You’re nearly there. After a lifetime of toil – of digging, building, thinking, manufacturing, planting, helping and nurturing – it’s time for you to enjoy your Golden Years. If you’re an Australian resident, you’re entitled to an age pension and a Seniors Card. Here’s what you need to do next. Age ... Read more
Hedge funds use investment strategies that are more complex than other managed funds. Many aim for positive or less volatile returns, in both rising and falling markets. A hedge fund is a complex investment and risks vary. Read the product disclosure statement and consider getting financial advice ... Read more
What’s your super strategy? Creating a strong super strategy is crucial to setting yourself up for success later in life. Starting now and making small changes to how you approach your super savings can make all the difference to ensuring you have a secure and comfortable retirement. A proactive and ...Read more
Information and resources to help you care for an older Australian. Caring for the elderly or aged means caring for someone who is either: older than 65 older than 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. It may be your parent, grandparent, extended family member or loved one. You have access to ...Read more
The Australian economy picked up strength in the June quarter as consumers opened their wallets, boosted by interest rate cuts earlier in the year. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6% in the June quarter and 1.8% over the year — the ...Read more
If you’ve ever had a job in Australia, even short-term, your employer probably paid money into a super fund for you. This money is yours – even if you’ve moved, changed names, stopped using your old phone or email, or never signed up for an account. To find out how much you have you can: ... Read more
Investing isn’t just a numbers game. It’s an activity that stirs various emotions from hope and optimism to fear and anxiety. Whether the ASX is surging or stumbling, emotional responses to market movements can shape outcomes just as much as economic fundamentals. Understanding those responses is crucial ...Read more
The global trading system that promoted free trade and underpinned global prosperity for 80 years now stands at a crossroads. Recent trade policy developments have introduced unprecedented levels of uncertainty – not least, the upheaval caused by United States President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff ...Read more
Older Australians can access both government-funded and private aged care services, each with different costs, eligibility rules and flexibility. Understanding the differences between these options can help you or your loved ones make informed choices about the right support at home or in care. Elderly ...Read more
Putting off investing could cost you more than you think Many people delay investing because they feel they don’t know enough, are afraid of making mistakes or believe they need a large sum to begin. This ‘investment procrastination’ — which can be a result of uncertainty, fear or hesitation — can ...Read more
If you’re lodging your self-managed super fund annual return for the first time learn about your lodgment obligations. If you have a new self-managed super fund (SMSF) you must lodge your SMSF annual return (SAR) by 31 October 2025. Contact us as soon as possible if you need help preparing your SMSF annual ...Read more
Key points: The Intergenerational Report 2023 released by Treasury gave Australians insight into the national economy from 2023 until 2062 – 2063 The care and support sector and its workforce were projected to double over the next 40 years The paid workforce participation rate was expected to dip ... Read more
How to develop an estate planning strategy to deal with your assets in the event of your death. Estate planning involves developing a strategy to deal with your assets after you die – the legal instruments and structures, such as a will, you put in place to transfer your assets in the event of death. ... Read more
It’s easy to get sucked into the lure of the biggest companies – they’re the most powerful; they’re unstoppable. But history suggests that’s not how these things work. The companies many investors have relied on for their returns in the last few years are the Magnificent 7 (Mag 7). Today, what kind of ...Read more
We can help you plan for retirement and meet financial challenges when you’re retired. You may be at a point in your life where you’re thinking about retiring. This could mean you’re reducing your work hours or stopping work completely. There are many things to consider about life in retirement. Some of ...Read more
Two mental traps that could be affecting your investing Even the most experienced investors can fall prey to subtle psychological traps. These behavioural biases often operate under the surface, influencing decisions in ways that can undermine long-term investment success. Here are two of the most common ...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 ...Read more
Take a sec to check Scammers aim to take advantage of weak security and plan on you being distracted with everyday life. To keep yourself safe: Stop – Don’t share your personal information such as your myGov sign in details, Tax File Number (TFN), or bank account details, with anyone unless you trust the ...Read more
Money sure can stir up a lot of emotions in relationships. From arguments over who spent too much on takeout to disagreements about saving for a house, finances can be a major stressor for couples. So, let’s dive into why money can be a relationship minefield and how you can navigate those financial ...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, ...Read more
What is a retirement village There are so many options when it comes to moving into a retirement village. Here we explain what some of them are along with the contractual arrangements you may have for each accommodation. A retirement village is accommodation: intended for people who are 55 years or older ...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 ...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 ...Read more
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 ...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 ...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? ...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, ...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 ...Read more
