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Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Pension Payments to Increase..

In a recent announcement, pensioners are set to receive a boost to their payment rates this month to cover higher inflation. This includes an increase to the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and JobSeeker. Starting on March 20, 2023, there will be a fortnightly increase of $37.50 for single individuals receiving the age pension, resulting in a new total of $1,064. For couples, the fortnightly increase will be $56.40, with the combined payment amounting to $1,604.60.

Budgeting, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Proposed Superannuation Changes

The Government has announced that they intend to change the tax concessions on superannuation accounts, if you have a total super balance of more than $3 million. Currently, the government charges 15% tax on superannuation fund earnings, while you are still working and contributing money into super – this is known as the “accumulation phase.”

Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Don’t be scammed!

Australians are among the top targets for crypto and investment related scams according to news articles recently, following European authorities raiding a large scamming network across multiple countries including Serbia and Israel.

Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Chat GPT showcases the magic of AI

"Magic" and technology have always been intertwined, with the latter often resembling the former in its advanced form, as famously noted by Arthur C Clarke: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”.

Age pension, Budgeting, Government benefits, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Take your leave before retiring or retire and take your leave?

If you are approaching retirement and have a large amount of accrued long service leave and annual leave, there are a few things to consider when deciding to either take your leave before retiring or retire and take the leave as a lumpsum.

Age pension, Government benefits, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Death of the traditional 60/40 portfolio?

When the Future Fund - which is Australia’s $200 billion sovereign wealth fund - writes a position paper titled “The Death of Traditional Portfolio Construction?” it is sure to get the attention of the media and our clients alike. Portfolio construction has become a hot topic from late 2022, which is understandable considering cash was the best performing asset class. In fact all other asset classes were negative for the year, which last occurred in 1994 and has only occurred four times in the last 50 years.

Budgeting, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Reduce your financial stress

Keys to de-stressing a mortgage “Don't sail out farther than you can row back.” This Danish saying is sound advice for anyone with a mortgage or other debts, particularly now that interest rates are rising and house prices softening. Most Australians have a tendency to be over-confident in our ability to repay loans. We also underestimate the likelihood of things that can wrong in our lives.

Age pension, Aged care, Government benefits

Changes to cost of home care packages

There have been many complaints regarding the amount of administration fees some providers have been charging clients for managing their home care packages. This has resulted in less care package funds being available to be used for what they are intended: help around the house, personal and clinical care, assistive equipment, and other supports to help people stay safe and independent at home.

Age pension, Budgeting, Government benefits, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Is it a Need .. or a Want?

With the cost of living pressure being the hot topic of the moment, there’s no better time to start thinking about where your money’s going. While the rising cost of fuel and groceries is hard to avoid, it’s easy to not notice those non-essential spends when you’re tapping on those cheeky and convenient payWave machines.

Budgeting, Government benefits, Investment markets, Lifestyle, Pre-retirees, Retirees

Are we going to see Stagflation again?

The 1970’s were known for flared pants, safari suits, big hair, vinyl records, disco and stagflation. As a child in the 70’s I can remember most of those things I’ve just listed, except stagflation. But then again, all I really wanted to do was ride my bike faster than my mates, play test cricket for Australia and stay out of trouble at school. The economy to me back then was the bit of pocket money I would get for a few jobs around home.

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Latest insights

27 February 2026

Aged Care Higher Everyday Living Fee explained

Matthew Kelly

The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) has replaced the Extra Service Fee and Additional Service Fee as part of the new aged care rules which came into effect on 1 November 2025. The intent is to provide protection to residents purchasing additional services with their residential aged care.

21 January 2026

Will Retirement Savings Still Matter in 20 Years? Let’s Talk About It.

Michelle Sanchez

Every now and then a headline pops up that makes people stop, look twice, and wonder what on earth the future might hold. Elon Musk’s recent claim that retirement savings won’t matter in 20 years definitely falls into that category. It’s bold, it’s dramatic, and it certainly gets people talking. And it’s also very easy for a multi-billionaire to say!

10 December 2025

Will you pay more tax next year?

Will Chapman

If you or someone you know is going through a significant workplace change such as a merger or corporate change, call us. The highest profile change locally is the Adelaide Uni merger and there are plenty of others on the go.