Seven reasons for optimism on the Australian economy
Key points – The mostly gloomy debate around the Australian economy often gives the impression we are in a constant state of crisis. – But economic growth is pretty good, the economy has rebalanced without the (“inevitable”) recession, the worst of the mining bust looks to be behind us, public infrastructure spending is ramping up, […]
Government support in retirement
What is the Age Pension? The purpose of the Age Pension is to make sure you have enough income in retirement. It is a fortnightly payment made by the government to help you meet the cost of living, if your retirement savings are below a certain level. To be eligible for the Age Pension, you […]
Megatrends Key points – Key megatrends relevant for investors are: slower growth in household debt; the backlash against economic rationalism & rise of populism; geopolitical tensions; aging and slowing populations; low commodity prices; technological innovation & automation; the Asian ascendancy & China’s growing middle class; rising environmental awareness; and the energy revolution. – Most of […]
What is estate planning? Estate planning is about wealth succession – a way to help protect the wealth you have built over your lifetime, so that it is distributed according to your wishes following your death. You spend a large part of your life working to earn money to look after yourself, to provide for […]
What is insurance? Insurance is a form of protection – a way to protect yourself, your family and the things you own if something goes wrong. It enables you to replace or repair your assets, whether those assets are your belongings or your capacity to earn income. Everybody’s circumstances are different, but insurance is important […]
What is gearing? In simple terms, gearing is borrowing money to invest. The investment could be in direct shares or managed investments, such as an equity trust, balanced fund or property. Gearing is, in essence, directed towards producing a larger investment return by using borrowed funds, often in addition to your own funds, so that […]
What is superannuation? Superannuation, or ‘super’, is a way to save money for your future. It is important to understand how much super you’ll need, and how to best manage the money for your retirement. Through super, you can hold a wide range of investments such as shares, property and cash. Superannuation is attractive because […]
What is retirement income? During your working life you receive regular income in the form of a salary or business income. In retirement, this regular income stops, so you need to draw on your savings to meet your lifestyle costs. You set up your savings so you still receive regular payments, just like a salary. […]
What is a budget? A budget is a plan that works out how you will manage your income and expenses. Maintaining a budget is a powerful way to control your money. Do you need a budget? A budget allows you to see how much money is coming in and going out. It helps you ensure […]
What is transition to retirement? Transition to retirement is a strategy that can help you reduce your working hours while maintaining the same level of income. This is achieved by drawing a pension from superannuation using the ‘transition to retirement’ condition of release. Everyone who is preservation age (currently 55) but less than 65 years […]