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Chapter 3
Practical things
to think about
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What changes might
happen if I leave work or
reduce my hours?
It is important to think about these changes now in order to identify what activities
are important to you, and how you can prioritise what is important to you.
In the space provided below, write or draw some things that you think might
change about your lifestyle in your retirement.
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Talking to your employer
The diagram below is to help you and your employer look at the different stages
involved in your planning to leave work.
Am I ready to leave work?
I decide to leave work or
cut back my hours because
I am ready to leave or
no longer happy at work.
My work suggests I cut
back hours or leave due
to health and safety.
Start preparing by thinking about my needs and
talking to people.
Thinking about my options and making my decision
e.g. cut down hours, or start new activities.
Finishing work and moving on. Celebrate with
your friends, family and work mates.
Making sure this is working for me. Checking in
with my friends, family and old work place to see if
I am getting enough support.
Review every three months by talking to my supporters
about how I’m feeling now that I have finished work.
NO
Do I need extra support?
YES
ENJOY!
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Planning with your employer
If you have decided on a time-frame for leaving work (in Chapter 2), you may want
to discuss it further with your employer and get their opinions about it.
If you can meet with your employer when you plan to leave work,
they may be able to help you prepare for retirement by cutting
down your hours or help you to look at other possibilities.
Before you leave work - talk about:
• Cutting back your hours or days at work. This allows for more time to look for
other activities and supports in your community.
• Providing some time to help you plan your retirement.
• Making sure you are aware of your leave entitlements and how your wage might
change if you reduced your hours.
Other ways your workplace might
support you:
• Encouraging you to continue to come to work on a voluntary basis if you
wanted. Perhaps you could help new employees settle in?
• Keeping you up to date with social events at work so even after you have left
work you can still join in.
• Giving you the occasional phone call from your old workplace to check in and
see if everything is ok.
Can you think of any other ways that your employer could help
you prepare for leaving work?
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What to do with your
spare time?
When you leave work or cut back your hours you
might have some extra spare time.
What might be good about having more time?
What might be not-so-good about having more time?
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Weekly schedule
It can be helpful to write out a schedule of your week. This will show you how you
spend most of your time and when you have free time to try new things.
Below is an example of Sandra’s weekly schedule.
Day
Morning
Afternoon
Night
Monday
Work
Work
Watch TV
Tuesday
Work
Work
Spend time
with partner
Wednesday
Clean house
Free
Bowls
Thursday
Work
Work
Free
Friday
Free
Free
Social night
with work
Saturday
Family time
Free
Movies
Sunday
Church
Relax
Relax
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Your Weekly schedule
Can you write your current weekly schedule in this table, including the
times you are at work?
Can you see many empty spaces for other things to do?
Day
Morning
Afternoon
Night
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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What to do with your
spare time?
Do I have any spare time in my week?
Is it important for me to have spare time in my week?
What are some things I might like to do in my spare time?
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Can you still help at your
work after you retire?
Volunteering is when you give your time and energy
into something without getting paid for your help.
It can be a good way to meet new people, learn new
skills, or use the skills you already have.
Have you thought about volunteering at the place you work after you retire?
This is something you might want to talk to your employer about to see if it is an
option for you.
Write down some ideas of volunteering jobs you could do.
Where else in your workplace can you help out?
For other information on activities after leaving work see Chapter 4.
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Meet ‘Phil’
Phil usually works four days a week. Lately he feels like he needs to
cut back his hours because of some health issues.
He spoke to his supervisors, who listened to his concerns.
Phil also obtained information from his doctor about his health. The supervisors
arranged a meeting with Phil and Phil’s carer, Jan, and after listening to everyone, the
group found a solution.
Phil was going to move into a different section of the warehouse where
it wasn’t as physically demanding as his old section. They would also
made sure they had the right mobility aids (tools to make his work a bit
easier) to help Phil with his work.
Phil also looked at his budgeting (money) situation with the help of a
local free service. After doing some work with his guidance counsellor
they discovered some activities in his area that were affordable. Phil
decided to only work two days a week and try some new things on his
days off.
Phil now feels like he has some balance in his life. He feels he has some
more control around his health and has made some new friends after
joining a weekly computer course for over 50’s.
Discuss some of the ways Phil tried to put his health first
or other ways that he could.
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Your money
Some people may think that retirement is like living the weekend everyday (like
having time off and spending time and money on fun hobbies). However this is not
always the case.
Do you think retirement will be different to weekends?
Why?
It is important to think of how much money you have as
you will not be earning a wage when you leave work.
You might not be able to spend as much money everyday as
you do when you are working.
How much money will you
need when you retire?
Everyone uses their money differently. Some people keep a close
eye on their spending. Other people have help managing their money, and some
people have no idea where their money goes or what they spend it on.
