Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

26 September 2026

Home / 529

Podcast: Noel Whittaker's retirement tips and traps

Season 2, Episode 9

Special guest Noel Whittaker, best-selling author and personal finance guru, offers his key tips for making the most of your retirement. He discusses the mistakes that people make with SMSFs, why super remains a good vehicle for retirees, how estate planning is a "minefield", and the financial traps to avoid with aged care.

Firstlinks’ Managing Editor, Graham Hand, also joins us to explain why more listed investment companies should close as well as the intriguing battle between Magellan and shareholder activist Nick Bolton.

And Morningstar's Peter Warnes is back from a break to talk about the carnage in bond markets and what it might mean for Australian markets.

The podcast is also available via our dedicated website page, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and BuzzSprout.

Please share with friends and colleagues, and a favourable rating would help spread the word. We welcome questions and suggestions at [email protected].

Grab a cuppa and settle in for our chat.

James Gruber
Editorial, Firstlinks and Morningstar

 

  •   4 October 2023
  • 10
  •      
  •   
10 Comments
Kay
October 05, 2023

I have just listened to this podcast. Very interesting. I don't understand options, I needed an executive summary as background. Please do one. Also, a podcast on why an investor would want to invest in bonds.....no franking credits there, isn't a term deposit the same? More of Noel please, especially on estate planning. As he said 'you don't know what you don't know' . How does one best Estate plan if you have no family and you want to arrange things to give to causes in an ongoing fashion? Or are you best to give before you die and try to pass away broke? Noel told me many things I did not know today, thank you. I regularly read Firstlinks, a fair bit I don't understand, and the comments can be very entertaining.

Jan
October 05, 2023

I am interesting to know how one Estate plan if I have no family like Kay, I am going to arrange everything go to charity, wants some information on their financial situation, what is the percentage of the yearly people donated fund goes to the people who really need ?

Tasman
October 07, 2023

Current term deposits 4-5%?.My bond portfolio last financial year returned 6.8% from a very diverse mix of different types of bonds with interest ranging from 5% to 12%.They will mature over many years and then return my capital when they do.The interest is variously paid monthly or quartely so I am not waiting to the next year to benefit from franking credits.

Kay
October 08, 2023

I admit I am no expert. Treasury/Government Bonds are returning 4-4.5%. They are the capital guaranteed Bonds. If you are earning 12%, I think you must be taking on more capital risk (than a term deposit in Australia up to 250K per institution), with Corporate Bonds. My search for Capital and Inflation protected investments continues....

charles
October 07, 2023

It would be helpful if you could provide a written version of the podcast. It would help the deaf and also those that don't want to interrupt others. Also it would provide ability to refer back to segments.

B2
October 08, 2023

Agreed

Shane
October 09, 2023

Agree

James Gruber
October 18, 2023

Hi Charles, we would love to do it. Unfortunately, many tools such as zoom and others aren't accurate and fail to pick up financial terms and nuances. That means any audio transcription requires labor and money. We don't have that capacity at the moment, though hopefully that changes soon.

Lucille McLaren
October 09, 2023

Kay, Re bonds Tasman would be buying commercial bonds from the likes of FIIG. Some are available on the stock exchange and you can readily sell those if need be. Not all bonds are equal there is risk associated with them.

Tasman
October 08, 2023

Lucille,you are correct,My 18 bonds comprise floating rate 6,indexed 5, RMBS 3, fixed rate 2, asset backed 1 and one commercial .The 12% interset one is the asset backed one, short dated and is about 2% of total portfolio so I am comfortable with the risk.The bonds are also diversified across industry sectors,credit ratings(including unrated),duration and currency.

 

Leave a Comment:
Firstlinks is sponsored by:
banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Why spending more in early retirement can improve lifetime income

Conventional wisdom encourages retirees to preserve superannuation. But if those likely to qualify for the Age Pension later in life spend a little more today, it may deliver higher lifetime income and a more stable retirement.

Testamentary trusts have secured the CGT exemption

Treasury’s latest CGT reform draft delivers a win for testamentary trusts and deceased estates, exempting estate-derived gains from the 30% floor. However, questions on death and divorce rollovers remain unresolved.

Meg on SMSFs: What do we think about reversionary pensions these days?

Reversionary pensions have long been a staple of SMSF estate planning, but are they still the best option? Meg Heffron revisits a once-clear favourite and asks whether changing super rules have shifted the balance.

Is it time to bail on Australian stocks?

For generations, Australian investors have backed banks, miners and dividends. But has that loyalty come at a cost? A look at the numbers raises an uncomfortable question about where future returns will come from.

How does the 4% rule stack up?

The 4% rule has long been retirement's gold standard. But after a difficult period for investors, fresh analysis suggests a more conservative approach may significantly improve the chances of making savings last.

Testamentary trusts survived the trust tax. The drafting battle has just begun.

The fight over testamentary trusts looked settled. Then the draft legislation arrived. Hidden in a technical detail is a question that could force many families to rethink wills they thought were already future-proof.

Latest Updates

Planning

How the typical Australian Family could save $844,350 in taxes

The value of a testamentary trust is not determined by wealth alone. Depending on circumstances, it can reduce the tax burden on inherited income, create efficiencies and help build intergenerational wealth.

Superannuation

There's a reason why your super is locked up until your 60s

For decades, it seemed settled. Then one controversial idea reignited a debate that could reshape the financial future of millions. The real question isn’t who’s right or wrong, but whether a long-held assumption deserves another look.

Property

The housing slide could become a crash

House prices are sliding across Australia, yet the most dangerous ingredient for a housing crash is still missing. If job losses surge amid growing economic risks, today's correction could become a historic property downturn.

Retirement

Under-retiring: The greatest retirement risk in a generation

Two retirees. Similar savings. Completely different lives. New research from Challenger reveals why some Australians confidently spend in retirement while others hold back and the overlooked factor shaping retirement decisions.

Five risks to watch in markets

Things you may often hear are: a recession is around the corner, markets are overpriced, the AI sector is about to flop at any moment. It’s like the never-ending laundry pile that sits in my house, it never really disappears.

Investment strategies

Do you qualify as ‘rich’?

What does it mean to be 'rich'? For something so universally desired, it is surprisingly difficult to define. That ambiguity creates a challenge for investors and raises a bigger question about what financial success really looks like.

Investment strategies

If you’re worried about your bond portfolio, you’re missing the point

Most investors think they know what bonds are for. But when markets turn volatile, a surprising misunderstanding can lead to costly decisions. Here’s the overlooked lesson that could change how you view your portfolio.

Sponsors

Alliances

  • ASA-Logo-RGB-ActiveGreen-web.png

Site Map

About Firstlinks

© 2026 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.