Case Study: Making the Most of a Home Sale in Retirement
How one retired couple turned the sale of their family home into a simpler, more secure retirement.
The Situation
After many happy years in their family home, a retired Brisbane couple made the decision to downsize into a new unit. The sale went smoothly. What came next felt less certain.
They suddenly had a significant sum of money sitting in the bank, a new home to settle into, and a long list of questions. Should the money go into super? How much should stay accessible? And were their existing investments still right for this stage of life?
They came to Dolfinwise wanting clarity, not complexity.
The Challenge
Like many retirees after a home sale, the couple needed to balance several priorities at once. They wanted to cover the moving and renovation costs of their new unit, keep a healthy cash reserve for the unexpected, and invest the rest wisely.
There was another issue hiding beneath the surface. Their superannuation was heavily invested in share markets. That approach may have served them well during their working years, but it no longer matched their Conservative risk profile. A significant market downturn could have had a real impact on their retirement income.

Our Approach
We started with the opportunity many downsizers miss. Using the downsizer contribution rules, the couple contributed $300,000 each into superannuation from their home sale proceeds. This moved a substantial portion of their wealth into a tax-effective environment, something that may not have been possible through standard contribution caps due to their age.
Next, we addressed the investment mismatch. Rather than remaining heavily exposed to growth assets, their portfolios were restructured into a more balanced mix of shares, property, bonds and cash, properly aligned with their Conservative risk profile.
Finally, we made sure flexibility was not sacrificed for strategy. A substantial cash buffer was maintained outside superannuation, while their pension accounts continued providing regular, reliable retirement income.
The Outcome
The couple settled into their new home with their finances working as one coordinated plan rather than a collection of separate pieces.
Their wealth is now structured tax-effectively, their investments reflect their true comfort with risk, and they have ready access to cash when they need it. Most importantly, they can enjoy this next chapter of retirement with certainty and peace of mind.
Thinking about downsizing, or recently sold your home? The window to make a downsizer contribution is limited, and the right structure makes all the difference. We welcome you to arrange a complimentary consultation with one of our experienced advisers.
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This case study is based on a real client experience and is shared for illustrative purposes only. Some details have been generalised to protect client privacy. Outcomes vary depending on individual circumstances. This information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Please seek personal financial advice before acting on any information contained here.