true wealth DECEMBER 2014
9 habits
OF HAPPINESS CREATE A POSITIVE LIFESTYLE
RETIREMENT THE +HIT + CAPITAL ROAD The great Aussie adventure
How to make the most of what you have
WE’RE HERE TO BENEFIT YOU — NOT OTHERS. YOUR SUPER’S IN GOOD HANDS, YOU’RE WITH NGS SUPER. At NGS Super, we will never charge our members ongoing commissions or sales incentives unlike some other super funds (like those owned by the big banks). Being an industry super fund means we’re run only to benefit members. You can be assured that profits certainly won’t end up in shareholder accounts. Over the past 10 years, NGS Super has outperformed the average retail super fund by over $17,000*. That means more money in your NGS Super account for retirement. Our goal is to help you to enjoy wealth — in every sense of the word. For more information please visit ngssuper.com.au or call 1300 133 177.
*Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance and should never be the sole factor considered when selecting a fund. Comparisons modelled by SuperRatings, commissioned by ISA Pty Ltd ABN 72 158 563 270 Corporate Authorised Representative No. 426006 of Industry Fund Services Ltd ABN 54 007 016 195 AFSL 232514. Modelled outcome assumes a starting balance of $50,000 and initial salary of $50,000 and shows 10 year average difference in net benefit of NGS Super’s Balanced option and the main balanced options of the 79 retail funds tracked by SuperRatings, with a 10 year performance history, taking into account historical earnings and fees – excluding contribution, entry, exit and additional advisor fees. Outcomes vary between individual funds. Modelling as at 30 June 2014. Consider NGS Super’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and your personal financial situation, needs or objectives, which are not accounted for in this information, before making an investment decision.
2026 (0914)
Issued by NGS Super Pty Limited ABN 46 003 491 487 AFSL No 233 154 the Trustee of NGS Super ABN 73 549 180 515.
WELCOME NEWS & NOTES
This issue of True Wealth is designed especially for our members aged over 50. By 2020, half of our members will be in retirement and so we are serious about helping our members make their retirement as enjoyable as possible. We focus on what our members require for what we like to call a ‘glorious retirement’. We have a great range of investment strategies and products, supplemented by advice and support. We are always listening to our members, and are constantly striving to improve everything that we do for them. In the last two years we have run a customer intimacy program to better understand member needs, wants and aspirations. This reinforced the fact that our members are an educated, caring community with a view of wealth that incorporates social concerns. We also support our members’ financial decisions through education with workplace workshops, financial planning seminars, active social media, this magazine, and our brand new website www.truewealth.com.au, providing a range of articles on a variety of wealth, retirement and lifestyle topics.
A mix of tidbits, from improving mental agility with yoga to sourcing solid financial advice.
NINE HABITS OF HAPPINESS
These simple steps can enhance your mental wellbeing and outlook on life.
THE FRIEND DILEMMA
Maintaining your social networks can be tricky as you age, but there is a lot that you can do to stay connected.
HIT THE ROAD
Is the great Australian road trip on your bucket list? For many retirees, it is a must-do adventure.
A NEWFOUND FREEDOM
Sometimes in life, when one door closes, another door opens—and retirement is no different, according to retiree George Chyer.
OLD-FASHIONED FUN
From scavenger hunts to craft ideas, these activities will keep kids entertained for less money than a cup of coffee.
NGS INCOME 13 THE GENERATOR
NGS Super’s Income Generator option has been named as a finalist for the best new product by independent agency SuperRatings. Is it the right option for you?
