Financial Independence
Financial Independence
Financial Independence
Financial Independence
What is it? How much is needed? How can I achieve it?
Super strategies
We will be covering …
What is financial independence? Investment options
How much is needed? Making contributions into super
How can I achieve it? Drawing an income from super
What are some common strategies? Withdrawing funds from super
The superannuation system Super strategies
Consolidating your super
You need to be able to …
1. Explain the concepts of financial independence and FIRE
2. Calculate long-term goal of funds required for financial independence
3. Model a saving plan required to achieve your long-term goal
4. Identify the common strategies for achieving financial independence
5. Explain the basic features of the superannuation system
6. Explain how to make contributions into super (and tax implications)
7. Explain how to draw an income from super (and tax implications)
8. Explain how to make withdrawals from super
9. Identify and explain some common super strategies
General Advice Warning
The content of this Unit is not personal financial advice for you
It covers general principles
… taught as part of university course based on the Australian system.
Subtitles
… for your personal circumstances. Playback Speed
Closed Captions Slower Faster
Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter (1997), Rich Dad Poor Dad
The Pie and Financial Independence
pie is your
Your
1
total income Plan to be
each month
Generous
2 3
Plan for Plan to be
the Future Content
and what you do with it!
Assets
Investment − Liabilities
Income = Equity
Living
Expenses
Why not just use the term ‘retirement’?
RETIREMENT
RETIREMENT
Problems with the term ‘retirement’
1. Negative associations of ‘being old’ and ‘useless’
2. Feels like a long way off for people below the age of 45
3. … so you don’t need to think about it or plan for it until 50+
4. Sounds like you are not doing any ongoing paid work
5. Sounds like you are not doing any ongoing unpaid work
Benefits of the term ‘financial independence’
1. Positive associations of ‘freedom’ and ‘self-direction’
2. It is ‘age agnostic’ and could be achieved at any time
3. … so best to plan for it early so that you can achieve it early
4. Sounds like you are free to continue doing paid work
5. Sounds like you are free to continue doing unpaid work
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE RETIRE EARLY
Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE)
Every expense should be compared to …
… time spent at work to earn the purchase
Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez (1992), Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence
Alexandra Kerr (2021), ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE)’ on Investopedia (website)
Variations on FIRE
1. Fat FIRE
More traditional lifestyle who saves more than the average retirement investor
2. Lean FIRE
Minimalist living and extreme savings with a far more restricted lifestyle
3. Barista FIRE
Work casual job to cover some living expenses (so they don’t erode investments too much)
4. Coast FIRE
Work part-time job but have enough saved to fund their current living expenses
Steven Kurutz (2018), ‘How to Retire in Your 30s With $1 Million in the Bank’, The New York Times.
Alexandra Kerr (2021), ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE)’ on Investopedia (website)
FIRE is interesting … but remember …
1. The nature of work can change as your career develops
2. Being actively employed in meaningful work is helpful for happiness
3. Saving 70% comes with significant sacrifices (relationships)
4. If you are in a relationship … they need to be ‘110% on-board’
5. … and isn’t planning on having any children any time soon!
6. Will people respect you if you don’t work?
7. Happiness is in the details … so what will you do once you FIRE?
8. ... and with whom?
Financial Independence
A situation in which the income you are drawing from your investments
is enough to cover your living expenses … indefinitely!
Single Couple
The Association of Superannuation Funds (ASFA) (2022), ‘ASFA Retirement Standard’ at superannuation.asn.au (website)
FIRE Rule of Thumb
Multiply by 30 to get investment required for financial independence …
Single Couple
Steven Kurutz (2018), ‘How to Retire in Your 30s With $1 Million in the Bank’, The New York Times.
Alexandra Kerr (2022), ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE)’ on Investopedia (website)
With math we can be more sophisticated!
Two mathematical approaches
Present Value of Perpetuity Present Value of Annuity
Investments Investments
1,600,000 1,600,000
1,400,000 1,400,000
1,200,000 1,200,000
1,000,000 1,000,000
800,000 800,000
600,000 600,000
400,000 400,000
200,000 200,000
0 0
60 70 80 90 100 60 70 80 90 100
Age Age
What is a perpetuity?
