Understand the latest indexed changes to the pension income and assets tests Receiving the full government Age Pension, or even a partial pension payment, can provide eligible retirees with a significant amount of income over time that can supplement income earned from other assets. Millions of Australians are eligible to receive Age Pension payments every … Read more
About SMSF investment restrictions SMSFs are complex, here we have outlined some of the restrictions to help you before you make any decisions on self-managed super fund (SMSF) investment. You must ensure you understand any restrictions on SMSF investments to avoid any penalties. There are some exceptions, however, generally your SMSF must not: lend or … Read more
Maintaining diversification, managing risk, and enhancing long-term returns Multi-asset portfolios are designed to provide diversification by spreading investments across various asset classes to reduce risk. Over time, however, some asset classes may become overweighted (or underweighted), potentially reducing a portfolio’s overall diversification. For example, if equities perform exceptionally well, a portfolio that was initially well-diversified … Read more
With more than 947,000 trusts operating across Australia, it’s no surprise the ATO continues to keep a close eye on how these structures are managed. Trusts remain central to many wealth and succession plans, but their complexity means they also attract compliance scrutiny.i Closer attention to how trust structures are now being used is part … Read more
The bad news for savers relying on income returns is set to continue Australia’s underlying level of inflation is continuing to fall, and which paved the way for another official interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board met earlier in the month. It was welcome news for borrowers, but not for … Read more
The global rollercoaster ride of United States trade tariffs has now entered its latest phase. President Donald Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement placed reciprocal tariffs on all countries. A week later, amid financial market turmoil, these tariffs were paused and replaced by a 10% baseline tariff on most goods. On July 31, however, the … Read more
Planning to retire means considering the steps and decisions needed to get you to where you want to be. Think ahead to the kind of life you want to live and how you will support yourself when you’re no longer working. Work out how much you need to retire How much you need to retire … Read more
A simple ongoing investment strategy can deliver substantial returns over time Imagine planting a tree that not only grows fruit but also grows more branches, which grow even more fruit. That’s compound interest in motion, which is sometimes referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world”. It’s the financial phenomenon where your money earns … Read more
Salary sacrificing into super We’re all familiar with the concept of super. It’s that portion of our salary that employers are required to contribute to a super fund on our behalf, with the goal of providing us with financial security in retirement. But what not everyone is aware of is that relying solely on your … Read more
The gig economy sounds like a dream, and for many it is. Being your own boss, setting your own hours, working in pyjamas – what’s not to love? Whether you’re freelancing full-time or juggling a juicy side hustle, there’s magic in earning money on your terms. But let’s not get too starry-eyed. It’s not all … Read more
Millions of Australians hold multiple super accounts — and it could be costing them Vanguard’s late founder, John C. Bogle, was known for championing the importance of reducing investment costs. It’s a principle that’s especially important for long-term investments like superannuation. For Australians, a common scenario is having multiple superannuation accounts, which can lead to … Read more
Donald Trump’s new international trade tariffs have landed. Some are lower than others, some deals have been done, but overall they are the highest they have been in 100 years. They are also unprecedented in the era of the rules-based trade system that has been in place since 1945. So what happens next? That’s a … Read more