Anthony Rodwell-Ball, CEO, NGS Super
www.truewealth.com.au
www.facebook.com/ngssuper
www.twitter.com/ngssuper
www.pinterest.com/ngssuper
THE TRUE WEALTH TEAM NGS Super
Sophie Horwood Marketing Manager
Published by Hardie Grant Media
Managing Editor Sophie Hull
Designer Hayley Clark
Cover image Getty Images
Lisa Samuels Manager, Marketing and Strategy
Nicole Slarke Marketing Coordinator
General Manager Clare Brundle
Art Director Dan Morley
Illustrations Kev Gahan
Print Offset Alpine Printing
The information in True Wealth is general information only—it does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please assess your own financial situation, read the Member Guide (PDS) for any product you may be thinking of acquiring and consider seeking professional advice before acting on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
TRUE WEALTH
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+ INSPIRATIONAL READS Who Knows Tomorrow (Random House, $34.99) tells the story of Lisa Lovatt-Smith, who left a glamorous career at British Vogue to volunteer at an orphanage in Ghana. Lisa shares how she turned her life upside down to make a difference, and the challenges she encountered along the way.
We prescribe positivity
Stretching the mind Yoga may improve mental agility as well as physical flexibility. Research by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that older people who regularly engaged in hatha yoga could recall information more quickly, switch tasks and demonstrate greater mental flexibility. The small study included participants aged 55 to 79 who saw these results after attending yoga three times a week for eight weeks. Neha Gothe, lead author of the study, suggested that the results may be due to yoga’s stress-busting ability.
NEWS Living the NGS Super values NGS Super’s dedication to sustainability has ensured the fund is once again ‘Infinity’ recognised by independent ratings agency SuperRatings. For the third year in a row, NGS Super is one of a small, elite group of Australian super funds that show great commitment to environmental and social responsibility. NGS Super was also named one of the SuperRatings top ten pension funds of the year as well as a finalist for the best new product (for the Income Generator). To add to the winning streak, the fund also won SuperReview’s service level of the year award against stiff competition. To learn more about the fund’s social responsibility activities, visit www.ngssuper.com.au/about-ngs-super/who-is-ngs-super/ fund‑sustainability. 2 + TRUE WEALTH
Green light for green tea We know drinking tea has a plethora of health benefits, and a recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology has revealed that green tea can also help boost memory by enhancing functional brain connectivity. Researchers from the University of Basel, Switzerland, say the antioxidant-rich tea may even be useful in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
A positive attitude can boost your immune system and may help you to live longer, according to a recent study from the University of Queensland. The study followed 50 adults, aged 65 to 90, over two years, with the report finding that a positive attitude plays an important role in healthy ageing.
+ A TEA TO TRY The new Beaming with Health herbal tea range, created by naturopath Mim Beim, is designed with age-old herbal remedies. The range aims to help with a variety of health conditions from stress and anxiety to sleep issues and energy. www. beamingwithhealth.com.au
NEWS & NOTES
+ MEMBER ONLINE GIVES YOU MORE! NGS Super members with income stream accounts will notice some great updates enhancing their online experience. These updates include: + Online lump sum withdrawals: in three simple steps you can request and submit a lump sum withdrawal. The process is now fast and easy with no forms and no fuss.
+ Your ‘pension details’ page now provides a more in‑depth breakdown of your pension benefit. You can now view a breakdown of your preserved and nonpreserved (restricted and unrestricted) amounts and investments.
Make the most of NGS Super Talk it through
NGS Super’s customer service team is staffed by super specialists who can provide financial advice over the phone at no additional cost on a limited number of issues. The team can provide personal advice to help you make informed decisions about how to best manage your super. You can call 1300 133 177 between 8am and 8pm (AEST/AEDT) Monday to Friday to use this service.
Login to your account at www.ngssuper.com.au to learn more about these updates.
Get the full picture
Learn more about NGS Super’s performance and strategic direction in the Annual Report 2014. You can download this from www.ngssuper.com.au or call 1300 133 177 to be sent a hardcopy version.
