Today
Can I give my money to kids and still get the age pension?
Questions from parents asking about gifting money to children have been quite common this year, say advisers.
- John Wasiliev
This Month
- Opinion
- Retirement living
Why the first five years are the most important in retirement
Stopping work is not the finishing line, but the start of an exciting life chapter. There’s important psychological and financial prep work to do first.
- Tim Mackay
- Opinion
- Inheritance
Baby Boomers and their families ‘ill prepared’ for big wealth transfer
That women are likely to be the biggest inheritance recipients is good for financial gender equality outcomes, but there is work to be done.
- Bianca Hartge-Hazelman
- Opinion
- Aged care
The government subsidy you can get no matter how wealthy you are
If you want to stay in your own home as you get older, understanding how the finances work – and what support is available – can help you make the right decisions.
- Louise Biti
- Opinion
- Inheritance
The procrastination that sliced $75,000 off an inheritance
A delay in passing on a reversionary pension to a woman after the death of her husband had big tax implications for her two adult children when she died.
- Peter Townsend
September
Can I withdraw $500,000 from my super fund as a lump sum?
The answer is yes, but how you do it could make all the difference to potential inheritance top-ups later.
- John Wasiliev
- Opinion
- Aged care
Family help and other mistakes to avoid in aged care
Errors with planning and funding can be costly and difficult to rectify. Here is what you need to know.
- Louise Biti
August
- Opinion
- Divorce
How the financial toll of divorce gets uglier through the years
The most detrimental financial consequences of separation occur many years into the future, especially as retirement looms. That’s why choosing the right life partner can be your best financial decision.
- Tim Mackay
- Opinion
- Retirement living
Do this before you retire (so the banks don’t turn you away)
The biggest losers in the banking sector are Baby Boomers – that’s why it’s worth getting these things sorted before your last salary is paid.
- Bec Wilson
- Opinion
- Aged care
How impatient kids rip off their parents
Getting an early inheritance and taking over the family home are two dangers when children have an enduring power of attorney for an ageing mum or dad.
- Louise Biti
- Opinion
- Inheritance
Is a super withdrawal just before death tax-free? This is the ATO view
A recent ruling may have implications for SMSFs for an inheritance strategy recommended by many advisers.
- Peter Townsend
Starting a family a ‘luxury’ as cost of living bites
Surging expenses are prompting young Australians to change their approach to having children.
- Lucy Dean
How $100 extra a week can cut your home loan by $143,000
Despite the RBA leaving rates at 4.1 per cent, here are three ways to ease repayments for borrowers who are for the first time feeling the full impact of 12 cash rate rises since May last year.
- Duncan Hughes
July
- Opinion
- Aged care
Aged care residents to be slugged with 7.9pc interest rate
On accommodation worth $500,000, this means extra payments of almost $16,000 a year for those who don’t pay the full deposit.
- Bina Brown
- Opinion
- Superannuation
How to stop your new partner pinching your kids’ inheritance
This is also helpful if your children’s parent is the remaining spouse because it quarantines the estate from potential new relationships.
- Peter Townsend
- Opinion
- Aged care
Don’t go into shock when you get first aged care bill
Cash flow plans can be thrown into chaos if the first invoice shows much higher fees than expected. This is what to do.
- Louise Biti
When it’s time to let the kids get involved in your finances
This is how to plan for a little help as you get older without causing a family feud.
- Michael Hutton
June
Big bonuses coming your way from four key super changes
Higher caps mean you can ramp up non-concessional contributions, retirees can begin pensions with more tax-free money and younger savers get a bigger kick-start.
- Hannah Wootton
What homeowners and buyers need to know about incoming changes
First-time buyer schemes are being expanded to ease cost pressures but off-the-plan buyers in Victoria will lose concessions.
- Duncan Hughes
- Opinion
- Aged care
How to navigate changes to aged care packages
Home care scheme recipients have been warned to expect providers to increase their prices to cover the wage and other cost increases.
- Bina Brown
