The Grass is Greener

When can you access your super? Do you have to retire at 65? And when does the Age Pension become available? One of the biggest misconceptions about retirement in Australia is that there's a single retirement age. In reality, 60, 65 and 67 are three important milestones, each opening up new opportunities. In this episode of The Grass is Greener, Tim Henry from Aspire Planning explains what cha...

Financial advice is evolving — both in the growing role of women working within the profession and in the way advice is delivered to female consumers. Following the FAAA Melbourne Inspire Lunch, featuring an inspiring keynote from Jelena Dokic, Tim speaks with five women from across financial services about how the profession has changed and where it needs to go next. Featuring Amy Parsons from Fu...

This week on The Grass is Greener, we're doing something a little different! Join Tim for an audio diary of a fascinating week, beginning with an AustralianSuper investment briefing before heading to Christchurch, New Zealand, for the Count.ed 2026 annual financial advice conference. Along the way, Tim shares his personal reflections and key takeaways from leading experts across investments, e...

Supporting an ageing parent can be overwhelming — particularly when decisions about care need to be made quickly. In this episode, Tim is joined by Bec Vaughan and Jacinta Coulston from Care & Co Match to discuss how they help Australian families navigate home care, aged care and future care planning. We explore the role of a Care Concierge, why families shouldn't wait for a crisis before...

You don't need to be an economist to benefit from understanding economics. In this episode of The Grass is Greener, Tim is joined by AMP Chief Economist Shane Oliver for a refreshingly simple conversation about why economics matters in our everyday lives. They discuss how inflation, interest rates, productivity and investment markets affect ordinary Australians — and why understanding the basi...

The cost of educating children continues to rise, and many grandparents would love to help their families — but how can they do it without overstepping? Tim is joined by Amy Parsons from Futurity to explore how Education Bonds can give grandparents a flexible way to plan ahead for their grandchildren's education. They discuss how grandparents can retain control of the investment while nominati...

We often talk about the importance of checking in on others and asking “Are you OK?” But how good are we at recognising when 'we’re' not OK — and having the confidence to say so? In this episode, Tim is joined by Jack Davis, founder of It’s Cool to Cry, for an open and personal conversation about mental health, emotions and why we shouldn't wait until crisis point to start talking. Jac...

What if planning for retirement didn't start with money? In this episode of The Grass is Greener, Tim is joined by author, podcaster and retirement educator Bec Wilson, author of How to Have an Epic Retirement and Prime Time. Bec challenges the traditional idea of retirement as simply the point where we stop working. Instead, she encourages us to think about the second half of life as a gradua...

You might have a Will, but does that mean your super will end up where you want it to? Following recent ABC News coverage suggesting around 15.7 million Australians may not have a binding death benefit nomination in place, Tim takes a look at how super death benefit nominations actually work — and why simply naming someone may not be enough. In this episode, we cover: - Why your super doesn't...

Many Australians assume that because their superannuation is tax-free in retirement, it will also be tax-free when they leave it to their family. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. If your super is ultimately inherited by financially independent adult children, part of your balance could be subject to tax—potentially reducing their inheritance by thousands, or even hundreds of thousand...

In this episode of The Grass Is Greener, Tim is joined by Jo Kowalczyk, CEO of Women in Super, an organisation that has spent more than 30 years advocating for better outcomes for women working within the superannuation industry and, increasingly, for better retirement outcomes for all Australian women. Jo explains why the gender super gap is closely connected to the gender pay gap, lower-paid and...

Financial stress doesn't always come from making mistakes. Sometimes life changes, rising costs, family responsibilities, or unexpected events can leave us feeling like we're no longer moving forward. This week, Tim sits down with financial adviser, educator, and author Gemma Mitchell to discuss her book The Money Reset and why getting back to basics can be the key to regaining confidence...

The Federal Budget has sparked plenty of discussion about capital gains tax and small business. In this episode, Tim steps away from the headlines and focuses on the rules that exist today, including the four Small Business CGT Concessions and why they matter for business owners planning their eventual exit or retirement. Australian Tax Office - Small Business CGT Concessions https://bit.ly/4x86lN...