IMAGES: ISTOCK
Get moving, men! Physical activity is the key to healthy ageing for men, according to a 2013 study by the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The study involved more than 12,000 Australian men aged 65 to 83 over 11 years. Over the course of the study, the findings showed that active men were 1.4 times more likely to perform basic activities of daily living, such as doing housework, and
had higher cognitive function when compared to inactive men. What’s more, the report revealed 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week can help with healthy ageing. With the report in mind, the Australian Government’s Department of Health has established a new set of guidelines for 18- to 64-yearolds to enhance physical and sedentary behaviour, including:
+ Accumulate 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity each week. + Do muscle strengthening activities on at least two days each week. + Minimise the amount of prolonged sitting and break up long periods of sitting as often as possible.
Financial advice part of the package
NGS Super financial planning provides the option to deduct advice fees from your NGS Super account. This service was expanded to include non-NGS Super financial advisers (within a stated framework) from November 2014.
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9 habits of HAPPINESS Do you choose to be happy? Even small steps can enhance your mental wellbeing and outlook on life. Incorporate these activities into your day to keep things looking up. By Sophie Hull
H
appiness is not just a feeling when everything in our lives is going well. Dr Timothy Sharp, psychologist, author of Live Longer, Live Happier and founder of the Happiness Institute, says happiness is about more than positive emotions such as joy or satisfaction.
“Happiness is also about thriving; living a life with meaning and purpose and having positive relationships,” he says. A major contributor to happiness is how we live our lives and the choices we make. Here are some simple ways you can practise and develop the skill of happiness.
2. Appreciate what you have
“We often look to the wrong places for happiness, like material possessions, or thinking ‘I’ll be happy when…’ All that does is delay happiness indefinitely and sets us up for disappointment,” says Dr Sharp. To get out of this mentality, try keeping a gratitude journal on paper or with an app such as Happy Tapper. Make note of three things each day that you are grateful for, even simple things like sunshine or a good meal, and you will likely find that a positive outlook becomes more innate.
3. Nurture your relationships 1. Look after yourself
Physical health and wellbeing play a huge part in happiness. To maintain this we need to ensure we are getting enough sleep, eating well and adding exercise into our daily lives. “Historically there has been a mind and body separation but that’s increasingly not relevant and [we know] everything is interconnected. In order to feel and be our best we need to look after our physical bodies,” says Dr Sharp. 4 + TRUE WEALTH
It’s not a new idea that meaningful relationships increase our feelings of happiness. Social connections have a positive impact on our happiness, our health and even how long we live. The Social Relationships and Health report by University of Texas researchers says there are “many types of scientific evidence” to back this up. Sometimes we forget that these ever-important relationships need work to establish and maintain. To maintain relationships, commit to spending quality time with the people you love and think about how you can show them you care.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
4. Set goals
5. Be m indful
Setting goals or objectives can help keep us motivated. They also give us things to look forward to and help us see that difficult moments are a means to an end. “Anyone who has worked towards anything knows it involves blood, sweat and tears, and ultimately it is worth it. Living a good life sometimes involves putting aside pleasure so we can work towards something bigger,” advises Dr Sharp.
Mindfulness and meditation are concepts that have been around for thousands of years to aid mental health and reduce stress. As they have become increasingly popular, countless resources to develop these skills are available. A good place to start is a free trial on the Headspace meditation app or reading Why Mindfulness is Better than Chocolate by David Michie.
6. Define your purpose
Finding your passion and meaning for life is important, especially for those heading towards retirement. It’s common for people to identify themselves as their job title, and to feel lost when that title no longer applies. “In my research I’ve found that a significant group of people post retirement say ‘I’m no longer an engineer or a teacher, so who or what am I?’ They lose their sense of identity and it’s important to have that,” says Dr Sharp. One way to clarify your own purpose is to ask yourself the following questions: What are you passionate about? What are your values? What are your strengths?
7. Help others
Volunteering Australia reports that volunteering produces health benefits such as happiness, health and longevity. This could be the result of the added purpose it brings to your life, the social interaction involved, or through the satisfaction of helping others. Find volunteering opportunities at www.volunteeringaustralia.org.
