by James Coyle | Oct 16, 2023 | Superannuation
Recently released data shows that 28 Australians hold more than $100 million in super and 107 hold more than $50 million. These look like eye watering numbers, particularly when you realise that the earnings on these super accounts are taxed at the same level as...
by James Coyle | Oct 4, 2023 | Centrelink Age Pension, Retirement Income
Recent research from financial services provider, AMP, reports that 70% of Australians do not know what an Account-Based Pension is. We doubt this is the case with Retirement Essentials members, but it was a handy reminder that the complexity of many aspects of...
by James Coyle | Oct 4, 2023 | Centrelink Age Pension
Last month Steven (who’s head of our Customer Services Team) answered a series of questions about whether our members should be receiving a single or couples Age Pension. These questions coincided with new Age Pension increases, with many people questioning whether...
by James Coyle | Oct 4, 2023 | Superannuation
Last week Laura asked us a question, which on the face of it, is quite straightforward: ‘I have switched my super to pension mode and so I now have an Account-Based Pension. Does this mean I can’t move any more money into super?’ Well it might, but it probably doesn’t...
by James Coyle | Oct 2, 2023 | Centrelink Age Pension
Services Australia workers are gearing up for a 24-hour strike next week, leaving many Australians wondering about the impact on Centrelink payments and services. The strike, scheduled for Monday, October 9, is a response to a government pay rise offer that has...
by James Coyle | Sep 27, 2023 | Retirement Advice
Life is risky whether we like it or not. Most of us spend a lot of time worrying about risks and trying to counter them. But there is no such thing as a risk-free environment. Some aspects of risk are outside our control. Some we can manage and reduce. But...
by James Coyle | Sep 27, 2023 | Planning for Retirement
Q. I’d like to travel overseas for six months. Do I need to wait until Age Pension age? I’m only 61 and really want to head off now. That’s the question that Anishka posed a few weeks back. She’s single, 61 and has a strong desire to enjoy extended travel experiences...
by James Coyle | Sep 27, 2023 | Retirement Income
At the end of August Vanguard Super released insights from its How Australia Retires study. This report focused on gender differences in retirement planning and retirement income. At one level you might ask if we learn anything new from such surveys or are the reports...
by James Coyle | Sep 22, 2023 | Retirement Advice
Why you won’t run out The most important fact when planning retirement funding is not your savings, but how long they will need to last. This can lead to stress for many retirees who are concerned about running out. But this stress can be managed quite easily by using...
by James Coyle | Sep 22, 2023 | Superannuation
We recently reported on a statement by Aaron Minney, head of research for annuities provider, Challenger, which we believe is a massive game changer. Aaron said that it’s important for retirees to stop viewing their super as a ‘nest egg’ and to consider it, instead,...
