Talk Investing Podcast

Retirement planning rarely begins with a spreadsheet. It begins with a sinking feeling when you check your super and wonder if you’ve missed the window. We slow that panic down and start where it actually matters: getting clear on what retirement looks like for you in Australia, not as a vague dream, but as a real year of choices about travel, work, social life, cars, and whether downsizing is on the cards. When you can picture the life, you can price it.

From there, we get practical about budgeting for retirement. Most people don’t keep a budget, and even fewer want to revisit a year or two of spending, but that exercise turns guesswork into a plan. We talk through the old 70 to 75 per cent “rule of thumb” for retirement spending, why the early years can cost more than you expect, and how later spending often tapers off. We also bring in the ASFA Retirement Standard numbers as a useful benchmark for a comfortable retirement, and why inflation can’t be ignored.

We then tackle the harder edge of retirement advice: managing debt, what changes if you don’t own your home, and why renting in retirement can require more capital and more flexibility. Finally, we touch on emerging product solutions and why annuities are becoming part of the conversation again when the goal is longevity of income, even if it means less access to big lump sums. If you want more grounded retirement planning advice, subscribe, share this with someone who’s stressing about their super, and leave us a review. What’s the one retirement question you want answered next?

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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A flashy ad, a “free comparison”, a confident voice on the phone and suddenly your superannuation is heading into a self-managed super fund you never planned to run. That’s the real-world pattern behind recent AFCA decisions allowing some Australians to recover retirement savings after being steered into SMSFs through inappropriate financial advice.

Lisa Leong is joined by superannuation specialist Marco Mulato to walk through how these schemes can unfold step by step: the marketing hook, the promise of higher returns and “sophisticated investments”, and the push to roll over from a public offer fund that may already be a great fit. We talk about the moment where things get even riskier, when SMSF money is channelled into a narrow set of managed funds and then into illiquid assets like private equity and private debt. If you can’t sell when you need to pay a pension or change strategy, “good performance” can become meaningless fast.

We also dig into the practical lessons for everyday Australians. We share simple ways to tell whether you’re being advised in your best interests or being sold a product, what to look for in a trusted professional, and the self-check questions to ask before you take on SMSF trustee duties. Marco also addresses the life-stage reality: why many SMSFs get wound down later in life, and why complexity can become overwhelming.

If you care about protecting your retirement savings and making smarter super fund decisions, listen now, share this with a mate who’s been pitched an SMSF, and leave a review to help more Australians find the show.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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Is it possible to retire comfortably while still paying off a mortgage? In this episode, financial educator Marco Mellado explores one of the most common retirement questions facing Australians today: should you pay off your mortgage before retiring, or can you retire with debt and still achieve financial security?

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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A dentist offering “interest-free” payments sounds like a win, until the deal includes a caveat on your home. We unpack a real listener question about funding a major dental bill while living on a retirement income stream, and why the safest choice is not always the one that chases the best return in super. Along the way, we talk about short time horizons, market falls, and how quickly a clever plan can unravel when investments do what they do.

We also clear up some of the most common superannuation rules Australians trip over: when super withdrawals become tax-free after 60, what happens when you start a super pension income stream, and why the 0% tax rate in pension phase is one of the biggest benefits of retiring with super. We explain Transition to Retirement (TTR) pensions in plain language, covering what they are designed for and why they are usually more about cash flow than tax tricks.

Then we get into the investing side, including ethical investing inside super and the practical limits of fund disclosure, plus a lively debate on why some super funds automatically shift members into conservative or balanced options as they near retirement. Sequencing risk matters, but so does growth when retirement can run for 25 to 30 years. We discuss more flexible approaches like bucketing, beneficiary tax on super death benefits, missing employer contributions, and what to consider with downsizer contributions.

If you want clearer retirement planning, smarter super decisions, and fewer nasty surprises, press play. Subscribe, share this with a mate who’s approaching retirement, and leave us a review with the one super question you want answered next.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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September has a habit of spooking investors, and not always for silly reasons. We dig into the “September effect” and why share markets have often struggled from late August into September, then talk honestly about whether it’s causality or just a pattern we love to repeat. From US tax-year dynamics to the way people position portfolios after a strong run, we walk through the real-world forces that can push markets lower and ramp up volatility.

From there, we zoom out to what we’re seeing underneath the headlines: a change in market tone. When momentum tech cools off, money can rotate into defensive shares and high dividend names. With an election cycle in the US, a slowing global economy, and interest rates moving offshore, we explain why “rigging the boat for heavy weather” can be a sensible mindset, especially for Australians managing a self-managed super fund or a long-term investment portfolio.

We keep it practical: how to think about buying during weakness without trying to pick the bottom, why reinvesting dividends matters, and how ETFs can be a simple entry point. We break down ETF basics in plain language, run through examples like SFY and A200, and tackle listener questions on investing for kids and grandkids, diversification including equal weight ETFs, transferring shares with capital gains tax in mind, and the tricky maths of mortgage versus investing. If you want a clearer, calmer way to think about market seasonality, portfolio diversification, and ETF investing on the ASX, this one’s for you.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the next chat, share it with someone who’s worried about market dips, and leave us a review if it helped. What’s the one money decision you’re trying to make before the year is out?

