Key takeaways According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), to have a ‘comfortable’ retirement, single people will need $595,000 in retirement savings, and couples will need $690,000, assuming they receive part Age Pensions.1 Retirement calculators can tell you how much capital you need to support the lifestyle you want A financial adviser … Read more
Having a legally valid will can go a long way to avoiding disputes over the division of your assets. What did the artist Picasso, musicians Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin, and billionaire entrepreneur Howard Hughes have in common? If you’re thinking they had amassed large fortunes before their deaths, you would be correct. But another … Read more
With interest rates likely to fall this year, borrowers could invest some or all of their mortgage repayment savings. Inflation may be coming off its high, but the retail price of coffee isn’t likely to lose any monetary steam. Depending on where you buy, the average cost across Australia of a regular-size takeaway cup of … Read more
Key takeaways What to prioritise when managing your family’s finances, such as debt management, establishing an emergency fund, and investment options to deliver financial security. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, managing money can sometimes feel like a juggling act. From budgeting, to saving for the future, dealing with the high cost of … Read more
Financial markets can be like finely tuned racehorses, poised to gallop ahead under ideal conditions but often highly reactive to unexpected events. It’s often said that the markets love certainty. Investors feel more confident when economic conditions are stable and predictable. But certainty in financial conditions is never a sure thing. Uncertainty is always just … Read more
A pause in super contributions can have long-lasting effects. Here’s how to plan ahead for super breaks. There’s a host of reasons why people take career breaks. Having and raising children, or taking an extended holiday or sabbatical, are the most common reasons. Vanguard’s 2023 How Australia Retires study, based on a survey of more than 1,800 … Read more
Memory loss can make it difficult to stay in control of your money. Things like checking bank statements or investments, or paying bills may become challenging. If you’re starting to struggle, it’s time to put some safeguards in place. A few simple steps will help you and your loved ones protect your money and prepare … Read more
Overview You can access your super early in very limited circumstances, including to pay certain expenses on compassionate grounds, as well as terminal illness, incapacity and severe financial hardship. Access on compassionate grounds You may be allowed to withdraw your super early on compassionate grounds to pay for: medical treatment for you or your dependant medical transport … Read more
Key takeaways If you contribute some of your after-tax income or savings into super, you may be eligible to claim a tax deduction Making a salary sacrifice contribution into super could see you pay less tax than if you received the money as take-home pay If your spouse is not working or earns a low … Read more
The latest rise in the Age Pension rate still falls short of what many people may need to have a modest lifestyle in retirement. Around 2.58 million Australians received a 1.78% government Age Pension payment boost on March 20 as part of Centrelink’s twice-yearly indexation review. They included the 1.76 million people who receive a … Read more
Planning is the key to successful investing. Creating a plan will help you find investments that fit your investing time frame and risk tolerance, to help you reach your financial goals sooner. 1. Review your finances Before you invest, review your financial situation. Write down what you owe (your debts) and what you own (your … Read more
