Key takeaways
Two-thirds of Australians over 65 rely on Centrelink for income, with the full Age Pension paying about $790 per week — far short of what’s needed for a comfortable lifestyle.
Without a clear financial plan, many are heading toward a future of dependency and financial stress.
Wealth isn’t determined by luck or market conditions but by personal choices and actions. Whether you end up in a “Poor,” “Comfortable,” or “Rich” future depends on how early and strategically you start managing, growing, and protecting your assets.
Many Australians mistakenly assume super will cover their retirement needs, but even with compulsory contributions, it usually won’t.
A comfortable retirement requires around $72,000 a year for couples or $51,000 for singles, assuming the home is owned outright. Strategic investing — not just saving — is essential.
Wealth creation is driven by time in the market, not timing it.
Starting early allows your assets to compound — generating returns on returns — which can bridge the gap between what you have and what you’ll need without unrealistic savings targets.
The Christmas and New Year period is an ideal time to pause, reflect, and plan.
Whether that means starting an investment, reviewing super, or engaging professional advice, acting early and strategically is key. Your financial future isn’t fixed — you hold the pen to write it.
Are you confident about your financial future?
Most Australians aren’t — and that’s a problem.
Because the truth is, your financial future isn’t determined by luck, government policy, or market conditions. It’s determined by you — by the decisions you make today.
And yet, despite this, millions of Australians are sleepwalking toward a future where they’ll rely on Centrelink to pay their bills.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
With a plan, the right mindset, and the right advice, you can take back control of your financial destiny.
Are you happy with your financial future?
As we approach the end of another year, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect.
Have you really thought about what your financial future looks like?
At Metropole Wealth Advisory, we’ve found that most Australians aren’t happy with where they’re heading financially, but often, they simply don’t know how to change course.
The truth is simple: your financial future is in your hands.
What you do today will determine whether you enjoy a stress-free retirement or struggle to make ends meet.
And while you’re reading this, remember that the best outcomes come when you embark on your financial journey with someone by your side. Someone who understands your family dynamics, supports your decisions, keeps you accountable, and helps you celebrate the milestones along the way.
The harsh reality: most Australians rely on Centrelink
According to government statistics, around 66% of Australians over 65 depend on the Age Pension, either partly or fully.
That’s more than two in every three retirees relying on Centrelink to pay their bills.
The full single Age Pension currently sits at around $790 per week – that’s less than many Australians spend on essentials like groceries, utilities, and transport.
Would you be happy retiring on that? For most people, the answer is a resounding no.
Yet, without planning, that’s exactly where they’re heading.
Is there a simple model to help you see your future?
At Metropole, we use a simple but powerful framework to show where your current financial decisions are likely to lead you.
- The Poor Future – You end up dependent on government support and live week to week.
- The Comfortable Future – You can support yourself, but must budget carefully and compromise.
- The Rich Future – You achieve financial independence, where your investments work for you, not the other way around.
Everyone says they want the rich future, but most people unconsciously choose the poor or comfortable one through inaction.
Of course, “rich” here means financially free — many of us already feel rich in other ways through family, health, and friends.
Why don’t people do more to improve their financial future?
Despite knowing what’s at stake, many people don’t take meaningful action. Why?
- Fear of risk – Australians are naturally cautious. Many would rather avoid losing money than pursue opportunities to grow it.
- Lack of knowledge – Financial literacy isn’t taught in schools, so most people simply don’t know where to begin.
- Procrastination – It’s always easier to delay difficult decisions than confront them head-on.
- False confidence in superannuation – Many believe super will fund their retirement. But for most, it won’t be nearly enough.
Ironically, doing nothing is the biggest risk of all.
Inflation, rising living costs, and increasing life expectancy all work against those who wait too long to act.
You’re living longer – and that means you’ll need more
Australians are living longer than ever.
The average male can now expect to live into his 80s, and females even longer - meaning many of us will spend 25 to 30 years in retirement.
That’s a long time to fund your lifestyle without employment income.
To maintain your standard of living, you’ll need around 60–70% of your pre-retirement income.