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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One in four Australians may be missing superannuation payments and the numbers are brutal: billions of dollars in unpaid Super Guarantee in a single year. That’s not “nice to have” money. It’s your wages set aside for retirement, and if it’s not landing in your super fund, you lose the long-term compounding that makes super so powerful.

We dig into how unpaid super happens, why it’s more common in high-risk industries like construction, hospitality and retail, and why women, young workers, migrants and people in insecure work often wear the damage. We also get practical: how to confirm which fund your employer uses, how to pull a contributions history, and what to say when you suspect underpayment. We talk through the reality that super can be paid quarterly, why that timing hides problems, and how upcoming “payday super” reforms should make tracking easier.

From there we tackle the tricky edge cases listeners raise: casual and part-time entitlements, when a contractor with an ABN might still be treated like an employee, and what to do if the business is in administration or already wound up. We also cover employer penalties, the role of the ATO, the financial ombudsman and unions, and when legal advice becomes unavoidable. Plus a few extra money questions that came up, including Div 293 tax for high income earners and the classic dilemma of paying down debt versus investing a lump sum.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who’s starting a new job or working casual shifts, subscribe for more plain-English money guidance, and leave us a review so more Australians can find the show. What’s the one super question you want answered next?

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this episode, Marco Mellado breaks down Super Wraps, explaining how they work, who they’re designed for, and why they have become a popular option for investors seeking greater control over their retirement strategy without the complexity of a Self-Managed Super Fund.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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Total control over your super sounds empowering, right up until you realise you are also the trustee, the compliance manager and the last line of defence against mistakes. We sit down with superannuation specialist Marco Millardo to unpack what self-managed super funds (SMSFs) really are, why Australians set them up, and why plenty of people later decide to wind them down.

We talk through the practical stuff most brochures skip: typical set-up and running costs, why fixed admin and audit fees can hurt smaller balances, and how SMSF insurance often lacks the buying power of group cover in an industry fund. We also dig into the unglamorous reality of being responsible for every decision and every signature, plus the growing risk of scams and illegal early access when you control the bank account.

Listener questions take us into the tricky corners: rolling an SMSF into another fund, managing “lumpy” assets like property, paying expenses correctly, and coping with minimum pension drawdown rules as you age. Marco also explains why defined benefit super funds can be worth their weight in gold, what to think about before giving one up, how SMSF borrowing works via an LRBA, and the tax traps that can hit adult children through non-dependent death benefit tax.

If you are weighing up an SMSF, already running one, or wondering when it is time to simplify, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a mate who loves spreadsheets, and leave us a review with your biggest SMSF question.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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Your super balance can feel like a scoreboard you’re losing, especially when you look at the statement and think, how did it get this low? We tackle that exact problem with a clear, practical chat about concessional contributions and the smartest ways Australians can top up super legally, efficiently, and with less tax pain. We also keep it real: everything is general information, so you still need to weigh up your own circumstances.

We walk through what counts as a concessional contribution (employer Superannuation Guarantee, salary sacrifice, and personal contributions you claim as a tax deduction) and why that 15% contributions tax can be a big advantage. Then we dig into catch-up concessional contributions, also known as carry-forward concessional contributions, which can let you contribute above the usual annual cap by using unused cap space from previous years. It’s especially handy after a capital gain, a bonus, or a strong business year, but we’re clear on the fine print: the $500,000 total super balance threshold at 30 June and the five-year rolling limit.

Next we unpack a strategy most people don’t even know exists: contribution splitting between spouses. We explain how it works, when it lands in the other account, and why equalising balances can help with planning for retirement, insurance inside super, and even Centrelink considerations when one partner is younger. Listener questions take us into the tricky part everyone argues about: when you can access super, what changes at 60 versus 65, and why retiring early means you need assets outside super to bridge the gap.

If you want more confidence heading into end of financial year planning and a clearer retirement planning Australia roadmap, hit play, follow the show, share it with a mate who’s stressed about super, and leave us a review. What’s the one super rule you still find confusing?

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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Superannuation gets talked about like it’s one big investment, but that misunderstanding leads to bad decisions, especially as you get closer to retirement. We go back to the basics and explain super the simplest way: it’s not the investment itself, it’s the structure you use to own investments. Once you see it that way, the rules around tax, access, and strategy start to make a lot more sense.

We dig into the real reason Australian superannuation is so compelling for retirement planning: tax concessions. We talk through how earnings in super are generally taxed at 15%, why capital gains can be taxed even lower, and why governments design systems like this to help more people become self-funded in retirement and reduce pressure on the Age Pension. Then we tackle the trade-off that trips people up most, access, including preservation age, retiring, and the moment you turn 65 when access opens up regardless of whether you keep working.

From there we work through listener questions that bring the rules to life. What happens to your Centrelink Age Pension if you take money out via a reverse mortgage and use it to buy land? When does an asset become your principal place of residence again for means testing? Can you withdraw super at 65 to pay off the mortgage, and how do you think about what’s left to fund the rest of your life? We also unpack transition to retirement pensions for people still working in their early 60s, and the difference between accumulation phase and pension phase, including why pension phase can mean tax-free investment earnings and how “recycling” withdrawals may keep money inside the super environment.

If you want clearer superannuation basics, smarter retirement income planning, and fewer nasty surprises with Centrelink and tax, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a mate who’s confused about super, and leave us a review so more Australians can find the show.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Send us Fan Mail

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