As our superannuation balances grow larger, it makes more sense than ever to keep track of the many rules changes that have recently happened or are coming up soon. Australians are investing more in super – almost $151 billion dollars in the year ending March 2023, an increase of 11.3 per cent.i Those extra contributions, … Read more
Think you have been scammed? These steps will help you take action quickly to stop the scammers and limit the damage. Know that you are not alone and you can recover from this. There is support available, if and when you need it. Act fast if you’ve been scammed If you’ve been scammed, follow these … Read more
If you need help in your home, or can no longer live independently, the Australian Government provides a range of aged care services. These services are subsidised, but you need to contribute to the cost if you can afford to. Where to start The first thing to do is think about what you need. You … Read more
The start of a new financial year is the perfect time to get your financial affairs in order. Whether it’s tidying up your paperwork, assessing your portfolio or dealing with outstanding issues, there are plenty of practical actions you can take. Here are some strategies for starting the new financial year on the right foot. … Read more
Before you retire If you’re planning to retire, you need to consider: your age including if you have reached your preservation age when you can access your super how much tax you will pay on amounts you receive if good leaver conditions apply if you are part of an Employee Share Scheme if the retirement capital … Read more
Many Australians now technically qualify to be certified as a sophisticated investor, but what are the benefits and risks? Sophisticated is a word that can have a wide range of connotations. In the subjective sense it may be used to describe people considered to be well educated, knowledgeable and experienced. But there is an entirely … 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
The rising cost of living is grabbing all the attention right now as people struggle to pay the increasing prices. But in the meantime, our collective wealth has been growing steadily and is being transferred to the next generation at increasing rates. In fact, the value of inheritances as well as gifts to family and … Read more
There’s a common misperception that in order to start investing, you need a large initial sum and lots of time. Here’s why that’s a myth. Investing can seem like a daunting task, particularly for those who think they lack the time and resources to start. A study has found that many Australian investors think they … Read more
We’re serving up the truth about some common scam myths that you might have heard, especially around tax time. Myth 1: Only older people get scammed Busted! Last year people aged 25 to 34 lost the most to tax scams, followed by those aged 18 to 24. Tax scams target everyone. If you get a … Read more
Quarterly Property Update Interest rates have been the hot topic of conversation among homebuyers for a year now. In May 2022 the RBA made its first tactical move, raising the official rate for the first time since November 2010. And it’s all we’ve seemed to hear about since – only the RBA’s traditional January holiday … Read more
Bull market surges have been longer and stronger than the bear markets that preceded them. Bear markets occur when a share market falls by 20 per cent or more from its most recent trading high. Volatile economic and investment conditions caused the United States share market to fall into bear market territory in 2022. Fortunately, … Read more