News

12.12.2017

Choosing the date of your retirement

Is your investment strategy stopping you choosing your own retirement date? Why super isn’t the only long-term saving plan Most of us would love to be able to choose when we retire – preferably before we are too old to enjoy it. At the same time, because we are living longer, we need to be realistic about how long we are likely to be in retirement and how much money we will need to fund this time.

06.12.2017

Using investment bonds to fund education

Worried about funding your child’s education? Don’t panic – a little bit of planning goes a long way As we head into the tail end of the year, many parents are thinking about the onset of school fees – and how to afford them. Starting early and investing carefully is always best, but it’s never too late to start a savings plan to cover them.

19.10.2017

Estate planning in the post 1 July 2017

Investors spend a lifetime saving and building wealth; however, without an effective estate plan, the death of a spouse or parent can trigger a range of unintended consequences. An estate plan defines how an investor wants their assets to be managed during their lifetime and how they want them disbursed after death. So how can the recent changes to super impact estate planning?

16.12.2016

Super alternative overcomes access and investment limits

Super alternative overcomes access and investment limits On 23 November 2016, the Government’s superannuation reforms announced in the 2016/2017 Budget finally passed the Parliament. The changes are designed to “improve the fairness, sustainability, flexibility and integrity of the superannuation system”, according to Treasury. The Government also intends to enshrine the objective of superannuation in legislation, “to provide income in retirement to substitute or supplement the Age Pension.” How the new rules will lead to less in super Without debating the merits of the changes,

18.07.2016

Aging Australia: Planning retirement

With life expectancy^[1] now over 80 for both men and women, the way people are planning for retirement is changing, especially for the first wave of Baby Boomers now aged between 50 and 69 years old. Financial security is the key factor in people’s decisions about when they can retire, particularly for being able to maintain the same lifestyle that became familiar before retirement.

01.07.2016

New Funds and Upcoming Opportunities Update – Michael Blake

The second quarter economic news was dominated by volatile share markets and falling interest rates. It was reported that blue chip shares as represented by ASX 100 had risen less than 1% over the past 10 years. The Reserve Bank also lowered Australian interest rates further with the official cash rate now 1.75%. More recently, we have seen big swings in global equity markets as a result of Britain voting to leave the European Union.

30.06.2016

Looking beyond super for tax effective investment structures

With proposed changes to superannuation announced in the 2016 Federal Budget, many investors are seeking advice on their retirement planning options. Company Structures and Investment Bonds are two investment structures worth considering as a means of supplementing superannuation. Let’s take a look at them side by side Company structures may suit high net wealth clients who are happy to set up a private company to hold investments.

29.06.2016

Prepare for proposed changes to superannuation

5 things to prepare you for the proposed changes to superannuation announced in the Federal Budget 1. Tighter limits to be placed on contributions into super Concessional Contributions:  Annual cap to be reduced to $25k (AWOTE-Indexed) from 1 July 2017.  Some catch up allowances will be allowed for those with a balance under $500,000. Non – concessional contributions: To be reduced to a lifetime cap of $500,000 with immediate effect (also AWOTE-indexed) from 7.30pm 3 May 2016. 

02.06.2016

A look at dying well

It is the last thing that you will ever do, so why not do it well? The Grattan Institute, a Melbourne think tank, issued a report on dying well. The report shows that, although 70% of people want to die at home, only 14% do. Well worth a read but since you probably don’t have time,

02.06.2016

What to look for when choosing an aged care facility

Choosing an aged care facility for you or a loved one is stressful.  You should always tour the facility as they are very personal – some people like homely environments whilst others prefer to live in modern and new housing.  Here is a a guide to what to look for when you have narrowed down the options in your preferred location.