That depends upon who you ask With two-thirds of older Australians relying on it, the Age Pension is a lifeline—but also a lightning rod. Designed to support those most in need, it’s highly targeted. But is it too complex? Too harsh? Or too generous in the...
As we reach the ‘business end’ of the 2025 Federal Election campaign, you may have a clear idea who you wish to vote for and why. Yet that’s not the case for everyone, with The Guardian suggesting that nearly 47% of Australian voters remain undecided or open...
What if spending some of your savings could actually increase your income in retirement? For people with assets just above the Age Pension cut-off, that’s not just wishful thinking—it’s a real and measurable opportunity. From 20 March 2025, the updated Age...
How $314,000 affects Lorraine’s Age Pension Lorraine is 71, lives in a home she owns outright, and has $314,000 in financial assets. Her savings are carefully invested in a term deposit and an Account-Based Pension (ABP). She lives modestly, doesn’t consider...
As evidenced in the strategy suggested by Andrew Dunkerley for June and Marcus, a downturn in assets is not 100% negative for those receiving Age Pension entitlements. Andrew projected the result of the decline in the couple’s assets would lead to a boost of...
Easter holidays and Anzac day mean that your Centrelink reporting and payment dates may change. Here are the main dates you need to know: Office and call centre closures Centrelink service centres (and most call centres) will close for the Easter and Anzac...
When disaster strikes, the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. For retirees, losing a home - whether due to fire, flood, or another catastrophe - could be one of the most significant challenges of their lifetime. Once the immediate needs of...
The reporting during last week’s Federal Budget that deeming rates would be frozen for another year from 1 July 2025 was a welcome one for many retirees. It was also on Retirement Essentials adviser, Nicole Bell’s wishlist when we published our preferred...
What Centrelink knows or doesn’t There’s a lot of confusion about what Centrelink knows, what it updates automatically, and what you need to report yourself. Many people assume Centrelink has direct access to their tax records, bank accounts, and...