Retirement Planning Services

Planning ahead is the key to securing financial freedom in retirement.
At Providence Advisory Group, we’re here to guide and assist you with creating a tailored retirement plan that enables you to secure your financial future and achieve your personal and lifestyle goals.
Ready to start planning your retirement?
At Providence Advisory Group, we partner with you to plan for your retirement

What is Retirement Planning?
And why you should seek financial advice
​
Retirement planning is the process of arranging your finances to ensure you have long-term financial security and achieve your personal and lifestyle goals.
​
It involves setting lifestyle and financial goals, creating a savings and investment strategy, and making informed decisions to set you on a pathway to where you want to be in your retirement years.
​
Retirement planning is also an ongoing process that adapts over time to changes in personal circumstances, market conditions, taxation changes, and financial goals.
​
So, seeking expert and trusted advice from a financial planner can be beneficial to help you navigate the complexities and make informed decisions tailored to your individual needs.
What are the Benefits of Retirement Planning?
Preparing a tailored retirement plan for your unique situation will improve your chances of living a comfortable and secure retirement.
​
It will ensure you maximise your investment returns and boost your eligibility for the pension and other social security entitlements.
​
If generating an income in retirement is important to you, then a financial planner who can explain and recommend the right financial products for your circumstances, timeframe, and objectives is also essential.
​
When you get the right support to prepare for your retirement, you put yourself in a position to capitalise on various tax benefits designed for retirees. These include:
-
Tax rebates and concessions
-
Elevated tax-free thresholds
-
Exemption from tax on earnings when funds are held in specific retirement income products
With the financial planning support from Providence Advisory Group, you can get the assistance you need to unlock all the advantages of a well-prepared retirement plan.
​
Retirement planning is a step everyone should take to ensure a secure and comfortable future.

What Should You Include in a Retirement Plan?
Whilst your retirement plan will be tailored for you and adjusted over time as your financial situation evolves, it will typically cover the following areas:
​
Goal Setting
You’ll set financial and personal goals for retirement, such as maintaining a certain lifestyle, covering healthcare expenses, or leaving a financial legacy for your children.
​
Savings & Expenses
Your money needs to last, so it’s important that it’s invested in the right way, so you have adequate savings and income to spend on the things you dreamed about doing in retirement.
​
Property & Investments
Developing a diversified investment strategy tailored to your risk tolerance, timeframe, and financial goals is crucial. This may involve a mix of property, stocks, bonds, and other assets.
​
Healthcare & Insurance
Considering healthcare costs and potential long-term care needs is vital. This may involve purchasing insurance policies or setting aside funds for medical expenses.
​
Estate Planning
Establishing a comprehensive estate plan, including wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations, helps ensure the efficient transfer of assets and the fulfilment of your wishes.
​
Taxation & Benefits
Understanding the tax implications of how you manage your money and your ability to receive a pension is an integral part of the retirement planning process.
How does the Retirement Planning Process Work?
Step 1. Book a 15-minute Complimentary Call
The first step is to book a 15-minute complimentary call with our Principal Financial Planner, Simon Shepherd, to discuss your current financial position and determine if we can assist you with your unique situation and goals.
Step 2. Schedule an Initial Consultation ($275)
We’ll meet for a 2-hour Life Planning Session to discuss what’s important to you, where you’d like to be in the future and the potential steps you could take to achieve your goals. Even if you decide not to proceed with a full financial plan, you’ll still leave the session with a to-do list of actions and quick wins you could potentially make.
Step 3. Start working together on your Plan
Once you approve the areas you’d like help with and the costs and benefits of this advice, we'll start working with you on the journey to prepare and roll out your financial plan.
Ready to start planning your retirement?
​
Book a free 15-minute call with Simon today, to discuss how we can help secure your financial future and achieve your retirement and lifestyle goals.
Why Choose Providence Advisory Group?
At Providence Advisory Group, we specialise in simplifying the retirement planning process and identifying how we can add value to your existing arrangements or perhaps completely reorganise your financial affairs for long-term financial security and freedom.
​
But don’t just take our word for it – Here’s what our clients say:
​
"Simon's advice is clear and concise in what he provides.
He always presents in plain English, avoids using industry jargon, and is very patient and available to discuss any issues we have. He provides a lot of information about what the market is doing and various jargon and technicalities, including a broad understanding of investment markets and is able to come up with new ideas and suggestions."
- Peter, 65+ years, Bonny Hills, NSW
"Simon gives us confidence in managing our investment for our future in retirement and has our trust in his guidance and advice and explains everything simply for us. We never feel he is in a rush with the time spent with us at the review."
- John, 65+ years, Port Macquarie, NSW
Meet your Retirement Planning Advisor

Simon Shepherd
Principal Financial Planner
Simon joined the family practice in Sydney in 2009, having previously worked in financial markets in numerous cities, including Tokyo, New York, and London.
​
He holds a Bachelor of Business (Finance and Accounting) from the University of Technology, Sydney, and is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
​
With a strong background in financial markets and a deep understanding of investment risk, Simon skilfully constructs high-quality, diversified investment portfolios to help clients achieve their financial goals and dream retirement lifestyle.
​
Ready to start planning your retirement?
​
Book a free 15-minute call with Simon today, to discuss how we can help secure your financial future and achieve your retirement and lifestyle goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
When should I start preparing my retirement plan?The short answer is as soon as possible. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have for your investments to grow and compound the returns. However, if you haven’t yet started preparing for your retirement, it’s never too late. Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s or beyond, acting now is essential. A financial planner will assist you with assessing your current situation, determining where you want to be in the future, and creating a plan that aligns with your goals. Starting early and proactively managing your retirement funds can significantly enhance your financial security and ensure that your later years are some of the best years of your life.
-
Do I really need financial advice to prepare for my retirement?While it’s not compulsory to obtain financial advice to prepare for your retirement, working with a financial planner can offer significant benefits. Financial planners bring a high level of skill and expertise in financial markets, are up to date with the latest regulatory and taxation changes, and have a comprehensive understanding of the various financial products that are available to retirees. They can also help you to maximise your returns while managing risk and can guide you on asset allocation, diversification, and investment strategies that are aligned with your goals. It can also be stressful to plan for your retirement, so having a trusted financial planner to guide you through the process can bring peace of mind as you navigate the complexities.
-
What does a retirement plan cost?The cost of a retirement plan can vary depending on the level of support and the type of investments you’re seeking and is based on the hours of work involved by Simon and his team. Our hourly rates are like that of an experienced, high-quality accountant or estate planning lawyer. Total costs will depend on the work involved and will reflect how simple or complex your needs are. An initial plan and strategy for most of our new clients will cost around $3,000-$5,000, plus GST.
-
Do I need a minimum amount of assets to work with your firm?To get the best value for money from our services, the most suitable minimum investment or super balances would be around $200,000 for an individual or $250,000 for a couple.
-
What are your qualifications and experience as a financial planner?I commenced working in the financial services industry in 1994. I've been a financial adviser and principal owner of our Planning practice since 2009. Prior to joining the Financial Planning industry, I spent 14 years working on trading desks for global investment banks including 9 years based in Tokyo, New York and London. I graduated university with a Bachelor of Business (Finance and Accounting). I believe my business is unique due to strong focus on genuine financial and life planning. My extensive back ground in financial markets and deep understanding of investment risk provides a powerful skill set to build high quality, well diversified investment portfolios, helping clients to achieve their financial goals and assisting them in realising their life dreams and aspiration.