Your retirement planning questions

Meet a retirement adviser

Thinking about retirement? Jason, a Cbus Super Retirement Adviser, answers common questions about planning for retirement.

When’s the best time to start planning for retirement?

It’s never too early. Small changes now could make a big difference later.

For example, you might think you can’t afford extra payments into your super, but most people can afford something. Say you put in $20 a week - the compounding interest might mean up to three more years of retirement income^*.

I’m thinking about retirement - where should I start?   

You can get advice from us at no extra cost. We’ll take time to understand your situation and you can get different levels of advice, depending on what you need.

If you’re 60 or over, a Retirement Adviser like me can look at your Age Pension entitlements and how it could work alongside your super. If you live with your partner or spouse, it’s important to consider both your own and your partner’s super and Centrelink entitlements.

We can speak to both you and your partner, and your partner doesn’t need to be a member with us. This is a new service we’re offering for an affordable fee.

When can I retire and how much is enough?   

Everyone’s situation is different. As a Retirement Adviser my job is to understand your unique situation. What does a good retirement look like for you? Continue working a little, focus on your grandkids or enjoy travelling?

Then we can figure out if you can retire now or later, how long your super could last, and what strategies might work for you.

I don't like to make it all about the numbers because it's not. The most important thing is that you have a fulfilling retirement.   

Your advice options

Super doesn’t have to be complicated, and we’re here to keep it simple for you. Choose from three levels of service:

Advice Essentials

Advice about your existing super with us, investment options, contributions, or starting a Transition to Retirement or Super Income Stream account. 

Available to members at no additional cost.

Advice Essentials Plus

Includes all the above, plus strategic advice to improve your retirement. Offered to members aged 60+ (and your partner if you choose) for $990 including GST.

Comprehensive advice

Covers your entire financial situation, including super, retirement planning, other investments, estate planning and so on.

We’ll refer you to an external financial adviser who meets strict professional qualification and service criteria set by us and the Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA). It’s a fee-for-service basis, agreed with you before you go ahead. 

^* The figure is for illustration purposes only and the calculation is based on before-tax contributions of $20 per week starting at age 38, income of $95,000 per year, starting superannuation balance of $100,000, invested in the Accumulation default Growth (MySuper) investment option. Retirement at age 65 with an income of $51,340 per year and the balance invested in the Super Income Stream Growth investment option. Refer to the relevant PDS for fees applied. Calculations performed on 29 January 2025.