Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

18 July 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

Testamentary trusts post-budget: Estate planning, tax reform and the ‘death tax’ debate

Proposed Budget changes to taxation are casting new uncertainty over testamentary trusts, prompting closer scrutiny of estate planning structures and the real implications of reforms still taking shape.

High quality businesses are on sale

Beneath the dominance of the ASX's largest stocks, much of the market has been left behind. High-quality companies are now trading at levels rarely seen, offering opportunities for investors willing to look deeper.

Meg on SMSFs: The CGT changes don’t impact super but what about Div 296 tax decisions?

New CGT rules could tip the scales in the super vs non-super debate. For those facing the Division 296 tax, the case for withdrawing has gotten more complex. A "comparison rate" tool may help assess decisions.

The strange effect of the 30% minimum capital gains tax

The 30% minimum tax on capital gains sits at the heart of the budget's proposed reforms. Yet the mechanics reveal anomalies that introduce unexpected distortions that raise questions about its design.

Ranking three common retirement strategies

The defining challenge of retirement isn't just about building wealth, it's about converting your lifetime savings into sustainable income. A holistic understanding of different strategies can improve long-term outcomes.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 667 with weekend update

The downfall of the giant and three lessons for investors.

  • 18 June 2026

Latest Updates

Planning

Does your will qualify for the discretionary testamentary trust exemption?

Treasury has confirmed the exemption many families were hoping for. But buried in the fine print are two conditions that could leave some wills on the wrong side of the exemption, despite years of careful planning.

Lithium's latest drop and what it means for ASX investors

Lithium's latest sell-off has punished ASX miners as prices remain hostage to shifting expectations. The key challenge is navigating a market prone to extreme volatility despite a strong case for the long-term demand outlook.

Investment strategies

CGT reform and fund turnover: who really feels the impact?

The implications of CGT reform are far and wide. As the 50% discount gives way to inflation indexation, turnover and return profiles may become critical drivers of after-tax performance. Some strategies face a far greater hit.

Superannuation

Super was built for a very different Australia

Our retirement system was built around assumptions that no longer hold. Lower homeownership, longer lifespans and changing expectations are exposing cracks that policymakers and super funds need to address.

Retirement

Retirement in reality - 4 months in

Many people spend years planning financially for retirement but little time preparing for what comes next. Four months in, here are the surprising lessons I've learnt on finding purpose, social connection and healthy habits.

Investment strategies

After the Budget, Australia needs its own definition of quality

As tax reforms reshape investment incentives, investors should rethink what quality investing means in the uniquely concentrated Australian market, where traditional frameworks may not translate as effectively.

Datacenters are the new shale oil

Why are tech giants pouring billions into datacentres when the economics look questionable? The most dangerous words in investing may be: "everyone else is doing it". Today's AI boom has striking parallels with the shale bust.

Sponsors

Alliances

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.