When you retire you will need to manage your money very carefully.
Why do you think this might be important?
Now is a good time to start thinking about how much money it will cost to live
each week when you are not receiving a regular wage. Think about how much
money you will receive each week when you leave work. This is called budgeting
– which is knowing how much money you will get each week and how much you
will need to spend.
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How will your money
situation change?
How do you think your money situation will change if you leave work or cut back
your hours?
Do you manage your own money now? ______________________________________
Does someone help you manage some of your bills? __________________________
Does someone manage all of your money for you? ____________________________
Do you get any help to manage your money from the following?
Tick which box/boxes apply:
a family member
a friend
a guardian (for more information see Chapter 6)
the public trustee (for more information see Chapter 6)
Other ________________________________________________________________
See Chapter 2 on the social network circle if you need some ideas
on other people who can help you.
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What is Financial Planning?
When you plan for your retirement, part of that planning means making sure you
have enough money in your budget to live on when you retire. This is called
financial planning.
Financial planning can be complicated, so many people get professional people
called financial advisors to help them.
Centrelink has a free financial information service, with
Financial Information Service Officers (FISOS) who can help you.
You can contact this free service by phoning 13 23 00 or visiting
www.centrelink.gov.au/fis.
A FIS Officer might be able to answer your questions over the phone
but if your question is too complex you can book an appointment.
When you make your appointment, explain to the Centrelink
customer service person that you are planning for your retirement.
Before you go to your appointment, write down, or get help to
write down the questions you want to ask during your appointment
and take them with you.
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Other free financial
counselling services
Lifeline Financial First Aid
1300 370 255
www.lccq.org.au
Salvation Army Moneycare
07 3222 6666
www.salvos.org.au
Wesley Creditline
1800 808 488
www.wesleymission.org.au
There are also private financial advisors that you can seek advice from. Make sure
you ask for a quote before agreeing to receive their service as this is not a free
service. You can find a qualified advisor by visiting the Financial Planning
Association website – www.fpa.asn.au or by calling 1300 626 393.
Financial advisors can help you make plans for managing your money and can
help you with plans for saving money. They may also have ideas about how you
can invest your money until you need it during retirement.
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
If you need any help with translation services or
you are hearing impaired, the above services can
make arrangements to make sure you receive the
information you need.
Financial planning
Have you got any savings?
Have you got plans to build up your savings before you retire?
Can you discuss the differences between what you WANT to use your money on and
what you NEED to use your money for? Give an example.
Remember, there is no right or wrong answer (for example
a car or going to the movies are important to some
people, whilst money for bowling is important to others).
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What do you spend your
money on now?
Below are a few questions that you might like to discuss with a
person close to you or your support person. Write or draw in your
initial thoughts. You can come back to this later if you have to go
and research this question further to get a more accurate answer.
Discuss these
questions
First
Thoughts
Further
Thoughts
How much money do I
get now? (include any
pension or Centrelink
support, any money
from your employer
and any other money
you receive).
How much money
will I need when I
am not working?
What do I need to
spend money on?
How can I plan
ahead to make sure
I have enough
money for the things
that are right for me?
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
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What money will you have
when you retire?
Discuss the following questions.
Will you receive the Disability Support Pension or Age Pension when you retire?
YES
NO
How might you find out?
Have you thought about:
• Putting extra money aside for your retirement?
• Where you can get good information about managing your money?
• How much money you will need to have a happy retirement?
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
You might get the Age Pension instead of your Disability Support Pension if you are
old enough. When you reach a certain age you may also be able to receive your
superannuation payment (there is more information about this later in this chapter).
Remember, when you
leave your work you
will no longer be paid
by your employer.
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Transport and concessions
You may already have a travel concession card or a health concession card.
These cards are provided by Centrelink to help you pay for things like travel and
health care.
A concession is when you pay less money for something (like transport or
healthcare). Centrelink gives different concession and health care cards. When you
retire you may be able to get other concessions or health care cards to help you,
such as a Seniors Card.
You can talk to Centrelink about what you might be
entitled to receive.
A brochure that will help you is called 'A guide to
Centrelink concession cards'. It is available from your
local Centrelink Customer Service Centre or visit
www.centrelink.gov.au to get a copy.
You can also go to the Department of Community Services
website to see their guide on ‘Concessions Made Easy’
www.communityservices.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04 for
more information.
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
Getting advice from Centrelink
Centrelink can help with many things. Some people feel nervous or
don’t like going into Centrelink offices.
If you call up and explain your situation you can make an appointment with them
or find out if they visit any other places in your community where you could meet
with them rather than a Centrelink office (like the local community centre).
Everyone has different circumstances so it’s best to speak to
Centrelink and arrange to have a financial information interview to
get some information.