IMAGES: ISTOCK
8. Get outside regularly
Take time to get some fresh air and appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors. For inspiration, look to the results of the 30×30 Nature Challenge by the David Suzuki Foundation where in 2014, more than 10,000 people committed to getting out into nature for 30 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days. The lead researcher Dr. Elizabeth Nisbet said that participants “reported significant increases in their sense of wellbeing, feeling more vitality and energy, while feelings of stress, negativity, and sleep disturbances were all reduced.”
9. Join a choir
Singing in a choir can be more than a nice hobby and could actually boost your psychological wellbeing, according to a study by Oxford Brookes University. The benefit to wellbeing was even greater than those who sang alone or did team sports in squads. David Francis, General Manager of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, says that choristers get a huge amount out of singing together. “Singing is really good for you in terms of physical and mental health but it’s the communal experience that you can’t get as a solo singer. In a choir I’m part of something that is absolutely greater than the sum of the parts.” Sydney Philharmonia Choirs has a range of choirs, from open access choirs to professionalstandard groups that sing with the likes of Andrea Bocelli and the Rolling Stones. As a lifelong choir member himself, David believes in the joy of choral singing. “You are coming together on a regular basis as a really diverse group of people. You get extraordinary opportunities to perform and as a community you are going on that journey together.” Find a choir near you on the Australian National Choral Association website www.anca.org.au.
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THE F RIEND
dilem m a Maintaining your social networks can be tricky as you get older, but there is a lot that you can do to stay connected and improve your mental and physical health. By Angela Tufvesson
O
ne morning as you flip through an empty diary, you realise your friendship circle has dwindled, and with it your social life. It could be that over the years you have fallen out of touch with people, or that you recently lost your partner to illness or divorce and are struggling to keep up with friends you shared as a couple. Loneliness can be common at any age but it’s particularly prevalent as we get older—and the reasons are many, says Ann Evans from Lifeline Australia. However, there are things that you can do to reverse this situation and to reignite old connections. “Loneliness can particularly be an issue for people over 50 due to the amount of losses they may have experienced in their life, particularly if they’re not working,” she says. “You often lose a lot of social connections when you stop working, and if you’re not careful about keeping those up it can be easy to become a bit more isolated. “It’s also more common to have lost loved ones like your partner, your family, your friends and your children, who
6 + TRUE WEALTH
may have moved away. Another factor is chronic illness, which might prevent you from getting out as much as you did when you were younger.” Andrew Collins from the Benevolent Society says financial disadvantage and caring responsibilities can limit social mobility and contribute to loneliness. And the perceived stigma can mean we’re less likely to seek help. “Some research suggests that loneliness is perceived as a private matter and people are less willing to disclose that they feel lonely,” says Collins. This is concerning as long periods of loneliness can have a significant effect on mental and physical health. “Social isolation is certainly a risk factor for mental health problems such as depression and anxiety,” says Evans. “We know that mental and physical health are very much related so people who are mentally healthy tend to have better physical health and vice versa.” So what can you do to boost your social networks? While it may be a little intimidating, Evans says it’s important to take action as soon as you can. “There might be a community organisation that you can join to meet people or friends you haven’t contacted recently.” You could even use your existing networks of family and friends to make new connections. You could ask if they know anyone else in your area that they think you might get along with. Although it might be nerve-wracking, you haven’t got much to lose by having a quick coffee with someone you
LIFESTYLE
Top tips for staying connected
1
Use technology to connect. Social networking sites like Facebook and online tools like Skype are perfect for keeping in touch with family and friends who live interstate or overseas.
