SRS Advice | 2023 August

Some recent questions on Australian inflation

Posted at 17 Aug 2023 in General Interest by Strategic Retirement Solutions

Key points The Australian inflation rate peaked in the December quarter but has been slower to decline than some global peers. While interest rate rises are helping to reduce inflation (especially as discretionary consumer spending slows), rises in domestic energy prices, a tight rental market...

Your guide to gearing

Posted at 17 Aug 2023 in General Interest by Strategic Retirement Solutions

There are a number of considerations when it comes to gearing, the investment assets you may choose to gear and the way you structure your debt. A gearing strategy can be set at three levels: Positive gearing - where income from the investment exceeds the interest...

Understanding your investment options

Posted at 17 Aug 2023 in General Interest by Strategic Retirement Solutions

Investing is full of jargon and technical terms that can make getting started or managing your investments seem intimidating. Here are some of the key terms to help you better understand the different options available to you. Common investing terms There are a few terms that you’ll...

How to monitor carried forward concessional contributions

Posted at 17 Aug 2023 in General Interest by Strategic Retirement Solutions

You may be eligible to make concessional contributions that are greater than the annual cap if you haven’t fully used your concessional cap in an earlier year. This could help you to save even more for retirement, while also managing tax. What are concessional contributions? There are...

How to help grow your money through compound interest

Posted at 17 Aug 2023 in General Interest by Strategic Retirement Solutions

Earning interest on interest: learn how the power of compounding can send your savings rocketing. Key takeaways Compound interest enables you to earn interest on interest which is accumulated over time. The effect of compound interest becomes extremely powerful over a long timeframe as the amount...

Granny flat arrangements within the context of the gifting rules

Posted at 17 Aug 2023 in Centrelink, General Interest by Strategic Retirement Solutions

There are special rules for granny flat arrangements that may prevent the deprivation rules from applying. However they must satisfy a range of requirements. Retirees wanting to downsize their home may consider the option of living in a granny flat or an extension to / spare...

Economic update May 2023

Posted at 17 Aug 2023 in Economic Updates, General Interest by Strategic Retirement Solutions

July was a relatively uneventful month in financial markets and volatility remained low. Generally speaking, risk assets continued to perform well despite a sharp increase in the oil price. In fact July was the best month for oil since January 2022. Inflation seems to be coming off...

Are you getting the Age Pension you’re entitled to?

Posted at 17 Aug 2023 in General Interest by Strategic Retirement Solutions

If you receive the Age Pension, recent changes to means testing for retirees could put more money in your pocket. These changes impact the assessment of certain lifetime income streams that began on or after 1 July 2019 (including any that you take up now). Lifetime...