by James Coyle | May 13, 2022 | Planning for Retirement
As we head into the final week of the Federal Election campaign, many voters by now will be totally ‘over’ the promises, the rhetoric and the shouty debates. Yet many older Australians are also keenly interested in understanding the policy detail that affects them the...
by James Coyle | May 12, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
… and mortgage in retirement Boosting your retirement income is the main aim for most retirees. In this, the second part of our 5-part series on the retirement income pillars, we detail the many ways your family home can offer both security and increased income...
by James Coyle | May 5, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
Five things you may not know Last week we introduced you to the concept of the five pillars in retirement; the major sources of support that ensure income and financial wellbeing post-work. These are: The Age Pension superannuation the primary residence savings and...
by James Coyle | May 5, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
A promise to freeze deeming rates gives two years of income certainty The increase in interest rates is a mixed blessing for retirees. Higher rates are a negative for those still paying down a mortgage. They are a positive, however, if you are depending upon interest...
by James Coyle | May 5, 2022 | Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Big win for 50,000 retirees In a surprise announcement last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared an expansion of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) for 50,000 self-funded retirees over the next four years. This will be done by increasing eligibility for...
by James Coyle | Apr 29, 2022 | Retirement Income
Can you beat inflation? – Highest price rises in 20 years Last Thursday, the long awaited Consumer Price Index (CPI) update for the March 2022 quarter was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The graph below shows it all – a sharp spike in...
by James Coyle | Apr 29, 2022 | Retirement Income
With last week’s headline inflation announcement of 5.1% per annum, it has become a matter of time before the Reserve Bank (RBA) responds by increasing the underlying cash rate of 0.1%. It’s no longer a question of if, but when. Rates will almost certainly rise at the...
by James Coyle | Apr 29, 2022 | Retirement Income
Make sure your money lasts The most outstanding feature of Australia’s retirement income system has to be its complexity. During their working lives most people have managed just one source of income – their salary. If they have investments, this money typically adds...
by James Coyle | Apr 22, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
Avoid these costly errors A majority of retirees are on some form of government benefit at retirement age – just over 70% in fact. By the time retirees hit their 80s, 80% will be eligible for an Age Pension. So knowing how Centrelink works is critical. And knowing how...
by James Coyle | Apr 22, 2022 | Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Many people associate Centrelink with Age Pension needs and payments. But it is also the agency which issues and manages the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC). Another little known fact is that only 20% of those who might be eligible for this card (Australia’s...
