Steve and Jenny had recently retired, but had a nagging feeling that they could have organised their super better. Their balance was substantial, but they wanted a second opinion on whether they had missed anything that mattered when it came to accessing...
Your questions on gifting answered When we wrote about the basics of gifting in late December, we thought Amanda Hardy Lai’s article, Gifting gone wrong, had covered most of the detail. But the thing the team at Retirement Essentials loves most about our...
I remember presenting to an investors’ association and talking about long-term investing. It was a fun group, mostly retirees. One guy quipped: “What’s long term? We’re so old we don’t even buy green bananas any more.” Well, that certainly...
Do you need to reconsider your financial approach based on changes? Some life events make it obvious that it’s time to revisit your finances - being made redundant, receiving an inheritance, or a major health event. But smaller, less noticeable changes...
We can all get a dopamine hit from choosing the perfect gift, knowing the happiness it can spark. But in the realm of financial planning, not every act of generosity comes without strings. Without careful thought, well-meaning gifts can backfire,...
Here’s what you need to know Making the decision to move to a retirement village is a significant life change. It’s not just about finding a new place to live; it’s about a lifestyle that will shape your next chapter. Whether you’re drawn to the social...
Maintaining control of your super It’s a question many of us don’t think about - until we’re asked to make a nomination when opening a superannuation account or starting an Account-Based Pension (ABP). For many Australians, super is one of their largest...
The right advice at the right time can be invaluable. Sometimes it is just a little help to solve a nagging problem. Other times, it’s just to confirm your decisions. Or it might be to unlock and explain the myriad of rules that apply, and...
It depends on how you use it Linda and Helen are sisters in their early 70s. They both live in their own separate homes and receive the full Age Pension entitlement. Neither has a mortgage. Their uncle died recently and they were both surprised to receive...