It can be helpful to take someone along with you for support.
Do you have a carer? If so they may be eligible for additional payments if you are
going to be at home more and need additional support.
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Your money, your budget
Let’s practice making a budget. Write down how much money you are getting NOW
and spending each week in the table below.
Income
Expenditure
- how much money
I receive each week)
(how much money
I spend each week)
Before Retirement:
• Rent
• Disability allowance
• Bills (electricity/water)
• Mobility allowance
• Food
• Salary
• Lunches
• Other income
• Phone bill
TOTAL ..............................................................................................
• Any debt or money owing
• Smoking
• Savings
• Clubs, Health clubs/gym
• Travel
• Foxtel
• Clothes
• Entertainment
• Medication
• Other
TOTAL ..............................................................................................
Remember, if you want extra help around understanding
your budgeting you can speak to Centrelink or to one of
the free financial counselling services listed earlier in this
chapter.
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What can you learn from
your budget?
Do you need to make any changes to your spending right now?
Will you need to make any changes to your spending when you retire?
Do you owe any money that is worrying you?
Mobility Allowance assists people living with disabilities who are eligible and cannot
Mobility
assists
people living
with
use public transport
without aAllowance
lot of assistance.
It’s important
to realise
you might
disabilities
whowhen
are you
eligible
useyou
public
not be entitled to mobility
allowance
leave and
workcannot
– make sure
think
transport
a lot of assistance.
It’s important
about this in your budget,
andwithout
speak to Centrelink
for more information.
to realise you might not be entitled to mobility
allowance when you leave work – make sure you
think about this in your budget, and speak to
Centrelink for more information.
“You’d be surprised at what you can cut out… I could
walk to the station instead of the 2 minute drive – good for
my health and money as well.” Bill, ADE employee.
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How can I prepare for having
less money?
To get an idea of what it might be like to live on a different budget, how
about having one week of practice?
Once you have a rough idea of how much money you think you will
have when you leave work, choose a week where you can think about
planning how you will spend your money.
Can you cut back your spending in any areas?
Discuss what things you could cut back on.
Can you think of any activities you could do that might not cost much money?
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How can I live on less money?
Can you think of some activities you may enjoy that are cheap or free?
Write or draw them in the yellow circles below.
See Chapter 4 for more information on activities
How much money will you need to spend on travel during the week if you are not
at work?
Remember you may be entitled to concessions, or money
off travel or activities.
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Tips to save on your
grocery bill
If you are interested in reducing your
expenses, your grocery bill is the best place to
start. It is the largest bill outside of fixed
expenses like rent and the results are instant!
Consider the following:
• Shop with cash.
• Don’t shop hungry.
• Shop with a list and stick to it!
• Plan your meals
• Go for specials
• Time your trip. Don’t shop right before holidays.
• Know your store’s discount times. i.e.: when catalogue sales start
• Know your prices. Compare junk mail items.
• Carry a small calculator. Keep a running total of your items in your trolley so you
won’t be embarrassed at the checkout.
• Stick to the two or three cheapest stores.
• Shop at larger stores. Larger stores are often cheaper than smaller ones.
• Find a baker outlet. Very early or late in the day items can be heavily discounted.
• Use sales coupons only if you actually need the item.
• Try not to take children shopping. If possible cook more than you
need and freeze half.
• Buy in bulk only if you use the item all the time.
• Consider buying the store brands, they are usually cheaper.
• Shop by yourself. Being distracted can be costly.
• Look high and low. Expensive products are purposely positioned
at eye level.
• Fancy packaging increases the price.
• Avoid cheaper or discounted meats with fat and bone.
• Avoid soft drinks, they are unhealthy and over priced.
Tap water is free and healthy.
• Buy things on sale. Buy enough when it’s on sale to last until the next sale.
• Think “Can I do without this?” rather than “Do I need this?”
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What is Superannuation?
Superannuation is a way of saving
money for your retirement. By
saving small amounts of money,
you can make sure you have enough money to
live on when you finish work. While you have been
working, you and your employer may have been
putting money into your superannuation account.
Do you know if your employer and you have put
any money aside for your superannuation?
For more information about
your super funds contact the
Australian Tax Office on 13 10 20
or visit www.ato.gov.au
Do you know which company is looking after your super fund?
Your employer can tell you where your superannuation is invested.
Find out the name and contact number of the person to speak to about your
superannuation (just ask your manager if you are unsure).
What do you need to know about your
superannuation?
Before you contact the superannuation company, it’s a good idea to plan ahead.
Write down the questions you want to ask and have them ready when you decide
to call. Here are some questions you could ask:
• How much superannuation do I have?
• When can I receive this money?
• Can I receive all the money at the same time?
