Planning for aged care: The cost of retirement

24 July 2025

As Australia’s population ages, more and more families are finding themselves navigating the complex world of aged care - often during times of high stress or unexpected need. 

That’s why in this episode of Super Insider, we’re joined once again by Justin Bott, Aged Care Specialist from Services Australia, to unpack what really matters when it comes to aged care planning.

Whether you’re preparing for your own future or helping a loved one transition into care, this episode is a must-listen.

What You’ll Learn:

  • The three core fees involved in residential aged care (RAD, DAP & basic daily fee)
  • How to choose between lump sum vs daily payments
    Government support: means-tested fees, annual/lifetime caps & when they kick in
  • What happens if you don’t have enough to pay – and how the system is designed to be affordable
  • The impact of home ownership and what changes when you're part of a couple vs single
  • Why planning early gives you more choice, comfort and confidence
  • How superannuation drawdowns interact with aged care assessments
  • Common aged care myths - like needing to sell your house, or thinking “it’ll never happen to me”

Super Insider isn’t just a podcast - it’s a trusted guide for our members, helping them feel informed and in control. Whether they’re a few years from retirement or just starting to plan, we’re giving them the knowledge they need in an easy, accessible way. Have you subscribed to Super Insider yet? If not, we’re on all the main platforms.

Ready to learn more and feel confident about your aged care options? Tune in now and join the conversation!

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About Services AustraliaMy Aged Care
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Credits

Kane Everingham, Australian Retirement Trust, Education Team Leader

Justin Bott, Services Australia, Community Information Officer

The opinions and comments shared by people in this podcast are theirs alone, and they’re not necessarily shared by the Trustee. It uses information that’s accurate at the time of publishing.

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