ASAP Financial Advising

06/10/2026

7 Things to Know About How Centrelink Treats Your Super

When it comes to retirement planning, one of the biggest surprises is that Centrelink does not always treat your super the same way.

Here are 7 things worth knowing 👇

1️⃣ Super can be exempt before Age Pension age

If your super is still in accumulation phase and you’re under Age Pension age, it may not be counted under Centrelink’s means tests.

2️⃣ Reaching Age Pension age can change the treatment

Once you reach Age Pension age, super still held in accumulation phase will generally become assessable.

3️⃣ Your spouse’s age can matter too

For couples, super held by a spouse who is under Age Pension age may still be exempt while it remains in accumulation phase.

4️⃣ Account-based pensions are generally counted

Once super moves into an account-based pension, it is generally assessable under Centrelink’s rules.

5️⃣ Centrelink often applies deeming rules

For many retirement income streams, Centrelink may use deeming rules to work out assessable income rather than simply looking at how much you withdraw.

6️⃣ The rules can change

Centrelink settings, thresholds and deeming rules can change over time, so it’s important to stay up to date.

7️⃣ More super doesn’t always mean a better Centrelink outcome

The outcome can depend on how your super is structured, your age, and your partner’s age.

💡 The Bigger Picture

Two retirees with similar levels of wealth can have very different Centrelink outcomes depending on who owns the super, who has reached Age Pension age, and whether the money is in accumulation phase or pension phase.

Understanding these rules can make a real difference when planning for retirement.

👉 For more retirement insights, visit www.asapfinancialadvising.com.au

This information is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial advice. Centrelink and superannuation rules may change over time. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances and seek personal financial advice before acting on it.

29/09/2026

👵 7 Things to Know About the Age Pension

The Age Pension can be an important part of retirement income for many Australians — but the rules can sometimes feel a little complicated.

Here are 7 useful things to know if you’re approaching retirement or already receiving the Age Pension.

1️⃣ Age Pension age is currently 67

For people born on or after 1 January 1957, Age Pension age is 67. You’ll also need to satisfy other eligibility requirements, including residency and means testing.

2️⃣ You can start your claim before you turn 67

You don’t necessarily need to wait until your birthday. An Age Pension claim can generally be lodged up to 13 weeks before reaching Age Pension age, which can help avoid unnecessary delays if you’re eligible.

3️⃣ Centrelink looks at both your income AND your assets

The Age Pension is means tested. Centrelink applies both an income test and an assets test, with the test producing the lower entitlement generally determining how much pension is payable.

Importantly, being over the threshold for a full pension doesn’t necessarily mean you receive nothing — you may still qualify for a part Age Pension.

4️⃣ Your family home is generally not counted as an asset

For Age Pension purposes, your principal home is generally exempt from the assets test, regardless of its value.

That means two retirees with the same overall net wealth can sometimes have very different Centrelink outcomes depending on how their wealth is structured.

5️⃣ Centrelink doesn’t simply use the interest your investments actually earn

Many financial investments — including cash, bank accounts, shares, managed funds and most account-based pensions — are assessed using deeming rules.

Centrelink effectively assumes those financial assets earn a prescribed rate of income, regardless of the income actually received.

This is one reason the Centrelink assessment of your retirement finances can look quite different from your tax return.

6️⃣ Continuing to work doesn’t automatically mean losing your Age Pension

The Work Bonus can reduce the amount of eligible employment income counted under the Age Pension income test.

Eligible pensioners currently accrue a $300 Work Bonus each fortnight, with unused amounts able to build up to a maximum Work Bonus balance of $11,800. New eligible pensioners can also begin with a $4,000 starting balance.

7️⃣ Be careful assuming that giving money away will automatically improve your Age Pension

You’re free to give away as much as you like, but Centrelink has specific gifting rules.

The current gifting free areas are $10,000 in one financial year and $30,000 over five financial years. Amounts above those limits can continue to be counted under the assets test and deemed under the income test for five years.

💡 The bigger picture

Centrelink is only one part of retirement planning. Your superannuation, investments, home, employment income and the position of your spouse can all interact with the Age Pension rules.

Understanding how everything fits together can make retirement feel a lot clearer.

At ASAP Financial Advising, we help people across the Hawkesbury and Western Sydney understand their retirement position and build a plan around the retirement they want.

👉 www.asapfinancialadvising.com.au

General information only. This post does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Centrelink rules, rates and thresholds can change. Consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and seek personalised advice where required.

11/09/2026

💪 951 steps completed for a very important cause.

Ralph recently took on the Firies Climb for MND 2026 at Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, climbing 951 steps to help raise funds for motor neurone disease research.
It was a tough climb, but also a great reminder of how fortunate we are to have our health — and how devastating MND can be for the people and families affected by it.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported Ralph, donated, shared the fundraiser or simply sent through some encouragement. It was very much appreciated. ❤️

And of course, having the family there at the finish made it even more special.

We’re proud to support an event doing such important work and helping fund research through the Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre at Macquarie University.

10/08/2026

🏛️ Worked for a NSW council for many years and starting to think about retirement?

