by Jeremy Duffield | Jul 4, 2025 | Investing
How to maximise your life savings I have a bit of a shoemaker’s children problem. Happily, my grownup kids all have shoes, but while their dad has spent 45 years in the investment field, they (and their partners) have very little interest in – or knowledge of...
by Amanda Hardy Lai | Jun 27, 2025 | Retirement Advice
Retirement offers an exciting new chapter in life — but it also often brings a range of financial decisions that aren’t always straightforward. Daniel and Emma recently reached out to Retirement Essentials for much-needed assistance. Their meeting with adviser Andrew...
by Kaye Fallick | Jun 26, 2025 | Retirement Income
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But I think that’s rubbish – and slightly ageist as well. I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more interest I have in challenging myself with new habits and ideas. We realise that, if we do the same thing...
by Amanda Hardy Lai | Jun 19, 2025 | Superannuation
As the end of the financial year approaches, it’s a timely reminder for anyone drawing an income from an Account-Based Pension (ABP) to double-check they’ve met their minimum annual withdrawal requirement. ABPs are a key tool for providing tax-effective income in...
by Amanda Hardy Lai | Jun 19, 2025 | Planning for Retirement
Practical steps to understanding Retirement is a major life milestone—often exciting, but sometimes uncertain. Superannuation, Account-Based Pensions (ABPs), investments and spending plans all have moving parts, and working out how they fit together can feel...
by Louise Biti | Jun 19, 2025 | Retirement Advice
My parents listened differently when the advice came from someone outside the family. I’ve worked in aged care advice for many years. I know the rules, the timelines, the options. Through the advisers I’ve trained, I’ve helped countless families navigate this complex...
by Kaye Fallick | Jun 13, 2025 | Centrelink Age Pension
Will you now get more? On 1 July three important Age Pension limits will change. These changes will affect all full Age Pension and part-Age Pension recipients as well as all those who are yet to qualify. The changes were announced on 12 June by Minister for...
by Amanda Hardy Lai | Jun 12, 2025 | Retirement Income
The discussion following ‘Is the Age Pension Fair?’ really stirred things up, and quite rightly so. There’s clearly a strong desire amongst older Australians to stay active and boost their income in retirement. Many of you shared your stories, outlining the...
by Kaye Fallick | Jun 12, 2025 | Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
While inflation has eased off a little, prices are still increasing annually at a rate of 2.4% according to the latest annual CPI data for 31 March 2025. Those living on a restricted retirement income are all too aware of the difference that higher prices make...
by Amanda Hardy Lai | Jun 5, 2025 | Planning for Retirement
Q: We’re still working but my husband’s health isn’t great. Could we clear our mortgage using super so he can stop working sooner? That’s the question Mia brought to me recently. She and her husband Raj live in a family home in outer Melbourne. Both are in their...
