The best time to start planning for retirement is yesterday. But the second-best time? Today. About two-thirds of Australians retire earlier than they anticipated because of unexpected events such as job loss or redundancy, they need to care for a family member, have a sudden illness or injury, problems at work or a partner’s decision … Read more
Capital gains tax is once again the subject of parliamentary debate, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers declining to rule out options for reform. Along with negative gearing, the capital gains tax discount has long been suggested as one cause of Australia’s housing affordability crisis. The tax applies to the capital gain when an asset is held … Read more
When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% in February, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched. For some, like self-funded retirees, the rate rise was good news. Higher interest means their savings … Read more
Tax Office data shows fewer people used its super scheme in 2024-25 Introduced in 2018, the home downsizer scheme allows eligible Australians aged 55 and older to contribute up to $300,000 from the sale of their home into superannuation, outside of normal annual contribution caps. The idea was simple: improve retirement incomes while freeing up … Read more
The start of 2026 has seen gold and silver surge to record highs. So what’s behind those surges and falls? And what should everyday investors know about the risks of investing in precious metals right now? Why gold has been hitting new highs Gold is the classic safe haven: an asset people buy to protect … Read more
There has been a spate of articles and commentary in recently calling on the Australian government to reduce spending. Those calling for government cuts – mostly long-time advocates of smaller government – claim this would lower inflation, and as a consequence, reduce interest rates. In fact, claims that government spending is now a very large … Read more
New research shows grief in aged care begins long before death, starting at the moment a loved one enters residential care. Families describe a long, evolving journey shaped by loss of role, communication, and meaningful rituals – pointing to the need for grief support across the entire aged care experience. Grief in aged care doesn’t … Read more