If you’re a member of the Active Super Retirement Scheme, your super can work quite differently from a standard accumulation super account — and there can be some important decisions to make as retirement gets closer.

Questions we’re increasingly helping people work through include:

• When can I afford to retire?
• What might my retirement benefit be?
• Should I change my contributions before retirement?
• What happens to my benefit when I leave work?
• How do I turn a large super benefit into a reliable income in retirement?
• How should those funds be invested once I retire?

At ASAP Financial Advising, we specialise in helping everyday people across the Hawkesbury and Western Sydney prepare for retirement. We’re also developing particular experience helping members of the Active Super Retirement Scheme understand how their benefit fits into their bigger retirement picture.

The goal is simple: to give you greater clarity around your options and confidence in deciding when — and how — you can retire.

If you have an Active Super Retirement Scheme benefit and retirement is getting closer, we’d be happy to have a chat. 😊

👉 www.asapfinancialadvising.com.au

21/07/2026

💙 Supporting a cause that matters.

Our Principal Financial Adviser, Ralph Taylor, is once again lacing up his shoes to support a cause close to the hearts of many Australians.

This year, Ralph is taking on the Firies Climb for MND 2026, tackling the Furber Stairs in the Blue Mountains to help raise funds for the incredible research being undertaken at the Motor Neurone Disease Research Centre at Macquarie University.

Motor Neurone Disease is a devastating condition that changes lives in ways most of us can't imagine. While the climb will certainly be challenging, it's nothing compared to the challenges faced every day by people living with MND and the families who support them.

At ASAP Financial Advising, we're passionate about helping people build better futures. Supporting our local community and worthwhile causes is another way we hope to make a positive difference.

If you'd like to support Ralph and this important cause, we'd be incredibly grateful for a donation of any size. If you're unable to donate, sharing this post is another wonderful way you can help.

Together, we can help bring us one step closer to a world without MND. 💙

👉 https://firiesclimbformnd.org.au/page/RalphTaylor

07/07/2026

💪🏃 Congratulations to our Principal Financial Adviser, Ralph Taylor, on completing his very first HYROX Sydney!

Many people ease into HYROX by tackling a doubles event first. Ralph decided to jump straight into the Men's Open singles race instead.

To make things even more challenging, he spent the week recovering from a cold. While he didn't quite achieve the finish time he'd trained for, he was absolutely thrilled to cross the line in 2:12:53 and experience his first HYROX event.

Life doesn't always go exactly to plan.

Whether it's training for a race or planning for retirement, setbacks and unexpected challenges are part of the journey. The important thing is having a plan, adapting when circumstances change, and continuing to move towards your goals.

That's exactly how we approach retirement planning with our clients. We can't control everything life throws at us, but together we can build a plan that's designed to adapt and keep you moving towards the retirement you want.

If you're wondering whether you're on track for retirement, we'd love to help.

👉 www.asapfinancialadvising.com.au

02/07/2025

🌱 Thinking about retirement? You're not alone — and you don’t have to do it alone.

Whether retirement is just around the corner or still a few years away, the best time to start planning is right now. From working out when to retire, to understanding how much you'll need, and how your super fits into the picture — we’re here to help you connect the dots.

At ASAP Financial Advising, we specialise in retirement planning for everyday Australians — nurses, tradies, admin professionals and more — helping you retire with clarity, confidence and peace of mind.

📍 Based in Richmond, we work with people across the Hawkesbury and surrounding areas of Western Sydney.

👉 Ready to get started? Visit www.asapfinancialadvising.com.au or send us a message today.

26/09/2024

🌸✨ Exciting news from the ASAP Financial Advising team! ✨🌸

We are overjoyed to share that Emma and Ralph have welcomed their beautiful daughter, Abigail (Abby), born on September 24th! Both Emma and Abby are healthy and doing well. 💕

Thank you to everyone for your continued support—it means the world to our family and team. We can’t wait for Abby to make her first visit to the office! 🍼💖

20/09/2024

👩‍⚕️ Calling all nurses approaching retirement!

After decades of service, it’s time to think about your next chapter. At ASAP Financial Advising, we’ve had the privilege of helping nurses like you prepare for a comfortable and secure retirement. We understand the challenges you face and how hard you’ve worked to care for others. Now, let us help you take care of your financial future.

Whether you’re looking to maximise your super, set up pensions, or explore other retirement options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way—just like you’ve done for so many.

📞 Reach out for a consultation and start planning the retirement you deserve.

Visit our website to learn more: www.asapfinancialadvising.com.au

03/09/2024

🌟 Support Ralph in Run for the Hills! 🌟

Our Principal Financial Planner, Ralph, is lacing up his shoes once again - this time for a great cause! He's taking on the 10.2 km cross-country circuit at Bella Vista Farm to raise money for Youth Off The Streets.

Youth Off The Streets does incredible work supporting disadvantaged young people in our communities. We're thrilled to be part of this effort, and we're asking for your support!

Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. Click the link below to contribute and cheer Ralph on as he runs to make a positive impact! 🏃‍♂️🎉

Registrations are now open for the 2024 Run for the Hills. Sunday 8 September @ Bella Vista Farm.