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Government pulls back on proposed changes to super
September 19, 2016
The government has announced changes to three key 2016 Federal Budget proposals —the most significant being that it would not go forward with its proposal to introduce a $500,000 lifetime cap on non-concessional (after-tax) super contributions. In a nutshell the new proposals include: From 1 July 2017, the existing annual cap of $180,000 on after-tax...Read More
Property investment seminars – steer clear
July 19, 2016
As humans we seem to instinctively want to find an easy way to make money quickly. Perhaps this explains why property spruikers continue to drum up business. But consumer regulators around Australia are warning about so-called property investment promoters who claim to be ‘wealth creators’ but who are really just in it for themselves. Over...Read More
Self-employed workers lack retirement savings
July 4, 2016
Many self-employed workers run the risk of not having enough savings to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in retirement, research by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has found.1 The industry body highlighted that while super was compulsory for most wage and salary earners, it wasn’t for those who were self-employed, and as a...Read More
British vote to exit the EU: what happens now?
June 27, 2016
British voters have voted in favour of Brexit: the British exit from the European Union (EU). This means that in the coming months, British and European leaders will begin negotiating the terms of Britain’s departure. Britain’s exit will affect the British economy, immigration policy, and lots more. It will take years for the full consequences...Read More
5 things to note about Brexit jitters
June 20, 2016
Core European bond yields have been negative for some time, as the European Central Bank has been aggressively buying bonds as part of its quantitative easing policy. While most of the German yield curve has been negative, German 10-year bond yields turned negative for the first time last night, reflecting uncertainty over the implications of...Read More
What is Delayed Gratification?
June 15, 2016
Many people wonder “What is delayed gratification and how can it help with my finances?” Delayed gratification is when you resist the urge to indulge in an instant reward and instead choose to exercise self-control. In return for this self-control, there is a potentially greater financial reward in the future. The “marshmallow experiment” Instant gratification...Read More
1 in 2 families at risk of unexpected bills
June 6, 2016
It always makes sense to have a pool of rainy day savings because it’s a sure thing that at some stage the washing machine will break down or the car will need new tyres to pass rego. However new research shows around half the nation’s households would struggle with an unexpected bill. A recent study...Read More
For many Australians, deciding whether to rent or buy a home to live in is a choice, and over time their preferences around this will undoubtedly change or evolve. But for others it’s more a matter of affordability. Housing affordability in Australia According to AMP Capital’s chief economist Dr Shane Oliver, housing affordability has been...Read More
It pays to contribute to your partner’s super
May 18, 2016
If your spouse—husband, wife, de facto, same-sex partner—is a low income earner or not working at the moment, chances are they’re accumulating little or no super at all to fund their retirement. The good news is, if you help by contributing some of your own money to their super, you could be eligible to receive...Read More
What is the retirement age in Australia?
May 18, 2016
With no definitive retirement age in Australia, the date you exit the workforce will probably come down to personal circumstance and whether you can afford it. The age you retire in Australia isn’t set in stone. You can really retire whenever you want to, but health, financial commitments and your ability to fund the lifestyle...Read More