Retirement is usually presented as a switch. One day you work. The next day you stop, roll onto income from your superannuation. Additionally, some may also utilise the Age Pension to fill any gaps.

However, financial independence does not need to be that binary.

A more useful goal may be to build an investment portfolio that makes full-time work optional by 55. You might still work, run a business, or take on projects. The difference is that a portfolio now pays part of the household bills, giving you greater freedom to choose the work that deserves your time.

That is not retirement. It is leverage over your own life.

The portfolio outside superannuation

There is one important catch. According to the Australian Taxation Office, Australians can generally access super when they reach preservation age and retire, or after turning 65 regardless of whether they are still working. For anyone currently approaching 55, preservation age is 60.

That means a portfolio designed to create freedom at 55 needs to sit largely outside superannuation. It can operate as a five-year bridge before super becomes available, then continue providing income alongside super after 60.

The target also becomes less intimidating when the goal is supplemental income, not replacing an entire salary.

At an illustrative 4% dividend yield, a $300,000 portfolio could produce $12,000 a year before tax. A $500,000 portfolio could produce $20,000, while $750,000 could produce $30,000.

None of those amounts may fund a lavish retirement alone. But an extra $20,000 or $30,000 could make a four-day week possible, support a lower-paid role with more personal meaning, or provide breathing room to build a business without demanding an immediate full-time income.

Build for growth before switching to income

The mistake would be chasing the highest dividend yield from day one.

An investor with a decade or more before 55 may be better served by focusing on total returns: businesses that can grow earnings, reinvest capital, and increase dividends over time. Distributions can be reinvested while employment income still covers living costs.

Broad exchange-traded funds can provide a diversified foundation. The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) holds a broad portfolio of Australian shares, while the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) provides exposure to developed markets outside Australia.

Individual ASX shares could sit around that core, but income quality matters more than headline yield. Sustainable dividends are normally supported by durable cash flow, sensible payout ratios, and strong balance sheets. A yield that looks unusually high can also be the market warning that a dividend cut is coming.

As 55 approaches, the portfolio does not need to be rebuilt overnight. An investor could simply stop reinvesting distributions, direct new money towards income-producing assets, and build a cash buffer. Selling appreciated investments may trigger capital gains tax, another reason a gradual transition can make sense.

What happens to the Age Pension?

The Age Pension currently begins at 67 and is subject to income and assets tests. Shares, cash, and other financial investments can affect how much someone eventually receives, while Centrelink uses deeming rules to assess income from financial assets.

Building a substantial portfolio could therefore reduce or eliminate future Age Pension access.

However, that is not necessarily a failed outcome. A larger pool of productive assets may provide more income, flexibility, and control than arranging an investment life around a government threshold that remains 12 years away at age 55.

Foolish takeaway

The most valuable thing an ASX portfolio can buy at 55 may not be retirement. It may be choice.

A portfolio producing $20,000 or $30,000 a year will not make work disappear. It can change the role work plays, from financial necessity to a decision made on your own terms.

That is financial independence in a more practical form: not retiring early, but earning the right to choose early.

The post Could this ASX portfolio make work optional at 55? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Leigh Gant has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) share price is in focus today after the company reported full-year earnings of $124.1 million, a rise of $103.8 million mostly thanks to asset sales above book value and interest rate swap gains. Distributions per unit were steady at 11.73 cents, in line with forecasts.

What did Rural Funds Group report?

• Statutory earnings of $124.1 million, up $103.8 million year on year
• Net property income of $100.5 million, a 5.7% increase
• Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) of 11.7 cents per unit, meeting forecasts
• Distributions per unit of 11.73 cents, unchanged and in line with guidance
• Adjusted net asset value (NAV) of $3.22 per unit, up 4.5% on the prior year
• FY27 forecast: AFFO and distributions both expected to remain steady at 11.7–11.73 cents

What else do investors need to know?

RFF sold $314.9 million in assets during the year, including six properties and water entitlements, at an average 18% premium to book value. These sales strengthened the balance sheet, reducing pro forma gearing to 31.8%, which sits comfortably within the target range.

The Group continues to focus on capital recycling and development, with FY27 forecast capital expenditure of $46.7 million. This investment is fully supported by available bank debt headroom of over $300 million and is aimed at expanding the productivity of its macadamia orchards and irrigated cropping properties.

What’s next for Rural Funds Group?

Looking ahead, the company expects AFFO and quarterly distributions to remain unchanged in FY27. There are also staged developments underway on two properties, aiming to drive future earnings. Management highlighted continued focus on defensive, inflation-hedged agricultural assets and enhancing portfolio value through selective development and leasing activity.

RFF’s long WALE of 14.8 years and quality tenant base, with nearly 90% of forecast income from corporate or institutional lessees, provide a steady foundation as the company seeks fresh growth opportunities.

Rural Funds Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Rural Funds Group shares have risen 11%, outperforming the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which is flat over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Rural Funds Group FY26 earnings: Asset sales boost profit appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) shares have been out of form this year.

So much so, on a 12-month basis, the industrial property giant’s shares have lost around 20% of their value.

But with Goodman’s FY 2026 results out of the way, is now a good time to buy its shares? Let’s see what the team at Bell Potter is saying.

What is Bell Potter saying?

Bell Potter notes that Goodman delivered a result in line with expectations for FY 2026. It commented:

GMG announced its FY26 result with operating EPS of 129.9c (+10% y/y growth) in line with BPe and VA consensus, c.1% above full year guidance. FY27 operating EPS guidance established at +9% growth y/y which implies 141.6c (BPe 141.2c (+9% y/y), VA consensus 143.7c (+11% y/y)), with DPS guidance of 30.0c maintained (in line with BPe, VA consensus for 30.4c).

The broker also highlights that Goodman’s development work in progress (WIP) has increased materially. It adds:

Development WIP has increased a material +37% h/h with data centres now comprising 78% of the total WIP (was 57% pcp). This is driving development yield on costs higher to 8.2% (was 7.5% pcp), as well as margins (not quoted, but GMG is ULIRR aware) and production rate (>$8b pa vs. <$6bn pa FY25).

Goodman shares downgraded

Despite the positives from the result, Bell Potter has become less bullish on the investment opportunity here.

According to the note, the broker has downgraded Goodman shares to a hold rating (from buy) with a reduced price target of $32.65 (from $33.95). This compares to its current share price of $28.78.

Commenting on the downgrade, Bell Potter said:

We downgrade to Hold (was Buy). GMG has a long and rich history in customer and capital partner-focused execution of quality product delivery, and while we continue to expect that to be the case, we do think that FY27 is likely another year of building blocks that requires substantial operating cash outflow with milestones (customer leasing, partnerships, commensurate cash returns on cost) that will take some time to build out amongst a competitive peer set.

We adjust our FY27-FY29 EPS estimates by -1% to 1% to reflect: (1) half year actuals; (2) development WIP / DC capex and returns; and (3) net borrowing gains.

The post Why were Goodman shares just downgraded? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.