Author: Nick Little, Principal Financial Adviser at Professional Private Wealth
Your Most Valuable Retirement Asset Isn’t Your Super
Nick Little - August 31, 2026
Building wealth is important. Keeping the ability to manage it may be even more important.
New research suggests that up to 45% of dementia cases may be delayed or prevented through lifestyle choices made during midlife.
Dementia and Retirement Planning
A client once told me that his father could remember every share purchase he’d ever made, yet one day couldn’t remember where he’d left the car.
It started with little things. Forgotten appointments. Repeated stories. Small lapses that seemed almost normal. Years later, the diagnosis arrived: dementia.
As financial advisers, we spend a lot of time discussing investment strategies, retirement income and estate planning. Yet every one of those decisions relies on a single requirement: mental capacity. Without it, even the best financial plan becomes difficult to manage. That’s why recent dementia research caught my attention.
Scientists increasingly believe that what we do during our midlife has a greater impact on future brain health than previously thought. The challenge is that dementia often begins years before symptoms become obvious.
The encouraging news is that researchers estimate up to 45% of dementia cases may potentially be delayed or prevented by addressing known risk factors.
The Biggest Contributors
The biggest contributors aren’t particularly glamorous:
- Staying physically active
- Maintaining good cardiovascular health
- Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep
- Completing at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week
- Spending less time sitting
- Avoiding smoking
- Managing hearing health
- Continuing to learn through reading, writing and education
When most people think about retirement planning, they think about growing wealth. But perhaps part of retirement planning should involve protecting the person who will ultimately make the decisions. After all, most of us don’t spend decades building financial security simply to accumulate money. We do it to maintain choices, independence and control over our lives for as long as possible.
Source: Recent dementia research referenced by The Washington Post.
Nick’s Take
The best retirement plan in the world won’t help much if you’re not healthy enough to enjoy it.
One of the most striking findings from recent research is the powerful role that physical activity appears to play in reducing dementia risk. The walking group, gym session, bike ride or game of golf you do in your midlife may be contributing just as much to your future wellbeing as the contributions going into your super.
We often think of exercise as something that helps us live longer. Increasingly, the evidence suggests it may also help us stay sharper, more independent and in control of our own affairs for longer too.
Wondering whether your retirement plan is prepared not just for market risks, but for the possibility of losing decision-making capacity later in life? A conversation can help ensure your financial plan, estate planning documents and longer-term wishes are structured to protect both your wealth and your independence. Get in touch with Professional Private Wealth to book a conversation with Nick on 0408 702 056 or click below.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The information provided in this communication is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information in this communication you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.
This communication may contain certain ‘forward looking’ statements. Forward looking statements, opinions and estimates provided are based on assumptions and contingencies which are subject to change without notice, as are statements about market and industry trends, which are based on interpretations of current market conditions. Forward-looking statements including projections, indications or guidance on future earnings or financial position and estimates are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as an indication or guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that actual outcomes will not differ materially from these statements.
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Australia is entering the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in its history.
Is your family prepared for the conversations and planning needed to ensure your legacy is passed on as intended?
One of the biggest financial shifts in Australian history
Over the next two decades, the western world is expected to experience one of the largest transfers of wealth ever seen, as Baby Boomers pass assets to their loved ones.
For many families, this wealth transfer will include:
- The family home
- Investment properties
- Superannuation balances
- Share portfolios
- Cash savings
Yet surprisingly, many families have never had a meaningful conversation about their financial wishes.
Why Communication Matters
Money can be a difficult topic. We often worry that discussing inheritance may create unrealistic expectations, while our beneficiaries may feel uncomfortable raising the subject.
The result? Assumptions are made, misunderstandings occur, and valuable opportunities for planning can be missed.
More Than Just a Will
Having a valid Will is important, but effective estate planning often goes further.
It may involve:
- Reviewing beneficiary nominations
- Considering powers of attorney
- Understanding superannuation death benefits
- Planning for aged care needs
- Minimising potential family disputes
Sharing Family Values
Many of us want to pass on more than wealth.
We want future generations to understand the values that helped create it:
- Hard work
- Financial responsibility
- Generosity
- Long-term thinking
Open discussions can help ensure wealth becomes a positive legacy rather than a source of conflict.
Starting the Conversation
You don’t need to discuss exact dollar amounts immediately.
A simple conversation could begin with:
- “Have you thought about your own estate planning?”
- “Do you know where our important documents are kept?”
- “What would you want us to know if something happened to you?”
Small conversations today can prevent significant stress in the future.
Nick’s Take
The most successful wealth transfers are rarely just about money.
They’re about providing clarity, reducing uncertainty, and giving future generations the confidence to manage their financial lives wisely.
Not sure how to start the conversation or whether your estate plans still reflect your wishes? A quick chat can help you bring clarity to your planning and confidence to the next generation. Get in touch with Professional Private Wealth to book a conversation on 0408 702 056 or click below.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The information provided in this communication is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information in this communication you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.
This communication may contain certain ‘forward looking’ statements. Forward looking statements, opinions and estimates provided are based on assumptions and contingencies which are subject to change without notice, as are statements about market and industry trends, which are based on interpretations of current market conditions. Forward-looking statements including projections, indications or guidance on future earnings or financial position and estimates are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as an indication or guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that actual outcomes will not differ materially from these statements.
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Billions are being poured into Artificial Intelligence infrastructure every month. Some economists believe future generations may look back on today’s AI boom the same way we look back on the early days of the Industrial Revolution.
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One couple came to us unsure whether retirement was realistic. By the time we finished reviewing their affairs, we’d reduced fees, improved their tax position, strengthened their estate planning and potentially saved their children tens of thousands in future taxes.