Let’s look at why you might consider including bonds in your investment portfolio and how interest rates affect their value. Key takeaways Bonds can provide a stable source of income and can protect the money you invest. They can generally be considered less risky than growth...
The 2024 Federal Budget provides cost of living relief through 1 July tax cuts, lower power bills, higher welfare payments and support for small businesses. Note: These changes are proposals only and may or may not be made law. You should speak to your financial adviser...
Is high Australian household wealth a source of support for consumers? Key points Australia ranked as having one of the lowest rates of disposable income growth per capita amongst OECD countries in mid 2023. An increasing income tax burden and mortgage repayments have weighed on income...
Many people continue, or even start, working once they’ve reached Age Pension age. This may be for social reasons, personal fulfilment or to maintain their standard of living. With the higher cost of living at the moment, even more pensioners are taking up work. But what...
In the 2016 Federal Budget, the Government introduced the transfer balance cap as part of a broader superannuation reform package. The transfer balance cap imposes a lifetime limit on the amount of superannuation that can be transferred into a tax free retirement pension account. While...
It’s a dilemma many of us face – are we better off directing extra money to our mortgage or super? As with most financial decisions, it’s not a one size fits all approach and here are some factors to consider in deciding what’s right for...
Key points Inflation is in retreat thanks to improved supply and cooling demand. A further fall is likely this year. Australian inflation remains relatively high – but this mainly reflects lags rather than a more inflation prone economy. Profit gouging or wages were not the...
Economic and market overview A rally in the second half of the month helped global share markets generate solid gains in January, extending the rally from November and December. The latest indicators suggest economic conditions are holding up quite well in most regions, which augurs well for...
As scams continue to evolve, it’s important to stay on top of the latest information. Here are some tips for staying protected against some of the most common scams impacting Australians today and red flags to watch out for. What can you do to stay protected? Anyone can...
Setting up your SMSF is just the beginning. Make sure you’re aware of your obligations as an SMSF trustee and get the most out of your fund with this quick guide. While the list of SMSF administrative tasks and responsibilities may seem daunting, it’s there for...
