What Areas Do Financial Planners Cover? The Full Financial Service Menu

Written By James hayes

Summary

Planners design documented strategies for super, retirement income, investments, property, insurance, tax awareness, estate alignment, inheritance, Age Pension strategy, aged care, first‑home buying and ethical investing. James Hayes applies this to NSW clients with a plain‑English plan, fee clarity, and scheduled reviews after a complimentary triage call and whiteboard session. 

Table of Contents

Introduction

A good financial planner gives you structure, paperwork you can rely on, and a plan that joins the dots across super, investing, retirement income, insurance, tax awareness and estate intentions. The aim is clarity and follow‑through, not product push.  

Below is a full view of services planners typically cover, and where James Hayes focuses for clients in the Sutherland Shire and Sydney CBD. You will also see how the first call and fees work in practice.  

At‑a‑glance Table of Services

Here is a fast reference you can scan before reading the sections below. 

Area Typical Client Questions What You Receive
Superannuation & SMSFs Am I in the right fund? Should I run an SMSF? Contribution settings, fund or SMSF suitability, investment strategy, insurance inside super, rebalancing rules.
Transition to Retirement Can I work fewer hours without cutting income? TTR pension design, caps, timing, net-of-tax scenarios you can compare.
Retirement income How much can we spend each year with confidence? Drawdown ranges, sequencing-risk plan, pension start dates, review cadence, and paperwork.
Shares & ETFs What mix suits our risk and timeline? Evidence-based asset mix, drift guardrails, reporting and ongoing governance.
Property strategy Keep, buy, sell or debt-recycle? Cashflow map, loan structure settings, risk buffers, fit with your portfolio.
Ethical investing Can we reflect our values without losing the plot? Screens or tilts set in writing, product notes, cost and mandate summaries.
First-home buying How do we buy while keeping investments moving? Deposit plan, loan and offset settings, an investing approach that coexists with the mortgage.
Inheritance What is the tax angle and where should funds sit? Structure and timing plan, beneficiary nominations, document checklist, liaison with your accountant and solicitor.
Age Pension (strategy) How will means tests interact with our super? Scenario modelling and timing guidance; applications signposted to Services Australia.
Aged care planning What should we decide before a crisis? Funding options, asset choices, cashflow impacts, a timeline and roles for family meetings.
Wills & estate alignment Do our documents match our intentions? Advice-led alignment with your solicitor, nominations and review schedule.
Personal insurance What cover protects income and family? Needs analysis, product shortlist, structure advice, premiums in dollars with disclosure.
Process & fees What does starting look like and what will it cost? 15-minute triage call, first meeting, written proposal. Typical upfront fee if proceeding: $2,200–$6,600 depending on scope.

You can keep this table handy while you read the deeper sections below. 

Superannuation & SMSFs

Super settings often drive retirement outcomes more than day‑to‑day investing. Advice covers fund selection, salary‑sacrifice or personal contributions, investment mix, fees, insurance inside super, and—where suitable—SMSF design and trustee responsibilities. You receive a straightforward contribution plan and an investment policy you can follow at review time.  

Useful inclusions: 

  • Contribution plan (salary sacrifice/personal) with caps and dates 

  • Investment policy and rebalancing rules 

  • SMSF strategy statement and trustee responsibilities, if applicable 

For more information: 

Transition to Retirement (TTR)

TTR can supplement income when you reduce hours. The work sits in the modelling: pension commencement, contribution caps, tax effects and portfolio drawdown. James provides side‑by‑side “with TTR” and “without TTR” outcomes so you can weigh cashflow and balances before deciding.  

What James maps: 

  • Net income with and without TTR 

  • Super balance trajectory and buffers 

  • Practical “what to do when” steps for payroll and fund paperwork 

For more information: 

Retirement Income Planning

A reliable spending range depends on sequencing risk, inflation, and the order of withdrawals across super, personal investments and cash. James maps drawdowns, sets guardrails, and creates a review calendar so decisions are easier when markets move. Your plan includes a cash calendar for year one and rebalancing rules.  

Deliverables you can file: 

  • Drawdown and rebalancing rules 

  • “If‑this‑then‑that” response to market falls 

  • Year‑one cash calendar and documentation list 

Shares & ETF Investing

The focus is structure, diversification, cost control and behaviour. Expect an asset mix matched to your risk range, documented rebalancing triggers, reporting you can read quickly, and clarity on fees in dollars across advice, platform and funds. Ask to see a sample portfolio and a redacted review pack.  

Expect: 

  • Asset mix target and drift bounds 

  • Platform/fund research notes with fees and mandates 

  • A one‑page method you can repeat at each review 

For more information: 

Property Investment Strategy

Property decisions affect cashflow and risk across the whole household. James models buy/hold/sell choices by after‑tax cashflow, sets offset and repayment settings, and explains how property fits with your super and share portfolio. If you are considering debt recycling, you will see rules and safeguards before any move. 

James will cover: 

  • Buy/hold/sell comparisons by after‑tax cashflow 

  • Loan structure and offset settings 

  • How property interacts with portfolio risk 

For more information: 

Ethical Investing

If values matter, they should be written into your plan. James converts your preferences into clear screening rules or tilts, then shows performance and cost implications so you know what you are choosing. Your Statement of Advice and review notes will reference these settings.  

