Thank you for booking your appointment with an ESSSuper financial adviser – we’re really looking forward to working with you to help achieve your financial goals.
Seeking advice is a powerful step. You’re doing something great for your future – and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Before we meet, it’s worth taking a moment to think about what you’d like to get out of receiving advice. If you haven’t already, you might like to start considering:
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How much you’d like to spend in retirement
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Whether you plan to upgrade your home – perhaps a new kitchen or bathroom – or downsize
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Any major expenses on the horizon, such as travel, a new car, or helping children with a house deposit
So, what can you expect at your first meeting?
Your adviser will focus on getting to know you, understanding your situation, and exploring what you’re hoping to achieve. They’ll also explain how we can help, and outline the kinds of options that may be available to you.
It’s important to know that personal financial advice won’t be provided in your first meeting.
Personal advice means it’s tailored to you – your goals, your situation, and your financial future.
Just like a doctor wouldn’t recommend surgery without first doing a proper diagnosis, your adviser needs time to understand your full financial picture, explore different strategies, run the numbers, and carefully consider what’s most appropriate for you. This helps ensure the advice you receive is personalised, high quality, and in your best interests.
If you choose to proceed with personal advice, your adviser will provide you with a quote to prepare a Statement of Advice. This document will outline their recommendations, the reasons behind them, the potential benefits and risks, the associated costs, and anything else you should be aware of.
So then, what’s the cost of advice or having a statement of advice prepared?
We understand that cost plays a big part in deciding whether to seek financial advice — especially when you’re planning for something as important as retirement. That’s why we aim to keep our fees as accessible as possible.
On average, the cost for a retirement Statement of advice is around $4,000, though it may be higher or lower depending on your individual needs.
For context, Investment Trends research from 2024 found that the average cost of financial advice in Australia is around $7,700. We work hard to keep our fees well below that — so more members can access quality advice and feel confident about their financial future.
There’s no extra cost for your initial meeting — it’s already included as part of your ESSSuper membership — and it gives you the chance to learn how advice could make a real difference to your financial future. If you don’t see value in personal advice after meeting with your adviser, there’s no pressure to continue — but the conversation alone can still be a worthwhile step forward.
What can ESSSuper advisers help with?
Our advisers can assist you with a wide range of financial matters, including:
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Your super – both ESSSuper and other superfunds
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Retirement planning
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Centrelink entitlements
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Investments and growing your wealth
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Insurance to protect your income and family
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Managing redundancy or leave entitlements
If you have a partner, we encourage you to bring them along to the meeting – especially if you’re making joint plans for the future. It’s often helpful to have you both there, so we can understand your shared goals and provide advice that supports your future together. Even if your partner isn’t an ESSSuper member, that’s no problem – we can still assist with their super and broader financial needs.
What to bring to your appointment
To make the most of your meeting, it’s helpful if you can bring the following along:
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A list of what you own (like your home, super, & other savings and investments like term deposits and shares) and what you owe (like your mortgage or loans)
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How much you earn and what you spend each month
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Information about any insurance you currently hold
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And your last two payslips
This information helps your adviser build a clear picture of your situation. If any further detail is needed, they’ll let you know during the meeting.
We look forward to meeting with you shortly, and hoping you plan a financially fit future.
