PROPERTY EXPERT

Rachel Lane

The Retirement Living and Aged Care Guru
Exploring the realities of renting in retirement
Rachel Lane avatarRachel Lane
Homechevron_right
There's a lot to unpack when it comes to downsizing to head into a retirement village. Source: Getty.
Downsizing your home

‘How will buying in a retirement community impact the estate I leave?’

‘How will buying in a retirement community impact the estate I leave?’

Starts at 60’s free ‘Downsizing Essentials’ e-guide can help you break down the financials of retirement living in one simple exercise.
Unlocking cash after selling the family home could impact your pension depending on how you use it. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

‘If I release $600,000 in home equity, how will it impact my Age Pension?’

‘If I release $600,000 in home equity, how will it impact my Age Pension?’

Making the wrong move here could have the impact of entirely removing this reader’s pension eligibility.
Downsizing expert Rachel Lane says the two options are like apples and oranges. Source: Getty.
Retirement Villages & Lifestyle Communities

‘What’s the difference between a land-lease community and strata title?’

‘What’s the difference between a land-lease community and strata title?’

Land-lease and strata title are two of the most common types of property ownership downsizers have to choose from – and knowing which one suits you best is vital.
Downsizing expert Rachel Lane says people should avoid falling into the trap of thinking land-lease communities are just full of oldies. Source: Getty.
Money

‘I’m a young 52! Should I wait until I’m older to buy into a land-lease community?’

‘I’m a young 52! Should I wait until I’m older to buy into a land-lease community?’

You don't have to be 'old' or even retired to live in a land-lease community.
As this reader's assets increase, her pension may consequently be reduced. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

‘I’m worried that releasing $200K in home equity will impact my pension?’

‘I’m worried that releasing $200K in home equity will impact my pension?’

There are clever solutions that could allow this reader to downsize AND keep as much of her pension as possible.
Adding together all the building blocks of your finances will help to understand how much rent assistance you're eligible for. Source: Getty.
Financial planning

‘How much Rent Assistance can I get with a pension and nearly $600K in assets?’

‘How much Rent Assistance can I get with a pension and nearly $600K in assets?’

Bad news for self-funded retirees, as the rules around Rent Assistance are only applicable to those in receipt of a pension or government allowance.
Getting divorced can ignite a whole range of financial problems. Source: Getty.
Age Pension

‘If we divorce, can we still get the pension with $900K in cash and a $800K inheritance?’

‘If we divorce, can we still get the pension with $900K in cash and a $800K inheritance?’

Maximising Age Pension entitlement requires careful structuring of your assets, even in less complex situations.
Before heading down the path suggested by a financial planner, it's important to know both the risks and rewards. Source: Getty.
Financial planning

‘We want to buy a home and get ready to retire but have we got the right advice?’

‘We want to buy a home and get ready to retire but have we got the right advice?’

“We feel confused about where to go from here on how to best set ourselves up for retirement.”
If you're left tossing and turning at night from your investments, then they might not be the right ones for you. Source; Getty.
Financial planning

‘How can I tell if my financial adviser’s advice on my inheritance is too risky?’

‘How can I tell if my financial adviser’s advice on my inheritance is too risky?’

“I feel more confused and I’m worried about the decisions I’ve made since employing him.”

About Rachel Lane

Rachel Lane was a financial adviser who struck out on her own because she wanted to give older Australians better advice than they could receive from the mainstream money brands. As the founder of Aged Care Gurus, Rachel oversees an Australia-wide network of financial advisers who are committed to putting clients first with quality advice on all the financial aspects of downsizing, retirement living, home care and aged care. An independent thinker who is unaffiliated with any product provider, Rachel is regularly sought by government and peak bodies as a consultant, speaker and writer on issues in the sector, she holds a Masters in Financial Planning and, with Noel Whittaker, is the author of Aged Care, Who Cares? and The Retirement Living Handbook. Rachel and Noel have just published a third book, Downsizing Made Simple, that provides information and exercises designed to help 60-pluses make the right property decision for their lifestyle and budget. You can purchase a copy of Downsizing Made Simple here. Rachel says the close relationship she had with her own grandmother growing up is what drives her to push for the best deal for all older Australians.