by James Coyle | Mar 8, 2024 | Centrelink Age Pension
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...
by Kaye Fallick | Mar 8, 2024 | Retirement Spending
Surveys tell us that the lifestage of retirement can be one of the most contented periods of our lives. One widespread positive sentiment is the sense of control over your own destiny, no longer having to answer to an employer’s needs Monday to Friday. But getting...
by James Coyle | Mar 4, 2024 | Centrelink Age Pension
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 combined. The...
by Kaye Fallick | Feb 29, 2024 | Superannuation
Australian super fund returns for Calendar Year 2023 were robust, with an average 9.6% return reported for balanced funds. But not all super funds deliver in the same way. And somewhat ironically, the category called ‘Choice’ funds has been called out for poor...
by James Coyle | Feb 29, 2024 | Superannuation
On 1 July the limits on super contributions will increase. This increase will apply to both concessional and non-concessional super contributions, so there’s something in this for everyone. It’s the first such rise in contribution limits for three years, so here’s a...
by James Coyle | Feb 22, 2024 | Retirement Advice
We asked and you responded… You may recall that we asked you to answer a short 5-minute Retirement Pulse survey a couple of weeks ago. Well you did. And to say that your answers delighted us is an understatement. Here’s why. They shared a lot of common sense and were...
by Kaye Fallick | Feb 22, 2024 | Retirement Spending
The funding of aged care can seem complex and that’s because there are different contributions for different aspects of care. Deeming also plays a part. Many people will delay discussions about, aged care, or underplay the need for a reasonable understanding of aged...
by Drew Patchell | Feb 19, 2024 | Centrelink Age Pension
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 showing the...
by James Coyle | Feb 15, 2024 | Centrelink Age Pension
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 little...
by James Coyle | Feb 15, 2024 | Centrelink Age Pension
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 topic for a...
