Stratus Financial Group

13/10/2026

The release of Australia's 2026 Intergenerational Report offers an interesting glimpse into the future, highlighting longer life expectancies, changing retirement patterns and the growing role of superannuation.

In our latest article, we explore what the 2026 Intergenerational Report could mean for Australian families, and why more families are moving beyond traditional inheritance planning towards a broader conversation about intergenerational wealth transfer.

The 2026 Intergenerational Report highlights changing retirement, housing and inheritance trends. Learn how family wealth planning can help future generations.

07/10/2026

Many Australians assume that the success of their retirement will largely depend on investment returns. While returns are certainly important, retirement outcomes can also be shaped by something far less obvious: when those returns occur.

This concept is known as sequencing risk and describes the impact that the order of investment returns can have once you begin drawing an income from your portfolio. A retiree who experiences a significant market downturn in the first few years of retirement may face a very different outcome to someone who encounters the same downturn much later, even if their long-term investment returns ultimately prove similar.

Consider Paul and Karen*, who retire at age 67 with approximately $850,000 in superannuation and their home paid off. Their spending goals broadly align with a comfortable retirement lifestyle, and like many retirees, their initial focus is on investment performance.

However, if one of them lives into their nineties, their retirement could span almost three decades and include multiple market cycles, changing legislation, evolving family priorities and potentially higher healthcare costs. Now imagine a significant market downturn occurs in the first few years of retirement. Rather than simply waiting for markets to recover, they may need to continue drawing income at the same time their investments have fallen in value, reducing the capital available to benefit from any future recovery.

This is one reason retirement planning looks different from investment planning.

Will your money last in retirement? More in our recent article here: https://stratusfinancialgroup.com.au/financialplanning/will-your-money-last-through-a-30-year-retirement

24/09/2026

A Will remains one of the most important documents in any estate planning strategy, but it is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Some assets pass under the direction of a Will, while others may be governed by entirely different rules. Superannuation, family trusts, jointly owned assets and beneficiary nominations can all influence how wealth moves between generations.

As wealth accumulates and family circumstances evolve, arrangements that were entirely appropriate ten or fifteen years ago may no longer reflect current objectives.

Regular reviews can help identify whether an estate plan continues to reflect an individual’s intentions and family circumstances.

More in our recent article here: https://stratusfinancialgroup.com.au/financialplanning/australia-has-no-inheritance-tax-so-why-might-your-family-receive-less/

22/09/2026

⚠️ A timely reminder to stay vigilant when it comes to your superannuation.

We are seeing increasingly convincing emails that appear to come from legitimate superannuation funds, encouraging recipients to click a link, complete an application, or transfer their superannuation.

The challenge is that these communications can look completely genuine, even when they relate to a super fund you have never joined or dealt with before.

If you receive an unexpected email about your superannuation:

✅ Take a moment before clicking any links
✅ Check whether the communication relates to a fund you actually hold
✅ Contact your adviser or the super fund directly using official contact details
✅ Seek advice if you are unsure

Cyber criminals continue to refine their tactics, making scam emails harder to identify. A healthy level of caution can help protect your retirement savings and personal information.

If something does not seem right, trust your instincts and seek professional guidance before taking action.

14/09/2026

💡 Will your money last through a 30-year retirement?

After decades of saving and investing, many people assume the hard part is over. Yet one of the biggest retirement challenges is not building wealth, but creating a sustainable income that can support your lifestyle for decades to come.

In this article, we explore two often-overlooked retirement risks: longevity risk and sequencing risk, and why they can have a significant impact on your financial future.

Click the link below to read more.

Retirement may last longer than you expect. Learn how longevity risk and sequencing risk can affect your income and financial confidence.

09/09/2026

⭐ We are delighted to share that Stratus Financial Group has been named the winner of the Fortnum Private Wealth Award for Practice of the Year (3+ Advisers).

We were thrilled to have James Marshall and Tran Quach in Vietnam to accept the award on behalf of the team. 🏆

Thank you to our clients for your ongoing trust and support. This achievement would not be possible without the confidence you place in us to help guide your financial decisions.

We would also like to recognise our entire team at Stratus. This award reflects the collective efforts of many people working towards a shared goal of delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.

03/09/2026

We are proud to share that Stratus Financial Group has been named a finalist in the Fortnum Private Wealth Awards, in the Practice of the Year (3+ Advisers) category.

Congratulations to our advisers, Brett Cribb, James Marshall and Steve Nicholas, and to the entire Stratus team. This recognition reflects the dedication, professionalism and care they bring to our clients every day.

We are honoured to be recognised as a finalist and proud to be part of the Fortnum community, a network of professionals committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for clients.

Congratulations to our fellow finalists, and we wish everyone the very best.

25/08/2026

Most people can estimate the value of their estate. Far fewer know how much their beneficiaries may actually receive.

While Australia does not have an inheritance tax, superannuation rules, tax legislation and asset ownership structures can all influence the wealth that ultimately reaches the next generation.

Our latest article explores why there is often a gap between the wealth people expect to leave behind and the legacy their family ultimately receives.

Read more below.

Most people spend decades building wealth. They establish careers, grow businesses, purchase homes, accumulate investments and contribute to superannuation with the intention of creating greater financial security for themselves and their families. What is discussed far less often is whether those a...

11/08/2026

We recently had the pleasure of hosting John, a QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Business student for a day at Stratus Financial Group as he explored financial planning as a career.

Supporting and mentoring the next generation of advisers is something we genuinely enjoy, and it was wonderful for our team to share insights into the profession. We wish John all the very best for the future.

03/08/2026

Helping adult children into the property market is becoming increasingly common, but how that support is structured can be just as important as the support itself.

More families are considering formal loan arrangements rather than outright gifts, particularly when assisting with a home deposit. A documented approach can provide clarity, support fairness between family members, align with broader estate planning objectives, and offer greater flexibility in the future.

It is a practical conversation that can have long-term implications for both generations.

More here in our latest article: https://stratusfinancialgroup.com.au/financialplanning/supporting-the-next-generation-property-gifting-and-family-wealth-planning