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...
by James Coyle | Apr 22, 2022 | Centrelink Age Pension
Are retirees doing it tougher? As you are well aware, Election 2022 is underway. Claims, counter claims, promises and allegations are flying thick and fast. And during the past two weeks we have seen two older men (Ray from Newcastle and Fred from the Hunter Valley)...
by James Coyle | Apr 14, 2022 | Planning for Retirement
And why is it critical to know how long you will live? Back in 1908 when the Age Pension was first introduced in the Australian Federal Parliament there were two striking features. It was for men only. And the life expectancy of men who would receive this benefit at...
by James Coyle | Apr 14, 2022 | Retirement Income
So why are older Australians penalised for earning more? Current economic data confirms that Australia now has too few workers for jobs that urgently need to be done. With unemployment hovering around 4% and predicted to tighten further there are now jobs available...
by James Coyle | Apr 14, 2022 | Retirement Income
Is a secure income stream achievable? While there are many headlines promising to help you to ‘retire rich’, most Retirement Essentials members have different expectations. The majority tell us that ‘rich’ isn’t a believable goal. They simply wish to maintain a secure...
by James Coyle | Apr 11, 2022 | Planning for Retirement
Is using a TTR the best of both worlds? The days of an abrupt end to full time work, suddenly facing seven days a week of leisure are becoming a thing of the past for many older Australians. Yes, there are unforeseen life events like sickness or retrenchment which can...
