cash out super at 66 for max age pension?, page-34

Cafa, you said:
"Eng. I didn't say they weren't qualified, I said there are not fully qualified as financial planners and per ASIC. The definition is very clear that the advise must be in the best interests of the client.

If Centerlink are not allowed to give advice as to how to maximize your Age Pension then they can't be acting in the clients best interests, and thus not compliant under ASIC rules, although I'm sure they have an exception due to some funny legislation.

However at the end of the day it sounds as if you are saying that you need to go to Centerlnk with your situation / proposal and they will give a Yes / NO answer, and some advise around some of the benefits, but if they are barred from advising on how to maximize an age pension then that would be a big hole for most people - IMO"

You seem to be misunderstanding the role of the Centrelink Financial Information Service. They are not there to act as advisers to clients in terms of suggesting how the client can maximise their position in terms of social security, tax or anything else.

They are, however, highly qualified and able to advise individuals about their Centrelink entitlements.
As has already been suggested, it is up to clients to decide what questions they need answered.

If you want someone to tell you all the ways you can arrange your financial affairs in order to pay less tax and maximise entitlements from any source, then be prepared to pay an independent financial planner.