Why you need financial advice

A financial planner can mean all the difference when planning for your retirement - at any age. For example, Susie is in her early 20s and is light years away from thinking about retirement or investment. James, in his early 50s, is starting to plan his retirement. Why do Susie and James need financial advice?

A financial adviser can help set you up for life

Maximise wealth	Peace of mind	Tailored solution	Tax planning	Estate planning

Susie, in her early 20s, would be able to put compound interest to work for her if she started investing now. An adviser can assist her in planning for different goals in her lifetime. For James, it's never too late to start investing. An adviser can assist James with a strategy to maximise what he has got, so he can make the most of his retirement.

Find out more about the power of compound interest in our 'Investment Basics' section.

Susie wants to buy a car, go overseas and save for a deposit on a house. She doesn't feel confident about making major financial decisions without professional help. For James, professional advice is a life-line. He is anxious about how long his money will last and the best way to invest it on his retirement. An adviser can help them both minimise their risks of loss, and bring peace of mind. An adviser can also keep them up to date with major changes to rules and laws that affect their investments.

There's a lot of advice and information out there - especially when it comes to selling products. Susie and James need different solutions to suit their goals and their different stages of life. A professional financial planner will devise a tailored solution to suit their goals. A qualified planner uses a structured process of identifying their goals and financial resources and then recommending a strategy.

An adviser shows Susie how she can add to her super from her pre-tax dollars to maximise the benefits of compound interest. James is considering his retirement options. If he takes his money as a lump sum payout without seeking advice, he could be foregoing thousands of dollars. An adviser can also help him work out if he will be entitled to a full or part Government Age Pension. The right advice could potentially help both Susie and James get the most out of what they have.

A financial planner can assist Susie and James to make choices now about what happens to their money when they die. It's a complex area with different potential outcomes. Knowing what will happen to their investments can bring them peace of mind.

Why you need financial advice.

Find out more about retirement

Find a financial adviser using BT's Adviser Referral Program.
Learn about BT's pension plans.