Q: My recently retired 69-year-old partner owns a mortgage-free house worth $1 million in which we both live. I’m 60 and own a $480,000 mortgage-free unit which has been rented out for the last eight years. He has about $1 million in super and savings and I have about $250,000. Is it possible for him to sell his house and use the proceeds – plus $500,000- $600,000 of his super – to buy our next home to set things up so he qualifies for a part age pension? I would keep my unit, as the rent and a small part-time job are my sources of income, and I wouldn’t be able to help pay for the new home. Rae

A: For anyone in a relationship that is based on maintaining separate finances – such as you seem to have with your partner – life can be straightforward before retirement.