0 1 2 3 4 …
C1 C1(1+g)1 C1(1+g)2 C1(1+g)3 …
P
A perpetuity is an infinite stream of regular cash flows
… the first cash flow occurs at the end of the first period (C1)
… the cash flows can be level, growing or declining at a constant rate (g)
1,200,000
P
1,000,000 g = 0 … but middle C1
800,000
600,000
0
60 70 80 90 100
Age
Present value of constant perpetuity example
How much would Susan need for financial independence if she would like
$50,000 per year indefinitely, keeping pace with inflation (g = 0)
if she can achieve real investment returns of 5% per annum?
𝑪𝑪𝟏𝟏
𝑷𝑷∞,𝒈𝒈 =
𝒓𝒓 − 𝒈𝒈
Present value of constant perpetuity example
How much would Susan need for financial independence if she would like
$50,000 per year indefinitely, keeping pace with inflation (g = 0)
if she can achieve real investment returns of 5% per annum?
𝑪𝑪𝟏𝟏
𝑷𝑷∞,𝒈𝒈 =
𝒓𝒓 − 𝒈𝒈
𝑪𝑪𝟏𝟏
𝑷𝑷∞,𝒈𝒈 =
𝒓𝒓 − 𝒈𝒈
Present value of growing perpetuity example
How much would Susan need for financial independence if she would like
$50,000 per year indefinitely, growing at 1% above inflation (g = 1%)
if she can achieve real investment returns of 5% per annum?
𝑪𝑪𝟏𝟏
𝑷𝑷∞,𝒈𝒈 =
𝒓𝒓 − 𝒈𝒈
𝑪𝑪𝟏𝟏
𝑷𝑷∞,𝒈𝒈 =
𝒓𝒓 − 𝒈𝒈
Present value of decreasing perpetuity example
How much would Susan need for financial independence if she would like
$50,000 per year indefinitely, growing at 1% below inflation (g = – 1%)
if she can achieve real investment returns of 5% per annum?
𝑪𝑪𝟏𝟏
𝑷𝑷∞,𝒈𝒈 =
𝒓𝒓 − 𝒈𝒈
1,400,000 1,400,000
1,200,000 1,200,000
1,000,000 1,000,000
800,000 800,000
600,000 600,000
400,000 400,000
200,000 200,000
0 0
60 70 80 90 100 60 70 80 90 100
Age Age
Present value of an annuity
0 1 2 3 4 5
C C C C C
P
We are calculating the value of the cash flows (with first cash flow at end of first period)
… at the START of the regular series of payments
−𝒏𝒏
𝟏𝟏 − 𝟏𝟏 + 𝒓𝒓
𝑷𝑷𝒏𝒏 = 𝑪𝑪 ×
𝒓𝒓
Present value of annuity example
How much would Susan need for financial independence if she would like
$50,000 per year for 30 years, keeping pace with inflation,
if she can achieve real investment returns of 5% per annum?
−𝒏𝒏
𝟏𝟏 − 𝟏𝟏 + 𝒓𝒓
𝑷𝑷𝒏𝒏 = 𝑪𝑪 ×
𝒓𝒓 Calculator
These are assumed long-term future expected rates of return for this course. The derivation will be discussed further in Units 9 and 10.
Asset categories price gains and income
Asset category Price gains Income Nominal return
1. Cash 0.0% + 3.0% = 3.0%
These are assumed long-term future expected rates of return for this course. The derivation will be discussed further in Units 9 and 10.
How can I achieve it?
