Some investors find it satisfying to take a do-it-yourself approach to retirement savings – taking on the responsibility for the growth of their retirement savings in a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF). While you have total control over how your retirement funds are invested within the confines of the laws, many factors need to be considered … Read more
Balancing financial and work commitments with caring for children is possible with a little planning. Set clear expectations at work Before you return to work, talk to your employer. Discuss how you’ll manage your new family responsibilities and work commitments. Ask for flexible work arrangements If you’ve been with the same employer for at least … Read more
Staying the course is sage advice for long-term investors anxious about market volatility — and for good reason By looking at how markets have performed over time, we can put current events into context and appreciate the benefits of a long-term and well diversified investing strategy. The following three charts highlight the importance of staying … Read more
Check your super When you start to plan for retirement, you’ll need to check your super: where it is how much you have whether you have lost or unclaimed super consider consolidating accounts where relevant that your details are up-to-date with the ATO and your super funds. You can do this in 5 simple steps with … Read more
You can get your super when you retire and reach your ‘preservation age’. This is between 55 and 60, depending on when you were born. Or when you reach age 65, even if you are still working. There are special circumstances where you can access your super early. When you can get your super You … Read more
Your relationship with money is deeply rooted in your past, often shaped during your formative years by early experiences and the attitudes you observed from your primary caregivers. These influences, absorbed primarily during the imprint period, frequently become ingrained as your personal truth, consciously or unconsciously impacting how you handle finances as an adult. Limiting … Read more
About 14% of Australians experienced personal fraud last year. Of these, 2.1 million experienced credit card fraud, 675,300 were caught in a scam, 255,000 had their identities stolen and 433,000 were impersonated online. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics latest Personal Fraud Survey, between July 2023 and June 2024, Australians lost A$2.1 billion through … Read more
The number of Australians aged over 65 is expected to more than double in the next 40 years while the number of people aged over 85 is predicted to triple in that time.i Aged care funding and services have seen major changes in the years since the 2021 report of the Royal Commission into Aged … Read more
More than half of us set a new financial goal at the beginning of 2025, according to ASIC’s Moneysmart website. While most financial goals include saving money and paying down debts, the months leading up to 30 June provide an opportunity to review your super balance to look at ways to boost your retirement savings. … Read more
Work out how long your super or account-based pension will last There are many variables that come into play when calculating how long your super or account-based pension will last in retirement, and it can be challenging to figure it out alone. If you’ve transferred your super to a pension account already, then you can … Read more
A good estate plan will help make sure your wishes are carried out when you die. It can also help if you become unable to make your own decisions. Estate plans An estate plan records what you want done with your assets after your death. It can include documents such as: your will a testamentary … Read more
Review your investments regularly to make sure you’re on track to reach your financial goals and you’re comfortable with the investment risks. Find out how to review your investments’ performance and what to do if you’re not getting the returns you expect. Monitor your investments regularly How often you review your investments will depend on: … Read more
