James Coyle

James has over 35 years experience in financial services with particular expertise in two of the key components of retirement finance - Superannuation and the Age Pension. He is passionate about providing the guidance and support that can help older Australians enjoy their best possible retirement. He lives in regional Victoria surrounded by dogs and chooks.
A few things about Centrelink … that you need to know

A few things about Centrelink … that you need to know

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A member recently asked us how long it is reasonable to wait for a response from Centrelink. That’s not an easy question to answer. The short answer is, ‘it depends’. The longer answer is equally complicated, as it still depends on many different aspects of your question or application.

Talking about this with Steven Sadler from the Retirement Essentials Customer Services Team, we learned so much useful information. So we decided that it was best to share his insights and tips as they will help fast-track answers for many Retirement Essentials members.

Age Pension changes: Check your entitlements

Age Pension changes: Check your entitlements

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The good news this week is that all Age Pension payment and threshold changes are now live. So you can use our Age Pension Eligibility Calculator to check your new payments or eligibility status immediately.

And there are two other important changes which also apply from 20 September.

The first is that eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) just got even easier.

And the second is that the rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) has increased.

It’s tax time: But are you inadvertently paying too much?

It’s tax time: But are you inadvertently paying too much?

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The latest research into the number of retirees in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, confirms that there are now more than four million. But as numbers increase, so do the many definitions of retirement. Some of these so-called retirees are still working part-time and others do ad hoc project work.

Where the retirement ‘status’ gets very confusing is when it comes to your super.
Aaron Minney, head of retirement research at annuity provider Challenger, tells us that about 1.3 million super accounts held by those aged over 65 are still in accumulation mode. He suggests, based upon information from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, that the value of this ‘pot’ of savings is about $225 billion. These accounts still pay tax on earnings.