A Retirement-Focused Policy Plan
Let’s play a little game.
What if I were running for political office? What policies would I introduce to truly capture the hearts—and votes—of Australians, particularly those nearing or already in retirement?
I’m Katherine Isbrandt from About Retirement, Certified Financial Planner, and today I’m stepping into the imaginary shoes of a political candidate. If I were campaigning, here’s how I’d build a platform that speaks directly to the needs of Australia’s most powerful voter demographic: those over 50.
Why Retirement Policy Should Dominate the Election
More than 50% of voters are aged 50 or over. That means retirement-related issues are no longer niche or secondary—they’re central to any serious election platform. Topics like:
- Superannuation
- Retirement income streams
- Age Pension
- Housing
- Healthcare
- Aged Care
- Cost of Living
Address these issues meaningfully, and you don’t just win votes—you secure trust.
My Policy Wishlist for Winning an Election
Here’s what I’d promise—then deliver:
1.Make superannuation rules reliable and stable
Stop changing superannuation rules each year with every budget. Stability and reliability of superannuation system is essential for retirement planning and the government should stop using our retirement savings as their political agenda and political games.
2. Financial Retirement Education
Although we have had the superannuation system in Australia since 1992, due to ongoing changes of the rules and complexity of the system, most people do not understand how super works, how contributions work, types of contributions that could be used for future retirement benefit but also for ongoing tax benefits, how tax operates within the superannuation environment, how pension funds work or benefits and negatives of withdrawals and why timing is of importance, tax implications or investment strategies.
Therefore I would introduce:
- superannuation education at the workplace
- in-person seminars
- tools to play with to see different financial outcomes based on different behaviors with our money
3. Update and upgrade of Rent assistance
As time goes by, there is a growing number of retirees renting or still carrying mortgages. Some of them might be forced to sell the home in order to retire mortgage free but then renting for life.
Rents are rising, there is a lack of affordable housing, and the Rent Assistance has not been keeping up with those market changes.
4. Improve Centrelink Age Pension application system
We have come across this issue on several occasions. And to us, it just does not make any sense.
Although the Centrelink office has all the information about that family, it will not start Age Pension payments for the younger spouse automatically when that partner reached the Age Pension age.
A big shake up and review of Centrelink administration and processes would be my immediate priority.
5. Downsizing the family home
Introduction of pre-calculated and pre-determined exemptions provided to those retirees not to have to suffer such losses at the time, when they no longer work and save. Therefore, stamp duty concessions could be introduced in the situation of downsizing during retirement.
Additionally, the exemption of the asset value from the proceeds of sale of the home from Age Pension means testing.
6. Over 50 to stay in the workforce
Older workers benefit the economy and their own financial wellbeing. I’d support this with:
- Tax incentives for workers and employers
- Enhancements to the Work Bonus system
- Grants or subsidies to encourage hiring and retention of older Australians
7. Medicare
Therefore I would:
Continue support and provision of incentives for GP practices to provide bulk billing, with possible bulk billing by other specialist practices over time
Review and updated rebates for essential medical services
8. Deeming rates
Deeming rates—used to calculate pension entitlements—have been frozen since July 2022. With no clear update for what happens beyond June 2025, retirees are left in the dark.
In uncertain times, I’d:
- Extend the deeming rate freeze by another year
- Adjust only if interest rates drop significantly
- Provide timely updates so retirees can plan with confidence
9. Make financial planning advice more affordable
The government’s proposal to let super funds provide “qualified advice” through under-trained staff is dangerous. Real financial advice requires real qualifications and experience.
Here’s what I’d do instead:
- Allow full tax deductibility for financial advice
- Enable advice to be paid via superannuation
- Remove unnecessary legal red tape that only increases costs
We need affordable, independent advice—not more product sales disguised as help.
Would You Vote for Me?
These aren’t just campaign talking points—they’re common-sense reforms backed by real retirement needs.
Which of these changes matter most to you?
Would you vote for a candidate with this kind of retirement agenda?
By: Katherine Isbrandt CFP®
Money Strategist & Retirement Planner
Principal of About Retirement