Modelling
a path to financial
independence
To achieve Financial Independence …
1. Calculate financial independence goal
$PV of future living expenses at the financial independence target age
* Receiving an inheritance might help to close this gap but we’ll assume zero inheritance in this example
Financial Independence Example
Current Age: 30
Independence Age: 60
Future Expenses: $100,000 growing at 1% p.a. in real terms
Current Savings: $150,000 invested at 6% p.a. in real terms
𝒏𝒏
𝑭𝑭𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 = 𝑷𝑷 × 𝟏𝟏 + 𝒓𝒓 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 = $𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖, 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓
3. Calculate Financial Independence Gap*
30 31 … 59 60 61 62 …
150,000 C C C C 100,000 100,000×(1.01)
F P
𝟏𝟏 + 𝒓𝒓 𝒏𝒏 − 𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 − 𝟏𝟏
𝑪𝑪 = 𝑭𝑭𝒏𝒏 ÷ = 𝟏𝟏, 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏, 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 ÷
𝒓𝒓 𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
* Receiving an inheritance might help to close this gap but we’ll assume zero inheritance in this example
What are the common strategies?
3 Key Principles
1. Consistently ‘save to invest’ at least 20% of your income (before-tax)
2. Avoid dumb investment decisions
3. Diversify across multiple financial strategies
1. Invest in your ability to generate income
Your brain is your most valuable asset right now
If it can generate a graduate income of just $50,000 for 40 years
at a required return of 5% per annum then it is worth:
−𝒏𝒏
𝟏𝟏 − 𝟏𝟏 + 𝒓𝒓 𝟏𝟏 − 𝟏𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎−𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
𝑷𝑷𝒏𝒏 = 𝑪𝑪 × = 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓, 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 × = $𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖, 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗
𝒓𝒓 𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
May only need a 2 bedroom apartment or small house when you are 60+
There are benefits from downsizing from large house and investing the difference
… which gives you the option to acquire multiple properties over time
3. Invest in a diversified portfolio of shares
Provides growth over long-term
… plus regular income through company profits distributed as dividends
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Age
How much can be accumulated in super?
There is a limit to how much you can accumulate in super
… and still receive concessional tax treatment
So when you move jobs your super fund will ‘move’ with you
… unless you choose a different super fund.
It can be a good idea to call your old funds before closing the account!
Searching for lost super
Superannuation funds are required to report ‘lost members’
They have not been able to contact you
They have not received any contributions or rollovers for 5 years
Your account was transferred from another fund as a lost member
Australian Taxation Office (2022) ‘Searching for lost super’ at ato.gov.au (website)
What jobs may not have paid super?
You were under 18 and worked less than 30 hours per week
… unless covered by an employer agreement (or your employer was generous!)
You were a ‘domestic worker’ and worked less than 30 hours per week
Examples or private domestic workers include a nanny, cleaner or gardener
Australian Taxation Office (2022) ‘Work out if you have to pay super’ at ato.gov.au (website)
Investment options
Three layers
Superannuation administrator
2. Asset allocation
You choose asset allocation and super fund chooses the fund managers
You choose allocation between cash, fixed interest, shares, listed property …
Slightly higher fees in exchange for more choice and flexibility
3. Direct investment
You choose both asset allocation and fund managers (and sometimes specific shares)
You choose specific manage funds (or shares) from a large menu of options
Higher fees in exchange for maximum choice and flexibility
Should I invest in low-risk investments?
… these funds are supposed to fund retirement after all!
We will see that there is a trade-off between total risk and expected returns
Cryptocurrency (bitcoin), commodities (gold) and foreign exchange are speculative investments
CMT is a Cash Management Trust. These are offered by investment banks such as Macquarie Bank and are popular with financial advisers
A ‘speculative investment’ is a euphemism for ‘gambling’. This is because they generate no cash flows. More on this in Units 9 and 10.
Asset categories
Asset category Asset category Time horizon
1. Cash Transaction, Savings Account or CMT 0 – 1 years
Cryptocurrency (bitcoin), commodities (gold) and foreign exchange are speculative investments
CMT is a Cash Management Trust. These are offered by investment banks such as Macquarie Bank and are popular with financial advisers
A ‘speculative investment’ is a euphemism for ‘gambling’. This is because they generate no cash flows. More on this in Units 9 and 10.
Past returns are no indicator of future returns
Many investors look to the past to extrapolate to the future.
These are assumed long-term future expected rates of return for this course. The derivation will be discussed further in Units 9 and 10.
