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Houses are expensive. For younger people purchasing their first home, raising a deposit can seem like an ever-growing mountain to climb. On the other hand, parents that have been in the housing market for years know the benefits of homeownership for financial security and family stability. This leads many parents to explore options for assisting their adult children to buy their first home (or even upgrade).
Lots of people will lose their job at one point in their lives. Regardless of whether a redundancy comes as a complete shock or with sufficient warning, it is often a very confronting and emotional process. It can be difficult to think about a potential redundancy and to plan for the unexpected, but there are some steps you should take while you are in secure employment to be as best prepared as possible.
A financial planner can provide advice on a whole range of financial matters you could be dealing with at different life stages. They can help you manage your debts, plan for retirement, save for your kids’ education and invest in assets, including property. Whether you’re buying your first home, starting a family, changing careers or planning for life after your kids leave the nest, financial planning can offer you all sorts of benefits..
At a time when both share and fixed interest volatility is heightened, it’s important to point out the importance of looking at the long term returns and riding out any short-term hiccups. It’s also worth noting that interest rates on cash are still very low, so while it’s a safer option compared to shares, it’s not necessarily a profitable one given the current inflationary environment. That’s where alternatives come in and why we often include them in our portfolios.
What is deeming? Services Australia (Centrelink) use “deeming” rules to work out income from your financial assets. The actual “deeming rate” (refer below) is the rate of income the government assumes a person's financial assets have earned. It forms a part of the income test for certain Centrelink payments, including the Age Pension. It can affect how much Age Pension a retiree receives.
Superannuation funds and super contributions form a strong foundation for life after retirement. If your super contributions are well managed, you can not only save taxes but also save more for your retirement. As complicated as the super system can seem, ultimately there are two types of super contributions, pre-tax and after-tax.
Depending on your level of assets and income, you may be asked to pay a means tested care fee in addition to the other costs associated with aged care. The means tested care fee is a contribution toward your day-to-day care costs such as nursing and personal care. This fee applies whether you are receiving a home care package (based on income only) or you are in residential aged care (based on income and assets).
The Australian Prudential and Regulatory Authority (APRA) is the body responsible for banking, insurance and superannuation businesses in Australia. In the super space they are endeavoring to improve outcomes for super members by eradicating poor performing funds and improving transparency across the industry.
Global bond markets have suffered significant losses since last year’s peak, as central banks worldwide tighten monetary policy to combat rising inflation. We don’t normally associate bond funds with negative returns but many of these investments are currently showing negative returns for the past 6-months.

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Latest insights

As you approach retirement, it's natural to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. After all, this is a significant life transition that requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some key points to keep in mind as you prepare for this new chapter, and why working with a financial planner can make all the difference.
In 2023 after 8 years in the industry I embarked on the journey to become a registered Financial Adviser. Completing my professional year in early 2024 was a significant milestone, since then I've had the privilege of directly helping people from all walks of life in navigate the complexities of personal finance. The journey so far has been rewarding but not entirely what I expected it might be.