Working when retired – Is it worth it?

Working when retired – Is it worth it?

by | Jun 6, 2022 | Retirement Income

One of the major myths about retirees is that they don’t work. This is the opposite of what’s really happening. Many retirees are still in the paid work force, albeit working fewer hours. Just as many others are beavering away doing volunteer work. In fact It’s...
Retiree costs continue to increase

Retiree costs continue to increase

by | Jun 6, 2022 | Retirement Spending

Last week the Association of Super Funds of Australia (ASFA) released its March quarter Retirement Standard which measures household costs for those in retirement. The news isn’t good, with annual percentage increases the largest since 2010. The ASFA Retirement...
Private Savings

Private Savings

by | May 30, 2022 | Retirement Income

This week we turn to the fourth pillar of retirement income – private savings. As we reported in our other story this week, a significant proportion of Retirement Essentials members (71%)  reported that they are accessing private savings or investments as one of the...
Where does your money come from?

Where does your money come from?

by | May 30, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension

Over the last few weeks we have been running a Pillars of Retirement series.  This series outlines the many ways people fund their retirement. These five major pillars are: The Age Pension.  For most people this is the most important source of income in retirement. ...
Free flu shots

Free flu shots

by | May 23, 2022 | Planning for Retirement

Whether you live in the sunny north or chilly south in our wide brown land, flu season is officially upon us, so it’s important to protect your health as rigorously as possible. With so much attention given to the Covid-19 epidemic, it’s easy to overlook the fact that...
When is a loan a gift?

When is a loan a gift?

by | May 23, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension

And why does Centrelink care? A few weeks ago we recounted how the gifting rules worked for Mary, Jeffrey and Hannah. We received a lot of questions from members who were totally confused as to whether they had loaned or gifted money to family and friends. And some...
Superannuation – the third pillar

Superannuation – the third pillar

by | May 23, 2022 | Superannuation

As we’ve noted already, there was a huge focus on superannuation in the last week of the election campaign, in particular, the change in the ‘downsizing’ rules. This proposal would mean that those wishing to put extra money into super, from the sale of a home, can do...
What of those who rent in retirement?

What of those who rent in retirement?

by | May 13, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension

Is it even doable? Our main topic this week shared the many ways that wealth in the home can be used to increase retirement income. But not everyone owns a home and those who don’t deserve support to fully understand all their options as well. It was once a rule of...