For many people approaching retirement, the transition from full-time work to retirement is no longer a sudden stop. Instead, it’s often a gradual process that involves reducing work hours, maintaining cash flow and continuing to build retirement savings. One strategy that can support this approach is a Transition to Retirement Income Stream (TRIS or TTR).i … Read more
Retirement starts long before your last day at work There are certain moments in life that reshape not just your finances, but the way you live. Starting a family, moving overseas for a job, changing careers – retirement belongs in that same category in terms of its significance. Traditionally, retirement has been viewed as a … Read more
Floating rate bonds tend to receive less attention than shares or fixed rate bonds. Yet in Australia, floating rate bonds are far from niche. They play a starring role in Australia’s credit market as the favoured source of debt funding by the major banks. Floating rates are a familiar concept in our financial lives too, … Read more
Many people are surprised to learn that some of their largest assets may not be covered by their will. With recent changes affecting testamentary trusts and ongoing complexity around superannuation death benefits, now is a good time to review your arrangements. New rules announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget, combined with the growing complexity … Read more
If your insurer offers a cash settlement instead of organising repairs, it’s important to understand what you’re agreeing to. What is a home insurance cash settlement? If you submit a claim on your home insurance, the insurer might offer to pay you an agreed amount (a cash settlement) instead of arranging repairs or replacing damaged items. If … Read more
If the financial markets could talk, then bonds would probably be saying: “We’re not convinced the story is over yet”. Bond yields have been rising around the world as investors reassess the outlook for inflation, economic growth and government borrowing. The moves have been significant enough to influence mortgage rates, government finances and investment portfolios. … Read more
Separation or divorce can bring emotional and financial change. Super is often overlooked at this time, but it can be one of the most significant assets to understand when dividing property and planning for the future. Separation or divorce can turn your world upside down. There’s the emotional fallout, the logistics, the life admin – … Read more
There is something deeply hopeful about the fact that we are living longer than previous generations. Advances in medicine, safer living conditions and better healthcare have given many of us more time than our grandparents could have imagined. But alongside that good news is a quieter reality that deserves attention. Researchers now talk about the … Read more
When growing up, many kids earned pocket money by babysitting, mowing lawns, walking dogs or washing cars for their neighbours. Part-time jobs delivering local papers or circulars (junk mail) were also popular. At home, some kids got a weekly allowance in cash that increased slightly each year. Others didn’t – the amount and the “inflation … Read more
Family trusts have long been a popular structure for managing business income, investments and succession planning. However, a major change is proposed from 1 July 2028, with the Federal Government planning to introduce a 30 per cent minimum tax on discretionary trust income and reduce some of the tax advantages these structures have traditionally offered.i … Read more
Retirement can be a time when people may try to take advantage of your trust. Protect your money from people you know Elder financial abuse Elder financial abuse is a form of financial abuse and a serious problem in Australia. Many older Australians can be at greater risk of elder financial abuse as they are … Read more
Diversification is an investment management strategy that reduces the impact of some of your investments performing poorly. What is diversification When it comes to investing your money, diversification means spreading your money across a number of different investments, to reduce the overall volatility of your portfolio. For example, you can spread your money across types … Read more