What’s captured: 

  • Screens that matter to you (e.g., fossil fuels, social criteria) 

  • Index/ETF or managed option comparisons 

  • Ongoing monitoring approach 

For more information: 

First‑home Buying for High-Income Households

High incomes still face time pressure and competing goals. The plan aligns deposit and settlement cash, loan structure and offset use, and an investment approach that keeps compounding while the mortgage reduces. This gives both momentum and resilience as life changes.  

Included: 

  • Deposit and settlement cash map 

  • Offset and repayment settings tied to pay cycles 

  • An investment plan that coexists with the mortgage 

For more information: 

Inheritance Advice

New capital and tax rules arrive together. James sequences decisions, sets holding structures, checks beneficiary nominations, and coordinates with your accountant and solicitor. You leave with a practical document list and a timeline for the next 90 days so nothing important stalls.  

We’ll clarify: 

  • Holding options and tax awareness 

  • What to do immediately vs what can wait 

  • Who to involve and when 

For more information: 

Age Pension (Strategy Only)

James advises on how asset and income tests interact with super, pensions and investments so you time your steps carefully. He does not complete Centrelink applications. Where applications are needed, you will be signposted to Services Australia or a specialist provider and will already know the numbers that drive the outcome.  

Covered: 

  • Means‑test impacts of different drawdowns 

  • Timing of pension commencements 

  • Evidence you can take to appointments 

For more information: 

Aged Care Planning

Families make better choices with a simple map. Advice covers funding options, asset decisions, cashflow, and which documents to prepare. Expect a timeline with roles for family members and a summary you can bring to provider meetings.  

Outputs: 

  • Accommodation funding scenarios 

  • Centrepiece spreadsheet and document list 

  • Family meeting notes you can share 

For more information: 

Wills, Nominations, and Estate Alignment

Financial plans and legal documents should match. James coordinates with your solicitor so wills, powers of attorney, and super nominations reflect the strategy. You receive a short brief for the solicitor and a review cadence for life changes that affect intentions.  

Expect: 

  • Clear brief for your solicitor 

  • Super nomination guidance (incl. reversionary options) 

  • Review cadence for life changes 

For more information: 

Personal Risk Insurance

Income protection, life, TPD, and trauma cover are sized to liabilities, dependants, and your tolerance for self‑insurance. You will see premiums and policy features compared in dollars. Commissions on life insurance can still apply within legislated caps and must be disclosed; many clients choose a fee alternative when suitable.  

What’s included: 

  • Needs analysis and structure recommendation 

  • Shortlist of providers with policy features and costs 

  • Annual review and claims support process 

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Services James Hayes Does Not Provide

Some planners manage Centrelink applications or debt consolidation. James Hayes does not offer these services. He will be clear when a request is outside scope and will recommend alternatives where possible so your time is respected.  

Documents to Bring

Recent super statements, investment summaries, payslips, loan statements, current insurance policies, wills and powers of attorney, and photo ID make the first meeting efficient. You will receive a tidy list beforehand, and a follow‑up pack afterward so records stay organised. 

What James Hayes Offers and How to Start

James focuses on Super & SMSFs, TTR, retirement income, shares & ETFs, property strategy, ethical investing, first‑home buying, inheritance, Age Pension strategy, aged care planning, and estate alignment with your solicitor. He is non‑bank aligned and operates on a client‑paid fee basis.  

Start with a complimentary 15‑minute triage call. If there is a fit, you will be invited to a longer whiteboard meeting. When advice proceeds, typical upfront fees range from $2,200 to $6,600 based on scope and complexity, with inclusions in writing before you commit.  

Ready to tidy the moving parts and get a plan that runs on schedule? Book your 15‑minute introductory call.   

FAQs

  • Yes. I map contributions, pension start dates, drawdown ranges, investment mix and tax interactions, then show you the numbers in a simple pack. If my advice will not improve your situation, I say so and point you to better‑fit options before you spend money.  

  • High incomes create choices and complexity. I install a cashflow system, set investment guardrails, align super and tax awareness, and establish a review rhythm. You get settings in writing and a calendar that keeps progress steady while life stays busy. Fees and inclusions appear in dollars.  

  • I advise on strategy and timing so you understand how rules affect your position. I do not lodge Centrelink forms. Where appropriate, I connect you with Services Australia or a specialist, and you go in with the right documents and figures.  

  • Yes. I check the deed, investment strategy statement, contributions, and governance, then assess diversification, costs and risk. You receive a written plan that you can implement with me or keep using your current providers. Reviews and responsibilities are clearly scheduled.  

  • You receive either a written proposal or limited‑scope advice. If you proceed, I deliver a Statement of Advice, help with implementation, and set a service calendar with agreed reviews and reporting. Typical upfront fees range from $2,200 to $6,600, based on scope. 

Disclaimer

The information in this article is provided as a general guide only. It does not constitute personal financial advice and should not be relied upon as such. Readers should seek advice from a licensed financial adviser before making any financial decisions. James Hayes and his associated entities accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or action taken in reliance on the information contained in this article. Links to third-party websites are provided for reference purposes only. We do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of their content. 

James hayes
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