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, however, generally your SMSF must not: lend or … 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 tariff on most goods. On July 31, however, the … 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 Australians are eligible to receive Age Pension payments every … 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 reducing a portfolio’s overall diversification. For example, if equities perform exceptionally well, a portfolio that was initially well-diversified … 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, a common scenario is having multiple superannuation accounts, which can lead to … 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 structures are now being used is part … 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? That’s a … 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 capital gain when you … 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 reported by various … 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
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
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
