and emotional) financial choices you’ll make on your way to retirement.

Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video): https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 12.

In this episode, Rob McGregor explains why index funds have become one of the most powerful and reliable tools for long-term investing.

He breaks down how they work, why they often outperform active fund managers, and what makes them such a simple, low-cost way to grow your super and retirement savings.

Rob also explores when it might make sense to blend index funds with other strategies and how to check whether your current super investments are truly performing as well as they should.

Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement.

Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video): https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality: https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 11!

In this episode, Rob McGregor explores whether you should prioritise paying off your mortgage as you approach retirement. He explains how the best choice depends on your personal situation, interest rates, recent market returns, and tax considerations. Rob breaks down simple frameworks and real-life case studies to help you understand when paying off debt is a smart move versus investing more in super or other opportunities. Learn how to weigh guaranteed returns from mortgage repayment against potential investment growth and discover strategies like debt recycling. Tune in for practical advice to make confident decisions about managing your money as retirement nears.

Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video):

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

🚀 COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 10!

In this episode, Rob McGregor discusses the unpredictable life events that often disrupt retirement plans, like caring for pets, aging parents, and supporting adult children. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience, he shares real-life stories that highlight the importance of flexibility and contingency in retirement planning. Rob emphasises regularly reviewing and adapting your plan to accommodate life’s surprises, ensuring you can maintain your lifestyle and financial security despite the unexpected twists retirement can bring.

Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video):

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

🚀 COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 9!

In this episode, Rob takes a deep look at seven major concerns surrounding industry super funds in Australia, acknowledging their important role since the introduction of compulsory super but highlighting emerging risks as they grow larger and more complex. He discusses issues including the funds’ increasing size leading to complacency, governance challenges with union-linked boards, the opacity of private asset valuations, and the potential dangers of expanding private credit investments. Rob points out that many new members may be unknowingly overpaying for assets due to valuation smoothing and warns about a lack of transparency that makes it difficult to fully understand where funds are invested. With industry super funds merging underperforming funds to hide poor results and relying on long-term averages, he encourages listeners to critically review their super strategies and demands greater accountability from fund managers to protect members’ retirement savings.

Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video):

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

🚀 COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast, Episode 8!

In this episode, Rob explores the crucial but often overlooked transition from work to retirement how to thoughtfully replace the purpose, meaning, and social connections that many derive from their careers. Drawing from his 25+ years of experience, he shares practical frameworks and real-life examples to help retirees plan a fulfilling and happy life beyond finances alone. You’ll learn how to assess your current sources of purpose and connection, set meaningful goals, and design a retirement lifestyle that suits your personality and relationships. Whether it’s finding new hobbies, volunteering, family, or embracing learning and travel, this episode guides you to create a retirement that truly enriches your quality of life.

 Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video):

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

🚀 COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.

Welcome back to the Runway to Retirement Podcast!

In this episode, Rob explores a range of ways Australians can generate $100,000 per year in retirement, comparing the capital required for strategies like Australian or international shares, residential and commercial property, diversified portfolios, cash, and combinations that include Age Pension, reverse mortgages, or rental income from a family home. He explains how investment returns, legacy goals, and starting assets all shape the best approach and highlights that there’s no single answer, just a need for clear planning tailored to individual circumstances. Practical examples, pros and cons, and tips for getting started make this a must-listen for anyone mapping out their own retirement runway.

 Each Week Runway to Retirement will be exploring what it means for your journey toward a secure and enjoyable retirement. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already on your way, we’re here to share insights and perspectives to help you feel more confident about your future.

Learn more on our website:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au

Download our free guide The 5 Essential Steps to an Awesome Retirement here (bonus walkthrough video):

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/5ESARChecklist

The How Much Calculator - Every Financial Plan Starts by Looking Ahead. Access our How Much Calculator to identify your income needs in retirement and the assets you would need to make this a reality:

https://www.runwaytoretirement.com.au/howmuchworkshop

🚀 COMING SOON – Build Your Financial Plan Over a Weekend. Leverage smart strategies for your unique situation, retire with confidence and style.