Financial adviser and author James Wrigley joins Tim to discuss why retirement planning is about more than money. From life goals and purpose to superannuation, investing and navigating uncertainty, this conversation explores what it really means to become “Retire Life Ready.” James also discusses the overwhelming response to his book launch, the growth of financial education online, and why clear...

In this episode, Tim breaks down the major proposed measures from the latest Federal Budget and explains what they could mean for everyday Australians, investors, business owners and families — while reinforcing one critical point: these are proposals only and not yet law. The discussion covers immediate wins for employees, including the proposed $1,000 instant tax deduction for work-related expen...

In this episode, we unpack why a properly set up MyGov account is far more than just another government login — it’s a vital tool for managing tax, Medicare, Centrelink, security, and major life events. Joined by Justin Bott (Community Information Officer Services Australia), we explore how Australians can use MyGov to stay organised, protect themselves from scams, support ageing parents, and simp...

In this episode of The Grass is Greener, Tim welcomes Evguenia Rutkowski, a passionate financial adviser specialising in retirement and pre-retirement planning. Evguenia shares her insights on superannuation strategies, especially for women navigating financial transitions like divorce or late-career planning. Key Topics Covered: - Why superannuation matters—especially for women - Salary sacrifice...

In this short but powerful episode, we dive into the critical topic of Binding Death Nominations (BDBN) and why they matter for your superannuation. Unlike your will, your super doesn’t automatically go to your chosen beneficiaries unless you’ve completed a valid BDBN. Learn how to take control, avoid trustee discretion, and ensure your loved ones receive what you intend. What You’ll Learn: -What...

In this heartfelt episode, Helen Nolan (CEO) shares the origin and impact of the Shane Warne Legacy, a foundation launched in honour of the late cricket legend. Helen recounts how the foundation began with a dream and quickly grew into Australia’s largest health screening event. We discussed: - How Shane’s passing inspired a movement for free health checks across Australia. - The foundation’s part...

In this episode, we chat to Jenny Pearse (Marketing Consultant) and Nadia Docker (Compliance Expert) - to unpack what really matters when choosing a Financial Adviser. From communication style and credentials to compliance, scams, and digital presence, this conversation is packed with practical tips and real-world insights. What We Cover: ✅ What to look for in a financial advisor (and what to avo...

In this episode, Vanguard's Senior Investment Specialist, Libby Newman returns to share her deep expertise in investments, index funds, and Vanguard’s long-term philosophy. She explains how index funds offer broad market exposure and why they’re a smart starting point for investors. Libby also breaks down the difference between ETFs and managed funds, emphasising that (Within Vanguard Funds) b...

In this solo episode of The Grass is Greener, host Tim Henry dives into the essentials of superannuation and why it's time to take charge of your financial future. From recent controversies involving Shield and First Guardian to practical steps for checking your super via myGov, Tim breaks down the myths, the mechanics, and the must-dos. What you'll learn: - Why superannuation is more secu...

In this episode, we sit down with Suzanne Alexander, founder of Mindful Finances, to explore the deep connection between money, emotions, and personal values. Suzanne shares her journey from farm life to financial advisor and how her passion for understanding the psychology of money led her to redefine wealth. We unpack how true wealth is more than just numbers — it’s about alignment, choice, and...

In this episode, we sit down with Lucy Percy, estate planning lawyer and founder of Head and Heart Estate Planning, to explore the powerful benefits of a Testamentary Trust Willand how it differs from a standard Will. Lucy breaks down the key advantages of Testamentary Trusts, including: - Tax effectiveness for beneficiaries, especially minors - Asset protection from creditors, divorce, and financ...

The process of divorce can be a challenging one, of course this differs for everyone. What are the specific things that confront people (especially women) when they start to divorce? How do you move forward positively and with more confidence despite undertaking this sometimes time arduous process. Heidi Schwegler from AFS Financial and Jordan Vaka from Planning Solo discuss these challenges and p...