Maria and Carlos’s dilemma How will an inheritance affect your Age Pension entitlements? Many Retirement Essentials readers ask this question. As life expectancy increases, it’s not unusual for people to receive an inheritance much later in life—often when...
At the time of writing we still don’t know when the Federal Election will be held, except that it will be before the end of May. This means that we still expect a Federal Budget to be delivered on 25 March. Even if an election is called, it is likely we will...
Avoiding costly Centrelink mistakes with expert advice from Retirement Essential’s Head of Customer Service, Steven Sadler Navigating Centrelink rules can be challenging, and many retirees are unsure about their entitlements and how to apply. At Retirement...
A few weeks before 20 March and September, the team at Retirement Essentials is usually able to predict (within a few cents) the expected Age Pension indexation change. This indexation of the base rate occurs twice a year. The main Age Pension supplement is...
Over the holidays, did you host a family gathering and wonder ‘Do we really need a home this large when we only use all the rooms once a year?’. Or did you daydream about what your ideal retirement home could look like? Closer to the grandkids, easier to...
As 2025 arrives, there are several significant changes coming that could affect your retirement planning and superannuation strategy. Understanding exactly what these changes mean in your particular situation helps you stay ahead. 1. Super Guarantee rate...
What you need to know As we head into a new year, there’s that wonderful sense of optimism and opportunity. This often means the chance to do things differently, to make the changes we believe might make our lives better, in whatever way matters most. At...
And how to avoid ‘the gap’ Qualifying for an Age Pension is a process most Australians will experience at some stage in their retirement. Timing your application and knowing how back pay works will help you to avoid missing out on much-needed income....
If you’re one of the majority of retirees who receives a full or part Age Pension or a DVA payment, you’ll be keen to know Centrelink service options over the holiday break. Opening hours Centrelink will be closed: Wednesday 25 December 2024 Thursday 26...