If you want a comfortable or wealthy retirement with travel, dining out, and helping your family, you’ll likely need closer to 80–90%.
In fact, many retirees spend more when they have more time.
So, the earlier you plan and invest strategically, the better your position will be.
How much do you actually need to retire comfortably?
According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA):
- A comfortable retirement costs around $72,000 per year for couples or $51,000 for singles.
- A modest retirement costs about $47,000 for couples or $33,000 for singles.
That’s significantly more than what the Age Pension provides, and those figures assume you already own your home outright.
If you’re still paying off a mortgage or renting, you’ll need even more.
That’s why at Metropole, we stress the importance of wealth creation through strategic property and asset planning, not simply relying on super.
What Does Your Financial Future Look Like in Numbers?
It’s one thing to want financial freedom, it’s another to see what it actually takes.
Let’s put some simple numbers around it. You can change the assumptions to work out your own position.
| Item | Example | Your Figures | Explanation |
| Current Salary | $120,000 p.a. | Your current income before tax. | |
| Required Retirement Income | $80,000 p.a. | The lifestyle income you’d like in retirement. | |
| Expected Investment Return | 5% | Assumed annual return on your retirement assets. | |
| Net Assets Required to Generate Required Income | $1,600,000 | Formula: Required Income ÷ Expected Return = $80,000 ÷ 0.05 = $1.6 million. | |
| Current Net Assets (Excluding Home) | $400,000 | Value of investments, super, and savings (not including your home). | |
| Shortfall in Required Net Assets | $1,200,000 | Net Assets Required – Current Net Assets = $1.6 M – $400 K. | |
| Years to Retirement | 25 years | Time remaining until you plan to stop working. | |
| Annual Required Increase in Net Assets | $48,000 per year | Shortfall ÷ Years to Retirement = $1.2 M ÷ 25. |
You can adjust these assumptions, expected returns, income needs, or years to retirement to see how your own figures compare.
For many Australians, saving an extra $48,000 per year is simply not achievable through traditional savings alone, even with compulsory super contributions of 12%.
That’s the reality check. You can’t save your way to wealth.
The math doesn’t work unless your money is working for you through strategic investing, leverage, and time in the market.
Starting early is the key.
The sooner you begin building and compounding your assets, the less you’ll need to contribute each year.
Wait five or ten years, and that annual requirement skyrockets.
The power of time and compounding
Imagine you start building your investment base now through property, shares, or other growth assets and achieve a consistent 5–7% annual return.
Your money begins to compound, meaning your assets generate returns, and those returns generate more returns.
Over time, this snowball effect can close your financial gap without you needing to manually save every dollar.
As I often tell clients:
“It’s not how much you earn, but how you manage, grow, and protect what you earn that defines your financial future.”
The Christmas Period: a perfect time to plan for a better future
The upcoming Christmas and New Year break is the ideal time to reflect and reset.
Amid the festivities, take some time to review your financial position:
- How much are you saving or investing each month?
- Is your super on track to meet your retirement goals?
- Are you building assets that will deliver passive income?
Then, set a New Year’s resolution that truly makes a difference.
Whether it’s starting your first investment, paying off debt faster, or seeking advice from a professional wealth strategist — the key is to act early and act strategically.
Turn your resolutions into results
Resolutions without action are just wishes.
At Metropole Wealth Advisory, we help Australians move from financial uncertainty to confidence using proven frameworks, professional guidance, and time-tested property and wealth strategies.
If you’re serious about improving your financial future in 2026, make it the year you move from the Poor Future to the Rich Future, the year your money starts working for you.
And even if you’re already on the right track, ask yourself: How can I accelerate my progress or reduce risk?
The bottom line: your future is in your hands
Your financial future won’t be determined by luck — but by the choices you make today.
Thank you. As you head into a new year, remember this: Your financial future isn’t written yet — but you hold the pen.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is general in nature and does not consider your individual objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is not intended to be financial, investment, or taxation advice. You should not act on any of the information without first obtaining independent, professional advice specific to your circumstances.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance, and all investments carry risk.
Metropole Wealth Advisory and its representatives do not accept responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of actions taken based on this publication.
