In short: The Reserve Bank cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points in August to 3.6 per cent, after July’s shock ‘on hold’ decision. The average owner-occupier with a $750,000 mortgage as of February will see their minimum monthly repayment fall $111 if their bank passes on the cut, taking the cumulative reduction this year…
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Protecting retirement income from inflation The fall in inflation from multi decade highs is good news for the Australian economy. Many retirees are struggling to manage their cost of living because of the cumulative impact inflation has had on their financial position. Looking forward, retirees need a portfolio that is protected from inflation risks so…
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The amount of super you need to support your retirement will depend on what kind of lifestyle you’re hoping to enjoy and how much income you’ll be earning in addition to your super savings. Income from the Age Pension, part-time work and other financial investments will affect the amount of super you need to retire…
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Australian housing values rose another 0.6% in June, marking a fifth straight month of growth since conditions flattened out through the end of last year. Demonstrating the broad based nature of the upswing, monthly gains were recorded across almost every broad region of Australia, with Hobart the only region to see a month on month…
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Global Financial markets rallied in July after the US struck trade deals with Japan and the EU, which involved a reduction in the tariff rate in exchange for over $1 trillion in combined investment and purchased commitments, supporting both equities and broader risk sentiment. While gold has been supported year to date (YTD) by safe-haven…
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If you’re looking for ways to potentially increase your retirement savings while reducing tax, carry forward concessional contributions could be a good option. Carry forward concessional contributions If you’ve had time out of work raising kids or for other lifestyle reasons, or you haven’t had the money to boost your super until now, you could…
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A strong year for share returns Global shares delivered very strong returns in the past financial year. Optimism on the promise of ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI) as well as progress towards lower global inflation and interest rates have been the key positive drivers for rising global share prices. These strong share gains come despite the tragic…
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Wills aren’t just for later in life and you should really have one when you start earning. And as money and family matters can be complex, it makes sense to get help. Who needs a Will anyway? A Will is something you might think you only need once you’re a millionaire or close to retirement.…
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One of the keys drivers of happiness in retirement is the peace of mind that comes from financial security. However, US tariff announcements since the start of April have added uncertainty to financial markets, adding an extra layer of complexity for many retirees. Policy positions have fluctuated as tariffs are paused, reversed or adjusted, leaving…
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We’re all familiar with the concept of super. It’s that portion of our salary that employers are required to contribute to a super fund on our behalf, with the goal of providing us with financial security in retirement. But what not everyone is aware of is that relying solely on your employer’s contributions might not…
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