A super balance of $1 million is often presented as the magic number for a comfortable retirement. But most experts say it depends on your lifestyle and retirement expectations. Variables include whether you own your own home outright, your health and dependents who need or may need your financial assistance. The size of your retirement…
Your future’s on the line. Don’t stay on hold in 2025. Is it March already? It’s time to start nurturing your future self by doing this one thing to get your long-term finances in order. Nine in 10 wealthy Australians are quietly doing it already*, new research from Colonial First State (CFS) shows. If it…
Ever wondered how the wealthy manage their money and what they do differently from the average Australian? New research* from Colonial First State (CFS) has uncovered seven secret financial habits that will help you build wealth. How do well off Australians create and maintain their wealth? From CFS’ research* over the past two years, there…
Many women in their 50s are asking themselves: “How do I prepare for retirement without financial stress? Can I reduce my working hours or transition to a new career without jeopardising my future?” If you’re wondering the same, you’re not alone. The good news is that with the right strategy and advice, you can build…
Extra payments into super, no matter how tiny, can do a lot for your balance. It doesn’t have to be a regular amount or a big lump sum to make a difference. More bang for your buck Putting money away for spending in 10, 20 or 30 years’ time is a lot to ask. But…
Earnings season is coming up for ASX investors. Following is what to look for… Companies face sustained pressure from high rates • JB HiFi and Wesfarmers’ Kmart focus points. ASX-listed companies will reveal their half year results in the coming weeks – and investors should be looking for high quality earnings and consistent…
The Government has legislated changes to the cost of residential aged care, for Australians entering care from 1 July 2025. A female aged 65 today has a 59% probability of entering aged care at some point in their lifetime. For a 65-year-old male, the probability is 43%. At some point in our lifetime we are…
There are no prescribed steps for winding up an SMSF, however there are a number of specific requirements that must be satisfied. Overview There are a number of reasons why a fund may need to be wound up including: The members have insufficient assets to justify having an SMSF. Running the SMSF has become too onerous. The…
There are many benefits to receiving an Age Pension or even a part pension, but there are limits to what level of income or assets you can have, to be eligible. Regarding assets, the key limits as at 20 September 2024 are as follows: To receive a full pension, assets (excluding the value of the…
How do you find the sweet spot between using your retirement savings to enjoy a comfortable standard of living, and investing so you won’t run out of money in the future? It’s a big question for many retirees. Two in three retirees (69%) are concerned about running out of money in retirement, according to new…