SOURCES: LIFELINE; BETTER HEALTH CHANNEL VICTORIA. IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES
3 haven’t met before, and they may become a valuable friend. Following your interests to make connections is also effective—having an activity means there is less pressure and you will have something in common with the people you meet. Love reading? Try your local library’s book club. Love walking? Try a Heart Foundation walking group (www.heartfoundation.org.au/active-living/walking). Need some inspiration? Try a community college to learn a new skill, like photography or a language. If you are feeling proactive, you can even start your own interest group through Meetup (www.meetup.com), a website that gives a platform for local groups to connect. Collins says activities and social connections that provide you with personal meaning will have the greatest impact on feelings of belonging, for example, volunteering for an organisation that strongly aligns to your values or interests. “Identify activities that provide you with satisfaction and, importantly, meaning. The biggest tip is to maintain those activities even though it can be difficult to juggle them with caring and family responsibilities.” And those activities don’t have to be conventional; technology can be a great way to connect. Collins gives the example of a 70-year-old woman who the Benevolent Society recently helped digitally reconnect with family in Scotland. “She now Skypes regularly with her family, which has improved her social connections and general wellbeing,” he says.
4
Look out for others. Loneliness is common so it’s likely someone close to you may also be struggling with social isolation.
Volunteer at a local community organisation. Helping others is a great way to feel more connected and meet people with similar values.
5 6
2
Consider getting a pet. Furry and feathered friends can provide support during times of isolation, illness and stress.
Get support. “When things have become quite severe you need to think about getting some help,” says Ann Evans from Lifeline Australia. “The most important thing is not to ignore it.” Talk to your doctor, a registered counsellor or call a helpline such as Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.
Learn and practise effective communication. If you haven’t had to make new connections in a while, you might lack the confidence to start. Practise your small talk with anyone you can, like neighbours or even a friendly waitress or health professional. And you can relearn skills with books like The Fine Art of Small Talk by Debra Fine and Conversationally Speaking: Tested New Ways to Increase Your Personal and Social Effectiveness by Alan Garner.
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FAMILY
Hit the ROAD For many grey nomads, ticking off Australian destinations on their all‑important bucket list is one of life’s greatest pleasures. By Carla Grossetti
M
eg and Bob Fisher-Gardiner love the romance of rattling along on the open road. The two retirees spent their working lives in Tamworth and for the past 30 years have been touring the length and breadth of Australia in instalments. Having recently returned from a trip to Goondiwindi in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, the couple is already dreaming up their next big road trip. “Both Bob and I have a love for nature,” says 66-year-old Meg. “It’s a spiritual experience for us to feel connected to the wilderness. It makes us appreciate how insignificant we are as human beings and that’s quite humbling.” “To be part of the countryside as it gets more and more remote is really liberating. There’s nothing like the Australian landscape. The desert, the gorges, the Daintree, the dunes, the beaches with not another soul around… we love everything about it,” says Meg. The couple, who relocated to Lennox Head 13 years ago, say it feels like a genuine escape when they swing the wide hips of their off-road camper trailer onto the highway. While many grey nomads prefer the comfort of powered sites and caravan parks, the Fisher-Gardiners go as far into the heat-shimmering emptiness of outback Australia as they can.
RETIREMENT
1. Innam incka, SA
Innamincka on the Outback Loop is an iconic detour. Follow the Three-Corner Adventure itinerary that starts at Cameron Corner (where Queensland meets South Australia and New South Wales), heads to Haddon Corner (where South Australia meets Queensland), and finishes at Poeppel Corner (where Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory meet). Innamincka has a population of 12 people.
2. El Questro Wilderness Park, WA
Off-road enthusiasts will enjoy exploring this extraordinarily beautiful park in the heart of the Kimberley in Western Australia (pictured). The park is subject to flooding and is only open during the dry season from April 1 until October 31.
