Here's what you'll get The twice-yearly Age Pension increase is due to land on 20 March. We reported in mid February our predictions for singles and couples, and we’re pleased to say our predictions were correct within a few cents. The table below shows the...
It’s that time of year again when we receive clearer signals about the magnitude of Age Pension indexation scheduled for 20 March. From 20 March 2024 the maximum full Age Pension increases $19.60 per fortnight for a single person and $29.40 for a couple...
The average processing time for claims with Services Australia has continued to rise steadily since the start of the decade. Services Australia chief executive officer David Hazlehurst reported the latest numbers at the Senate Estimates meeting last week...
Can Age Pensioners ever save? This is a topic that comes up a lot. Because the primary source of income for nearly 70% of retirees is a full or part Age Pension, the ‘liveability’ of the pension is of critical importance. But one Age Pensioner may bear...
Most of us can cope with adversity if it doesn’t arrive as a total surprise. Knowing what’s coming is often the best way to put plans in place to mitigate financial shocks. That’s why the subject of deeming rates needs to raised. All’s been quiet on this...
We enjoy receiving member questions for a range of reasons. The main one is because our whole team wants to help Australians maximise their retirement income and answering tricky questions is one way of doing this. But another reason why we value the...
You may recall our article in December which shared tips from Steven Sadler? We asked him what works best when dealing with Centrelink and he responded with some really useful insights into how to progress your Centrelink interactions, including the best...
Australian society is witnessing the greatest intergenerational transfer of wealth ever seen. According to McCrindle Research, an estimated $3 trillion will be bequeathed to adult children over the next two decades. We don’t all have parents like the driven,...
Simple sums that share the rules The Retirement Essentials advice team is currently handling a lot of questions about Age Pension eligibility and the gifting of money or possessions to family members. At one level, the rules are fairly straightforward. But...