With the new financial year comes a fresh wave of superannuation changes that could make a real difference to your retirement savings. Let’s unpack what’s changing – and how to make the most of it. The SG rate hits 12% One obvious lift to retirement incomes is the increase in the Super Guarantee (SG) rate ... Read more
Pros of investing in property Income – you earn rental income from the property when tenanted Less volatility – property income and property value can be less volatile than other investments such as shares or bonds etc Capital growth – if your property increases in value, you will benefit from a ...Read more
What is a good credit score? Your credit score, also known as your credit rating, is a number that represents your creditworthiness. This shows the credit card or loan provider what your history of credit use is and if you’re able to manage your debt(s) effectively. A credit score is calculated and ...Read more
Volatility indexes are a barometer for where share markets may be heading It should come as no surprise that there isn’t an accurate way to foretell what share markets will do from one day to the next. Yet, while there is no share market crystal ball as such, there are dozens of market indexes globally ... Read more
If you have a poor credit score or an error in your credit report, it may affect loans or credit you apply for. You have a right to get errors fixed for free, and you can arrange this yourself. What you can get fixed (for free) Here are some of the typical errors in credit ... Read more
Tracking your spending is a way to take control of your money. Knowing where your money goes can help you spend less and save more. 1. Track your spending and expenses First, get a clear view of where your money is going day to day. Choose how long to track One week for daily spending ... Read more
Key points: My Aged Care will be your first point of contact if you are in looking to access Government funded aged care services A RAS or ACAT/S assessment can determine what services will best suit your needs If you are found eligible for government-funded servicesyou will then be able to start looking ... Read more
How much tax you pay on your super contributions and withdrawals depends on: your total super amount your age the type of contribution or withdrawal you make If you inherit someone’s super after they die, the person’s super fund pays you a super death benefit. You may have to pay tax on some of this ... Read more
Define your renovation goals Renovations can be an exciting time to re-shape the look and feel of your home, however before you start getting into the details, it’s important take a step back and clarify ‘why’ you’re renovating. For instance: Do you need more space? Is your kitchen too dated? Are you ...Read more
By doing a few calculations you can easily see if your portfolio is still on track. If you’re someone who likes a good balance in your investing life, now may be a good time to do some calculations. It’s not something you must do, but doing so may give you some extra peace of mind ... Read more
If retirement is just around the corner, the current financial climate may make you feel a little uneasy. Watching the markets fluctuate might leave you worrying about whether your superannuation will be enough to see you through. It’s not a time for hasty moves, though. If you are concerned a calm review ...Read more
Investors have faced a wild ride in 2025. The excitement may not be over. Equity and fixed income markets took less than a month to recover after U.S. tariff announcements in early April sent them reeling, giving investors a valuable opportunity to reexamine their relationship with risk. A healthy ...Read more
When to declare taxable and tax-free government payments, pensions and allowances in your tax return. What are government payments, pensions and allowances? Australian Government payments, pensions and allowances are income amounts that you receive from a government agency. Commonly these payments are from ...Read more
Do you have a plan for who will receive your super if something happens to you? For many Australians, superannuation is their greatest asset outside the family home. But do you have a plan for who will receive your super if something happens to you? The laws around super death benefits are complex, with ...Read more
Bonds are not usually the flashy upstarts of the investment world with their every move reported, like stocks. But the Trump Administration’s extraordinary refashioning of world trade, with on-again off-again tariffs of eye watering amounts, has put bond markets in a similar position to share markets ...Read more
How long to keep rental records You need to keep records for 5 years. Depending on your situation, that is 5 years from the date: you lodge your tax return of your last claim for the decline in value of an asset it is certain that no capital gains tax event can occur after you acquire, sell ... Read more
The inheritance wave is building but most people are unprepared for the ride Transfers of accumulated wealth from one generation to the next are part and parcel of everyday life. But the next 20 to 30 years will see the biggest intergenerational wealth handover in history. According to estimates made ...Read more
If you are trying to get ahead financially, whether you are coming up with a deposit for your first home, focussed on paying down a mortgage, or working towards any other financial goals, budgeting and being able to save is critical, but as well as minimising your spending, a great way to get ahead is ... Read more
When to include insurance payouts from disaster events in your tax return for businesses, or assets that produce income. When recovering from disaster events, check if you need to report and pay tax on insurance payouts: damaged or destroyed personal items or assets are not taxed businesses or income ...Read more
Retirement might be just around the corner, or maybe you’ve recently crossed that exciting threshold. You’ve worked hard for decades, and now ready to trade in the alarm clock for leisurely mornings and to-do lists that are actually fun. But as you move into ...Read more
Why investing extra money from a rate cut can be a better long-term option. Millions of Australians holding variable rate mortgages are about to receive a monthly household cash infusion, thanks to the Reserve Bank’s 0.25% cash rate cut on 20 May. ...Read more