• Can I receive small amounts of money each week?
• Can I pay more money into my superannuation before I retire?
• Can you tell me about the superannuation co-contribution scheme?
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
Don’t forget to collect the names or business cards of
people who have helpful information and advice.
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Information about
where to live
Leaving work may not affect where you live. If you are happy and safe where you
are, and you can afford to stay, then there may not be a reason for you to move
house.
If you are going to be moving house when you retire, you need to plan for it.
You might need to discuss your ideas for moving house with people you can trust
that can help make it happen. Your family members or your support workers might
be able to give you advice or help.
In order to work out where you might like to live you could talk to other
people you know about the types of homes they live in.
If you are renting you must make sure you keep the place clean and tidy. Being a
responsible tenant is important because there is a risk you may not be able to stay in
your place if it is not kept in a good state and your rent is not paid.
If it is getting too hard to do all the things you need to do, speak to a family member
or a support person and ask for help.
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
Asking for advice on housing
Ask people you know for housing advice about…
• What is good or bad about where they live?
• Do they have any ideas about the type of home that may suit you?
• If you will need things like wheelchair access, less stairs,
ramps or special equipment in your next home?
• Where is your local accommodation service?
• How do you get a discount with your housing costs (a concession)?
You can also talk to people at Centrelink about rental or housing concessions that
you might be entitled to when you retire. This could increase the money you will
have to pay rent and could improve the range of housing available to you.
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
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Where could you live?
Now let’s think about where you want to live and what housing options
are available in the town or community you want to live in. You can talk
to family, friends, or housing support about your different options.
You could live…..
• With a member of your family;
• In a hostel;
• In a nursing home;
• In a house you have rented;
• In a house you have bought;
• In a retirement village;
• In a group home;
• In a boarding house;
• In a caravan park;
• In a mobile home or
• In a granny flat.
If you have family and friends overseas or
you were born overseas you may wish to
go to that country.
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
Can you think of any other housing options? If so write or draw them below.
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Things to think about
Things to discuss about the different types of accommodation:
What are the good things about some of these types of accommodation?
What are the not-so-good things about some of these
types of accommodation?
What size place will be suitable for you?
Would you like to live by yourself or with others?
How much money a week can you afford to spend on rent?
© Commonwealth of Australia reproduced by permission
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If you sign a lease at a certain price, do you know how long the lease will stay at
that price? Discuss if or how you can afford to stay if the price goes up?
The Home Assist Secure Service aims to help with some of the practical
housing-related problems experienced by older people, and people living with a
disability, who wish to remain living in their home.
The service provides free information and referrals about home maintenance,
falls prevention, repairs and modifications and home security. Subsidised
assistance for minor home maintenance, repairs and modifications which relate to
health, safety and security, are also available for eligible clients. Details of this
service are on the next page.
For information about your rights in your tenancy (a tenancy is the
contract between the person who owns the property, also known
as the landlord, and the person who is renting the property, also
known as the tenant), you can contact the TAAS (Tenancy Advice
and Advocacy service). See next page for contact details.
If you want some more information about support to stay in your
home have a look at Chapter 6.
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Useful housing
telephone numbers
Use the telephone book (or the internet—more on this in Chapter 4) to find
the names and telephone numbers of places you could call for help or to
get more information.
Are there any others you can think of, or that someone else has mentioned?
Name of place
Phone Number
Website
Department of Housing
1300 880 882
www.public-housing.qld.gov.au
TAAS (Tenancy Advice
and Advocacy Service)
1300 557 245
www.tenancyadvice.org.au
Home Assist
Secure Service
1300 880 882
www.communities.qld.gov.au
(Under Community and Homelessness,
then Community Housing) or email
housingprovidermanagement@
communities.qld.gov.au
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Other useful numbers
74
Service
Contact details
Seniors Enquiry Line
1300 135 500
An information and referral service. For the cost
of a local call, Seniors Enquiry Line gives
Queensland seniors, their family, friends,
grandparents and carers access to information
on the following topics: seniors concessions,
social activities, household assistance,
retirement accommodation, financial and legal
matters, health, education, transport and many
other issues.
www.seniorsenquiryline.com.au
Centrelink Disability, Sickness and Carers line
132 717
Centrelink has established a dedicated phone
line to answer enquiries relating to Centrelink
payments and services for people with disability,
illness or injury and for carers. This phone line is
staffed by specially trained Centrelink Customer
Service Advisers.
www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/
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Well Done!
Now you have an idea about practical things to think about. Write or draw
any additional ideas you and your support person may have. You may wish
to put any main points in ‘My Road Map’ on page 16 of this handbook.
Notes
Notes by
by me
me
A Handbook for Australian Disability Enterprise Employees
Notes by my
support person
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