Understand the gap between stopping work and pension age.
The bridge-years view helps show what happens after employment stops but before Age Pension support may begin.
Stop-work timing
When work stops, salary and regular super contributions should stop too. The projection needs to show that timing clearly.
Drawdown pressure
If there is no planned draw before pension age, the report should show the gap instead of pretending income appears from nowhere.
Age Pension transition
Once pension age starts, the model can show estimated Age Pension, income-test pressure and any extra super draw needed.
What RetireAI is trying to make visible
A household may look fine at age 67 but still have pressure at 63, 64, 65 or 66. Bridge-year planning makes those years visible before decisions are made.
- Employment income stops at the nominated retirement age
- Employer contributions stop when employment stops
- Super balances continue to grow or reduce based on assumptions
- The report shows whether a drawdown or other income source is needed
Common bridge-year planning checks.
How many gap years exist?
Count from the first year employment income reduces or stops to the year pension-age assumptions begin. Even two or three years can change the drawdown story.
Where does cashflow come from?
Bridge income may come from work, savings, investment income, super if accessible, or a planned reduction in spending. Each option needs its own assumption.
What should be checked?
Super access rules, tax, minimum drawdowns, partner timing and Centrelink treatment may need professional or official confirmation before acting on any scenario.
Keep moving through the RetireAI flow.
If bridge years look tight, the next useful step is to connect them to spending, super, other assets and pension estimates in the paid PDF report.