The keys to high retirement confidence
May 19, 2023
Are you retirement ready? An inaugural ‘How Australia Retires’ study has uncovered some common themes that make Australians highly confident about their retirement. How confident are you about your future retirement? Do you think you’ll have enough money to achieve the retirement lifestyle you imagine? And, importantly, what steps are you taking if any, or…
8 retirement mistakes and how to avoid them
February 1, 2023
Retirement is a phase of life most of us look forward to. It’s a chance to pursue other interests, travel and maybe do some part-time work or volunteering. Thanks to more than 30 years of compulsory superannuation, we are also retiring with more savings than previous generations and have higher expectations of the lifestyle we…
There’s more than one way to boost retirement income
March 2, 2021
After spending their working life building retirement savings, many retirees are often reluctant to eat into their “nest egg” too quickly. This is understandable, given that we are living longer than previous generations and may need to pay for aged care and health costs later in life. But this cautious approach also means many retirees…
Tax-effective ways to boost your super
December 10, 2020
After a year when the average superannuation balance fell slightly or, at best, moved sideways, the summer holidays could be a good opportunity to think about ways to rebuild your savings while being mindful of tax. With the Reserve Bank reducing interest rates to record lows and not anticipating a rise until 2024, it’s more…
Five tips for a better retirement
November 10, 2020
Retirement is an exciting time. It’s the long-awaited reward for a lifetime of work and, if you’ve planned it correctly, it heralds a life stage synonymous with relaxation and enjoyment. However, to make sure your retirement is everything you’d hoped for, it’s crucial to make smart decisions to help you stick to your financial plan,…
Big Four Banks and QSuper leaving the party?
October 14, 2020
2020 has been a year like no other. A global pandemic, Australia’s first recession in nearly 30 years, record low interest rates, volatility in both shares and property markets, and even job security is coming into question. For retirees it can be a very daunting process. The Big Four Banks and QSuper Recently we…
2020 Guide to Retirement Planning
October 12, 2020
Retirement planning is certainly not an easy topic to discuss and understand. The goal of this guide is to help you develop a framework so that you can ask yourself the right questions and understand some of the numbers involved in making your retirement a great one.
Getting retirement plans back on track
September 15, 2020
After a year when even the best laid plans have been put on hold due to COVID-19, people who were planning to retire soon may be having second thoughts. You may be concerned about a drop in your super balance, insecure work, or an uncertain investment outlook. Whatever your circumstances, a financial tune-up may be…
Balancing wealth and happiness
August 11, 2020
It can at times seem like life is a seesaw of logic and emotion. If you believe by emotion, then no amount of reason can talk you out of how you feel. It’s how some fall prey to a life of worry, frustration and disappointment. But if you stay focused on what matters most right…
Super changes add flexibility
August 5, 2020
Just when you thought you had a grip on the superannuation rules, they change again. This time though, the changes are mostly positive, especially for older super members keen to top up their savings. From 1 July 2020, changes came into effect with the potential to help retirees as well as members suffering financial hardship…
A baby boomer’s retirement path
July 15, 2020
Baby boomers are born consumers and love choice. For those unsure, a baby boomer is generally defined as those born just after World War II – 1946 to 1964. During these years, the number of babies born in most western nations, including Australia, was staggering. Today, around 20% of Australia’s population is made up of…
Family trusts under ATO scrutiny
July 13, 2020
Family trusts have stood the test of time as a means of protecting family and business wealth, and managing the distribution of trust income in a tax-effective way. But the misuse of these tax benefits by a small minority periodically puts trusts in the firing line of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). With the ATO’s…
9 retirement planning myths debunked
June 3, 2020
We’ve all read internet fake news and passed down family stories about common retirement “rules of thumb”. Google the word “retirement” and you’ll get 748,000,000 results in 0.65 seconds. It’s no wonder there’s so much confusion. There’s rarely a one-size-fits-all solution to planning for retirement. So, don’t buy into the hype, stick to the fundamentals…
Starting over: how to bounce back after 60
May 11, 2020
Have you ever gone through a major life event that forced you to start again? For some, it’s a scary time filled with change, anxiety and confusion. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You’re human and starting over is not something you have to do alone. That’s what bouncing back is all about….
Keeping the economy moving
May 11, 2020
The Morrison Government’s mind-bogglingly large support packages to get Australians through the COVID-19 shutdown have dominated headlines, and rightly so. Only months ago, the Australian economy was in relatively good shape and headed for a Budget surplus. It’s not just the Government that has swung into action. Behind the scenes, the Reserve Bank of Australia…
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