Boosting your super balance
As we approach the end of another financial year, there are some things to consider if you’re planning to make extra contributions.
life
As we celebrate International Women's Day, we wanted to take the time to recognise the incredible impact women are making in the lives of our members, by empowering them to retire with confidence.
Lavanya, Superannuation Adviser
With over 7 years of experience within super, Lavanya has been instrumental in providing personalised advice to our members. Inspired by her own upbringing and professional journey, she understands the challenges women face in securing their financial future, especially within the health and community services sector.
"Helping our members achieve their financial goals, whether it's securing retirement income or leaving a legacy, is incredibly rewarding. Everybody has a part to play, and even impacting one person's life makes a massive difference."
If Lavanya could offer one piece of general advice: "Take the time to understand your superannuation options and make informed decisions. Whether you're planning for retirement or navigating career transitions, knowledge is power. "
Anne, Superannuation Adviser
With over 20 years of experience as a Certified Financial Planner, Anne was drawn to working for an industry fund that shares her values—values built on her mother's efforts to provide her with an education she couldn’t pursue herself.
“My mother gave me the opportunity of education. I always wanted to make sure I made the most of education so that I could share that with other people and help them make good financial decisions.”
Recognising retirement can be a mystifying life stage for many, Anne notes "Retirement, and the period leading up to it, can feel overwhelming. It represents a significant life transition, and it's natural to experience anxiety." However, Anne is a specialist in putting a plan in place that members can work towards over a couple of years. It means they can go into retirement with a more secure feeling and peace of mind.
Anne provides one-on-one personal advice to members on matters such as HESTA investment choices, insurance options, making additional contributions and retirement planning, including how the HESTA Income Stream can support this.
Sharon, Member Education Manager
After a determined and resilient journey as a single parent studying to become a financial adviser, Sharon now celebrates her 13th year as an essential member of the HESTA team and an inspiration to those facing similar challenges.
“As I shared my story, I noticed its impact on others. So, I weave my personal experience into my sessions. It's a reminder that overcoming obstacles is a journey we can all take.”
When your goals seem overwhelming, Sharon's approach is refreshingly practical: “take small steps to the top of the mountain. If you look to the summit and think that’s way too hard, you’ll never get there. If you just focus on your next step, you’ll be surprised how far you’ve come.”
Melissa, Superannuation Adviser
Melissa is one of our passionate Superannuation Advisers who provide HESTA members with personalised advice about their super account, including contributions, investment choice, pre-retirement and retirement planning.
“I love helping and interacting with our members, and learning about their lives, their family, understanding what’s important to them or what concerns them. I work with them to help make financial decisions to positively influence their financial future."
Melissa is looking forward to advancing her career, with a move to a new role at HESTA.
“I will soon be moving into a Super Specialist role, which will see me visiting more workplaces and members in my region, Gippsland”.
Judy - Manager, Member Advice Centre
What fuels Judy’s passion for her role? It's the shared commitment across HESTA to prioritise our one million plus members' needs, around 80% of whom are women. Coming from a background within financial services, she was struck by the genuine focus on member well-being.
Judy’s team specialises in offering general advice, a vital resource for members at various stages of life. From those contemplating retirement to individuals facing health challenges impacting their ability to work full-time, Judy and her team are there to provide clarity and guidance. By offering accessible, non-intimidating advice, the team empowers members to take control of their financial future, one step at a time.
"One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is helping our members realise that financial advice is not just for the wealthy. It's for everyone who wants to secure their future and live with peace of mind. Being able to provide clarity and guidance, no matter their situation, is incredibly fulfilling.”
At HESTA, we’re here to support you to get the most out of your super
We understand the importance of quality advice and tailored support when it comes to retirement planning. Our team of advisers offer sessions designed to help our members navigate complex financial decisions.
Find out more about advice with HESTA or learn more about our insightful information sessions where we break down all things super.
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End of year financial contributions
The deadline for extra contributions into super for the 2023-24 financial year has now passed. Find out more.
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