Asset categories price gains and income
Asset category Price gains Income Nominal return
1. Cash 0.0% + 3.0% = 3.0%
These are assumed long-term future expected rates of return for this course. The derivation will be discussed further in Units 9 and 10.
Financial advisers like wrap accounts
… such as Macquarie Wrap
Provide many investment choices
Allowing tailored asset allocation and selection of assets to suit the client
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Age
Income tax rates don’t help with saving!
Taxable Income Marginal Tax Rate
Let’s assume
0 – $18,200 Nil a marginal tax
$18,201 – $45,000 19% rate of
$45,000 – $120,000 32.5% + 2% Medicare levy = 34.5%
Australian Taxation Office (2022), ‘Individual income tax rates’ on ato.gov.au (website)
Contributions visualised
Income 15%
Contribution Concessional
$100 Tax contributions
(before-tax)
Income Tax
34.5%
Non-concessional
contributions $85
Bank account
(after-tax) Superannuation
$65.50
$65.50
Limits for concessional contributions
These are ‘before income-tax’ contributions
Including employer Super Guarantee contributions or salary sacrifice contributions
Contributions tax rate is 15% rather than paying marginal tax rate plus Medicare Levy
High income earners may pay an additional Division 293 tax of 15%
The Division 293 threshold is $250,000 p.a. based on combined income and contributions
This is still lower than the highest marginal tax rate of 47% (including Medicare Levy)
Super account balance must be below Transfer Balance Cap ($1.7 million)
Non-concessional Contribution Cap (maximum): $110,000 per year
Age restrictions:
Age < 75: may be able to ‘bring forward’ 2 years of caps and contribute up to $330,000
Age ≥ 75: not allowed
… although Downsizer Contribution still allowed after 75
Most employers are required to allow you to choose your own fund
Some employers are exempted when subject to State Awards
They will allocated you to a default fund if you don’t make a choice
Age restrictions
Not permitted for those aged 75 or above
Australian Taxation Office (2022), ‘Claiming deductions for personal super contributions’ at ato.gov.au
5. Personal after-tax contributions with no deduction
Payments direct from your bank account into superannuation
… for which you do not claim a tax deduction in your income tax return
Non-Concessional Contributions subject to Cap ($110,000 per year)
$330,000 if bring forward 2 years (balance must be below Transfer Balance Cap $1.7 million)
Australian Taxation Office (2022), ‘Non-concessional contributions and contributions caps’ at ato.gov.au
6. Government super co-contribution
A government ‘top-up’ of $0.50 for each $1 (up to $500)
of personal after-tax contributions (up to $1,000)
Income must be below $42,016 (2022-23) to get the full amount … and
1. Not claim a tax deduction on the personal contribution
2. Must earn >$1 wage income (must be >10% of total income) and lodge tax return
3. Not hold a temporary visa at any time in the financial year
4. Must be aged below 71 (no restrictions on children)
5. … a few other things (see ATO website)
$50,000 can be withdrawn for First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS)
The annual contribution is still limited to $15,000 per year
… so the contributions need to be made over at least 4 years
Non-concessional
contributions $85
Bank account
(after-tax) Superannuation
$65.50
$65.50
Drawing an income from super
When can I access my super?
You must reach your ‘preservation age’ before you can access your super
Exceptions include First Home Super Saver Scheme, compassionate grounds,
financial hardship and any emergency release programs (such as COVID-19 in 2020)
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Age
Minimum pension payments based on age
Age Percentage factors Once a pension starts a
Under 65 4% minimum percentage of the
65 to 74 5% account balance is required
75 to 79 6% to be paid each financial year
80 to 84 7%
85 to 89 9%
90 to 94 11%
Aged 95 or older 14%
Transition to retirement (TTR) pension
Allows you to access some super once you reach preservation age
… even if you you’re still receiving income from employer or business
Must draw minimum of 4% each year if under age 65
Lump-sum withdrawals not allowed unless you permanently retire
Can start as early as age 55 under some circumstances
We won’t be covering TTR pensions for under the age of 60 in this course
Preservation age
Must be permanently retired
Can easily make withdrawals
Income is tax-free (age 60+)
Investment returns tax-free
Withdrawing funds from super
Why withdraw money from super?