3. Julia Creek, Qld
IMAGES: TOURISM AUSTRALIA
3 m ust-sees for grey n om ads
“We free-camp near rivers and in the desert and are pretty self-sufficient,” explains Meg. “We fish for yabbies and hunt rabbits, wild ducks and kangaroos to live on, so our experience is more extreme than most.” “Whether we are in tourist areas or off the road, we always meet wonderful people. We go away for three months every year and have doubled our Christmas card list with the people we’ve met,” says Meg. Between them, Bob and Meg have nine daughters, 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild, all of whom are located around New South Wales. The pair have travelled everywhere from Chillagoe in northern Queensland to Chinchilla in the Darling Downs region and say there is nothing like the joy that comes from having the sky as your ceiling. However, practical considerations also come into play. “We take our trips very seriously. We’re mindful of the weather, we take a satellite phone and we’re well-equipped with a first-aid box, emergency water supply and extra fuel. We also always
This flyspeck of a town is on the Overlander’s Way, which stretches from Tennant Creek to Townsville. The town’s population of 600 swells during the Dirt n Dust festival in April, an action-packed weekend that includes a triathlon, gala race day and bull ride.
IT’S A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE FOR US TO FEEL CONNECTED TO THE WILDERNESS. IT MAKES US APPRECIATE HOW INSIGNIFICANT WE ARE AS HUMAN BEINGS AND THAT’S QUITE HUMBLING. check in with the police station when visiting remote communities,” says Meg. “Being retirees, we also try and stick to a budget when we’re on the road. We invest in health insurance and insure the car, camper and contents to plan for the worst-case scenario. We buy food that lasts, such as oranges, potatoes and pumpkins, and we only ever stock up in big townships,” she says. Superintendent Robbie Medlin, Executive Manager of the Central West Local Ambulance Service Network in Longreach, Queensland, says grey nomads can stay safe by doing a few simple things. The most important of which is to make sure
their vehicle is in good working order and to avoid driving long distances when feeling fatigued or unwell. “One of the key messages we tell grey nomads is that they must bring enough prescription medicine to last their trip as they may not be able to get the script filled in a remote township,” says Robbie. “Staying hydrated is also crucial.” “Travellers also need to be aware that we don’t always have great mobile coverage in the outback. So as well as having a satellite phone, it’s important to take note of landmarks in case you’re involved in an incident as you will need to assist paramedics in finding your location.” TRUE WEALTH
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RETIREMENT
A NEWFOUND freedom
R
etirement. It’s a word that doesn’t often have a lot of significance until you reach your mid-50s. And then, suddenly, it’s a common topic for discussion. “How much do you need to retire?” “When are you going to ‘pull the pin’?” For 61-year-old George Chyer from Adelaide, an NGS Super member and a former secondary school teacher who retired 12 months ago, it was a decision that he put plenty of time and thought into. “During the last three years of my teaching career I went part time so I could gradually step back from work,” says George. “That can be difficult to organise but I’d encourage anyone to do the same. I also needed those three years to become comfortable with the idea of retiring, and give myself enough time to surround myself with people who understood finance.” Since pulling the pin, as he cheerfully refers to it, George’s life has taken a whole new turn. His suit-and-tie wearing days of a teaching career spanning more than 40 years have been replaced with laidback quintessential Australian attire: shorts and sandals. Whether it’s perusing The Australian paper over a mid-morning cappuccino, watching a weekly flick at the cinema, or cooking dinner for his wife Meredith, 54, and son William, 17 (the last of three children still living at home), George appreciates his life more than ever before. “I have so much freedom now,” he says. “There’s another life after retirement and it’s opened up a whole new door.” One such way George is enjoying his newfound freedom is through painting. Although he studied at the South Australian School of Art and has long had a passion for painting, George’s last artwork pre-retirement was 10 years ago. “I told myself that I’d take it up again when I retired—and I have!” he says happily. “I donated a piece to my son’s school for a fundraiser and I haven’t stopped. That followed with the older kids [Megan, 30, and Edward, 27] both asking me to paint them a piece when they got engaged to their partners.” Keeping fit and healthy is another way George likes to spend his time. Five mornings a week he trains at the gym
