The Hon Scott Morrison MP handed down his second Federal Budget on the 9th of May 2017. Pleasingly, and unlike last year, superannuation has largely been left alone. The main changes involve allowing people aged 65 and over to downsize their home and gain exemptions from the superannuation caps, and also a ‘First Home Super…
The Hon Scott Morrison MP handed down his first Federal Budget on the 3rd of May 2016. There were modest changes to income tax rates and Centrelink rules but significant, and largely negative, changes to superannuation. Of most concern is that a number of the superannuation changes are retrospective and hence impact existing and established…
The end of this financial year is now only a few weeks away. Understanding the opportunities available to you can make a significant difference to your finances. Our Last Minute 2014 EOFY Planning guide contains information and strategies which can either reduce tax or increase wealth.
This is always a common question I get asked and the answer is obviously different for each client. How long you will live, what investment return you’ll achieve and what lifestyle you want are the major factors. ASIC’s Money Smart site also refers to future medical costs. With regards to lifestyle, the Association of Superannuation…
I am sure you have heard of Warren Buffett, who is generally considered to be the most successful living investor. He is CEO, chairman and president of the US listed investment company Berkshire Hathaway; which as of last night had a share price of US$187,750. Due to Buffett’s phenomenal investing success, (over the last…
Some great news for Australians is that the amount we are allowed to stick into super is about to rise. I was quoted in this article by ‘Wealth Professional’ about the changes but felt the need to expand on what exactly is is happening and the impact it will potentially have.
Both concessional and non-concessional contributions are payments made to a superannuation fund, however they are taxed differently. There are also different contribution caps for each type.
On Wednesday 6 November 2013, the Treasurer, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, and the Assistant Treasurer, Senator the Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO, announced the Government’s decision to abandon some of the previous Government’s tax and superannuation proposals. The announcement also indicated which of the former Government’s unlegislated proposals the new Coalition Government would proceed with.
If you have converted your superannuation account to a pension account then you must make withdrawals from the pension account. The minimum pension payment rates are calculated as a percentage of your account balance as at 1 July of each financial year, or when the pension is started if mid-year. The percentage is dependent on…
Conventional wisdom dictates that your portfolio should be diversified, but as this article suggests, a ‘Diversified Fund’ may not be the best way to achieve diversification.