Still have home loan payable upon retirement (unfortunate)
Don’t trust the government … get it all out! (bad reason)
Don’t trust the super funds … get it all out! (bad reason)
Health expenses
Retiring overseas (may still be better to leave it in)
Helping adult children (in 40s) reduce their debt
Helping grandchildren (in 20s) buy their first property
Lavish family holiday
Types of withdrawals
1. Withdrawals after age 60 7. Incapacity
2. Economic crises 8. Super less than $200
3. First Home Super Saver scheme 9. Departing Australia
4. Compassionate grounds 10. Divorce
5. Severe financial hardship 11. Death
6. Terminal medical condition
When can I access my super?
You must reach your ‘preservation age’ before you can access your super
Exceptions include First Home Super Saver Scheme, compassionate grounds,
financial hardship and any emergency release programs (such as COVID-19 in 2020)
Australian Taxation Office (2022), ‘First Home Super Saver scheme’ at ato.gov.au
4. Compassionate Grounds
1. Medical treatment or transport for you or your dependent
2. Palliative care for you or dependent
3. Making payment on home loan or council rates so you don’t lose home
4. Accommodating a disability for you or your dependent
5. Expenses associated with the death, funeral or burial of dependent
Withdrawal is tax-free
Contact your super fund
Permanent incapacity
Permanent physical or mental medical condition
Can receive super as lump-sum or regular payment (income stream)
Concessional tax
No tax is payable
Contact your super fund
Australian Taxation Office (2022), ‘Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP)’ on ato.gov.au
10. Divorce
Super assets are included in the ‘asset pool’ distributed in a divorce
Family Court can order super funds to pay part of super to ex-spouse
Paid to a non-dependant for tax purposes: taxed at 15% plus Medicare levy
Usually adult children or siblings
Problems
Also need to be saving for buffer, financial slack, future expenses
No liquidity … cannot access salary sacrificed contributions in emergency
… but you can access them to buy your first home
2. First Home Super Saver (FHSS)
Withdraw salary sacrifice or personal contributions to help buy first home
$50,000 per individual ($100,000 for a couple)
Only $15,000 in contributions from any individual year can be withdrawn to buy a home
… so need to have contributed over at least 4 years
Problems
Employer contributions cannot be used for FHSS
Tax advantaged returns may be replicated by borrowing to invest in diversified share portfolio
Low liquidity … can access for first home but nothing else (except for early release)
Australian Taxation Office (2022), ‘First Home Super Saver scheme’ on ato.gov.au
3. Invest in high-growth investment option
While under 50 … consider investing in high-growth option
Higher volatility (risk) in exchange for higher expected average return
Mainly Australian and international shares
Extra 1% per annum makes a big difference over 30+ years
4. Children’s super
Open a super account for each child when they are born
Ask grandparents to make small monthly personal after-tax contribution
… preferably made via a bank account under the child’s name
Problems
At that age you have high living expenses from private school fees, food, holidays …
Mid-life challenges could result in career change or lavish purchases
6. Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSFs)
Create your own fund with 6 or fewer members
Before July 2021 SMSFs could only contain 4 or fewer members
Better control over tax when moving from accumulation to payment phase
Borrow to invest using limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA)
Ability to transfer residual amounts to other fund members upon death
Draw tax-free income from TTR pension to help cover living expenses
Net effect is to lower marginal tax rate to 19% + 2% Medicare levy
9. Sell investments outside super
Before retirement …
Simplify your investments by selling properties or shares outside super
Invest proceeds into super as personal after-tax contributions
Watch out for the Non-concessional Contributions Cap ($110,000 per year)
… or $330,000 in one year by bringing forward 2 years of caps
The regular income can help your super to last a lot longer
There is both an ‘asset’ and ‘income’ test
There are limits on ‘gifting’ assets to others
There is ‘deemed income’ rates on investments
Details of the drop-in session are towards the top of the course website
If you can’t attend then you are welcome to ask questions on General Forums