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and he says he’ll start playing golf again when more of his friends retire. “Keeping healthy is of prime importance, as you would imagine, when you retire,” he says. While there are plenty of pros to retirement, it can also have its challenges—the most important of which, says George, is managing your finances. However, if you plan along the way and seek appropriate financial advice, you’ll be well prepared. “I found that salary sacrificing was of great benefit to me,” he says. “When I was 55 I was also advised to implement an income stream, in pension form, from my super and at the same time I looked at all of the insurance policies I had and consolidated them. That proved to be a good move.” George says it was just before he turned 55 that he starting putting plans in place for his retirement with NGS Super, which he has been a happy member of for more than 20 years. Every 12 months he consulted with a financial planner to get advice, he made use of the free seminars on offer by NGS Super, kept abreast of the industry by reading the finance pages of the paper, and talked to people to learn from their experiences. “You have to make sure you’re sensible and don’t act on a whim,” says George. “See a financial planner and get lots of advice.” One of the key reasons George has remained with NGS Super for so many years is because of the fund’s ‘first‑class service’, as he describes it. For the first 10 years of his membership, George’s client relationship liaison was John Pedersen, a helpful, personable man who always looked after him. Stepping into John’s place and seeing George into his retirement was Thomay Gatis. “When I told Thomay that I was going to call it quits her response to me was: ‘George, I think you’ve retired and you don’t know it yet,’” laughs George. “Thomay was fantastic in the lead-up to my retirement. She explained things beautifully and made me feel very comfortable and that I was her priority. It made me feel secure—and that’s what I needed at that time in my life.”
IMAGE: MEG HANSEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Sometimes in life, when one door closes, another door opens—and retirement is no different, according to retiree George Chyer. By Kristy Barratt
FAMILY
THERE’S ANOTHER LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT AND IT’S OPENED UP A WHOLE NEW DOOR.
DEVELOPING CHILDREN
Old-fashioned
FUN
Enthral kids with these simple yet fun ideas that cost less than a cup of coffee each. By Olivia Richardson
Of course, make sure there’s plenty of room and soft spots around the area in case they slide off.
Although technology can be fun and educational, nothing beats grass roots, quality-time entertainment. And it helps kids (and you) to be more active, fit and healthy. Try these ideas that they’ll remember for years to come.
+ Play dough
Kids don’t need flashy gadgets to be entertained. Take inspiration from what you loved doing when you were young. You could climb trees, fly kites, stomp in puddles, skim stones, finger paint, make mud pies, build cubby houses, play dress-ups, paint faces, feed ducks, camp, have teddy bear picnics, cook, hike, play games, swim at the beach and make sandcastles.
Run a scavenger hun t
Give kids a timeframe, a list of things to find, a pen to cross things off and a bag to stash the loot. Reward their work with a treat once they’re done. Scavenger hunts teach kids to solve problems, follow instructions and gets them in the fresh air.
Turn your backyard in to a water park
Who doesn’t love playing under a sprinkler on hot days? Boost the fun by adding a makeshift slippery slide. Secure a large plastic sheet, available from hardware stores, on a slight hill, add a squirt of dishwashing detergent and water from a hose. 12
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Mix 1 cup flour, 1 cup water, cup cooking salt and 1 tbsp cream of tartar in a saucepan over medium heat until thick. Cool, add 1 tbsp cooking oil and knead over a floured bench. Divide into balls, add food colouring to each, then knead.
+ Bath bombs
Whisk cup bicarbonate of soda and cup citric acid. Add 1 tbsp of scented massage oil and whisk. Spray water on mixture while squishing with your hands, until it clumps together. Press into ice cube trays or silicon moulds, and leave overnight to set.
Hold craftern oons
Make things from household items and glue, such as spiders made from painted egg cartons and pipe cleaners, paper mache creatures (balloon, newspaper and paint), cloud mobiles (paper, cotton balls, string, and foil for raindrops), pasta gingerbread houses (paint bow, spiral and penne pasta, and glue to a wooden craft birdhouse), button heart cards (trace a heart cookie cutter, then glue buttons on top), puffy paint bracelets, paper-weaved placemats, and juggling balls (balloons and rice). Get step-by-step ideas at www.mistermaker.com, www.cleverpatch.com.au and www.club.chicacircle.com (the latter is best for tween girls).
