Client Story 4: Kylie

Rebuilding Independence and Planning a Confident Retirement after Divorce

Background

Kylie came to EWK Private Wealth following a significant life transition. After a marriage breakdown, she finalised a property settlement and divorce and began to navigate her new financial future.

With adult children she didn’t want to rely on, Kylie was determined to remain independent, make informed decisions, and create a life on her own terms.

Summary of Client Issues

Kylie’s financial position post-settlement included:

• 50% of the sale proceeds from her former marital home.
• A rental property inherited from her mother, which came with a substantial capital gains tax liability.
• Several superannuation accounts and cash assets.
• A desire to upgrade her car, buy a new home, and retire in the near future.

She was uncertain if her assets would support retirement, particularly given the potential tax impacts of selling the rental property. Most importantly, she wanted to make decisions that preserved her financial autonomy and allowed her to live comfortably without becoming a burden on her children.

Risks and Concerns

Kylie was facing:

• A complex property transaction with significant CGT exposure.
• Dispersed superannuation accounts and uncertainty about how to maximise them.
• The need to plan carefully to ensure financial security and independence into retirement.
• Concerns about managing her estate and protecting her children and grandchildren from future risks or disputes.

The Reason to Take Action

Kylie wanted clarity and a roadmap. She needed to know whether she could afford to retire, how to manage the sale of her investment property efficiently, and how to create a lasting plan that aligned with her values.

EWK Role

EWK Private Wealth worked closely with Kylie to create a clear, strategic financial plan that addressed each of her needs:

• Superannuation Consolidation: Streamlined her accounts and retained a low-cost employer fund for insurance purposes.
• Tax-Efficient Property Sale: Obtained a retrospective property valuation and worked with a trusted property advocate to maximise the sale price and secure a deferred settlement.
• Retirement Preparation: Implemented personal concessional and non-concessional contributions, enabling Kylie to significantly boost her super and reduce tax liabilities across two financial years.
• Home Purchase and Lifestyle Planning: Coordinated the simultaneous sale and purchase of her new home, leaving cash available for furnishings, a car upgrade, travel, and an emergency buffer.
• Estate and Legal Planning: Engaged legal specialists to document her estate wishes and protect her children and future grandchildren from risks such as family breakdowns or financial disputes.

 Outcomes

Kylie’s financial life is now fully in order. She is on track to retire with over $1.2 million in retirement resources and will enjoy an income greater than her current after-tax salary—sustaining her well into her 90s with a likely surplus.

She has the flexibility to continue working, accept a retrenchment offer, or retire whenever she chooses.

Most importantly, Kylie has peace-of-mind. Her affairs are structured to ensure independence today, and to protect her legacy tomorrow. She is ready to enjoy her new home, her lifestyle, and the financial freedom she’s built with expert guidance—happy, safe, and in control.