IMAGE: ISTOCK
Go back to basics
Make your own...
WEALTH
THE NGS
Incom e Generator NGS Super’s new Income Generator investment option, available exclusively to NGS Income Stream members, was recently named as one of four finalists for SuperRatings’ Best New Product of the Year award.
The Income Generator is a different type of post-retirement investment product, and should be a suitable option for many NGS Income Stream members in the 65-80 year age band— particularly female members who have a higher than average life expectancy. NGS’ Income Generator is different from other investment options in that: + It has separate investment objectives for income (dividends, rent and interest earned) and capital (the account balance in the option). + It credits the income it generates to a different investment option (the nominated option for pension income drawdowns). + It has the objective of preserving and growing the original capital over time. In addition, it is actively managed to provide some protection for the capital invested during difficult investment periods.
Your questions answered
WHAT IS IT?
An account-based pension investment option available to NGS Income Stream members.
WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR?
Retired members who are in the ‘active retirement’ age range (65‑80). Income Generator is less suitable for older members, in part because of the higher legislated minimum income stream drawdown percentage.
WHY IS IT DIFFERENT?
+ Income stream: NGS Super aims to produce consistent
OBJECTIVES
+ To provide consistent income greater than the Reserve Bank of Australia Cash Rate. + To grow pension assets in retirement at a rate greater than the consumer price index (CPI). + To achieve these objectives in 5-7 years.
HOW ARE THE OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED?
Firstly, NGS selects investments that are ‘fit for purpose’, based on one or more of the following characteristics: + Capital preservation + Regular stable income + Inflation offset + Capital growth + Risk mitigation The tactical asset allocation range is used to respond to changes in the investing environment. This strategy moves asset allocations dynamically, seeking primarily to manage risk but also to improve returns. A proprietary macro indicator is used. Lastly, an additional equity risk management process is used to reduce equity market exposure during times of high sharemarket volatility. A proprietary targeted volatility trigger is used to scale down equity exposure when short-term market volatility exceeds predefined levels.
Wan t m ore in form ation?
For more information, call an NGS Super financial planner on 1300 133 177 or download the fact sheet at www.ngssuper.com.au/ assets/Downloads/your-incomestream-investments.pdf.
income returns that are credited to another selected investment option (such as cash and term deposits), and available for drawdown as your income stream in retirement. + Capital: NGS Super aims to preserve and incrementally grow your Income Generator account balance, up to age 80. The intention is that over the medium term your capital should not be depleted by investment losses, drawdowns to meet your retirement income needs or inflation. + Risk management: NGS actively manages your Income Generator account to provide some protection for your capital in difficult markets. The portfolio has explicit tools and techniques to manage the volatility of the option, so it narrows the variability of investment outcomes and delivers a smoother and more dependable investor experience.
ENHANCE YOUR INCOME STREAM
The adequacy of the Income Generator retirement income stream will be enhanced if it is supplemented by other income sources such as the age pension or your partner’s income.
IS IT GUARANTEED?
The NGS Income Generator is not guaranteed.
TRUE WEALTH
+ 13
WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU IN RETIREMENT. REST ASSURED.
NGS Super members dedicate their working lives to supporting our communities and looking after the wellbeing of others. So when it comes to your retirement, it’s only fair you have someone look after your wellbeing. When you retire and become an NGS Income Stream member, you’ll have the support you need on every level. Our financial planners provide personal guidance and face-to-face contact to help you make informed decisions. Our Customer Service Team is available over the phone for extended hours so you’ll receive personal help and advice over the phone when you need it. Support is also available online with easy-to-use education tools and services, so you can build your knowledge in your own time - and on your own terms. You can securely access your income stream information online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Of course as a consistently highperforming low cost industry superfund, we’ll ensure your money keeps working hard for you once you put your feet up. For more information visit ngssuper.com.au or call 1300 133 177.