Women and Super

Salary Sacrifice, Super Contributions, Women and Super, , ,

 

Kristian FalconerEarlier this year in April, the Federal government released the provocatively titled report ‘A Husband is not a Retirement Plan – Achieving Economic Security for Women in Retirement’.

More recently, the annual Federal government Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Equal Pay Day report, which lists the inequalities between the salaries of women and men in Australia, was released on 8 September.

Both make for challenging reading for women when it comes to thinking about how to control their financial future, including how to best prepare, invest and save for retirement.

Continue reading Women and Super →

Transition to Retirement Pension – will they remain relevant?

Financial Planning, Investment, Retirement, Reviews, Salary Sacrifice, Super Contributions, Transition to Retirement, ,

Glynn 3 - cropped2

Our July blog on Uncertain Times for Super struck a chord with readers who are definitely interested in being kept up-to-date with the changes to superannuation announced in the Federal budget on 3 May.

One particular area of interest has been how the changes will affect Transition to Retirement (TTR) superannuation pensions. Continue reading Transition to Retirement Pension – will they remain relevant? →

Uncertain times for super

Financial Planning, Retirement, Super Contributions, Transition to Retirement, , ,

Glynn 3 - cropped2

Australia has just been through one of its longest-ever Federal elections. The Coalition government has been returned, but with the slimmest of majorities. Meanwhile, the makeup of the Senate is still to be decided, although it appears the government may face an Upper House more fragmented (and hostile?) than before the election. If this proves to be the case, then we are all in for what may be an extended period of uncertain times.

At times of such potential political, social, economic and financial uncertainty it is highly advisable to maintain good lines of communication with your financial advisers. Things can move quickly. There can be unexpected changes to the law which have the potential to negatively – or positively – impact on your plans for your financial future. Continue reading Uncertain times for super →

Negative Gearing and Equities

Financial Planning, Gearing, Investment, Property, Retirement, , ,

Widespread changes to superannuation for high income earners announced in the Federal Budget on 3 May have compelled many investors to review their investment strategies as they seek to ensure they are tax effective and will deliver them the necessary lump sum to fund their retirement goals.

With this in mind, a key capital growth and income investment strategy worthy of consideration in the current climate is negatively gearing into equities. Continue reading Negative Gearing and Equities →

The Chase for Yield

Bonds, Interest Rates, Property, Sharemarket, Term Deposits, , , ,

Front of mind for many investors at the moment is “the chase for yield” (with “yield” being the “income return on an investment”).

Current low interest rates mean investments that previously offered higher rates of financial return no longer do so. There is strong consensus that low interest rates are likely to be a feature of the global investment landscape or some time to come. Glynn 3 - cropped2

Arguably those who will be experiencing this chase for yield the most are retirees and particularly those baby boomers closing in on retirement. And with barely a day going by without government or other bodies talking about the need to make further cuts or add new restrictions to the Aged Pension and other social security benefits, the pressure to be financially self-sufficient in retirement is only going to increase. Continue reading The Chase for Yield →

Investing in property

A-REIT, G-REIT, Managed Funds, Property, , , , ,

There is an increasing range of options available when it comes to investing in property.

For many people, the first property they may own is the family home. This may be Robert_portrait110218_loresfollowed by the purchase of a second residential property or a commercial property such as an office, a shop or a warehouse, bringing with it the potential for a rental income stream and capital growth. Many business owners find it attractive to purchase the building in which they conduct or intend to conduct their business.

Continue reading Investing in property →

Time to review your super contribution caps and transition to retirement pension

Financial Planning, Retirement, Reviews, Salary Sacrifice, Transition to Retirement, , , , , , , ,

Pick up a newspaper, turn on the radio, watch TV, go online – wherever you look or listen, superannuation has been constantly in the spotlight lately.

While there has been much discussion of possible changes to superannuation in the future, one thing remains certain – super is, and will remain, one of the key methods for Australians to save for retirement.Kristian Falconer

Because super is such a crucial part of most people’s plans for retirement it is important to ensure that you are doing all you can to maximise the benefits superannuation offers. An excellent place to start is by conducting an annual review of how much is going into your super, and, most importantly, whether this amount best meets your saving and investing needs – without incurring unexpected and unnecessary taxes. Continue reading Time to review your super contribution caps and transition to retirement pension →

Is the Aussie stock market over-stretched to a point ?

ASX, Investment, Sharemarket

The ASX200 Index is down 559 points, or 10.28% in two years.

The following is nothing new but impressively points out the obvious, especially for the many who believe hugging an index gives them exposure to a broader range of share investments.Scott Fleming

Of the downside losses in the last two years BHP accounts for a whopping 276 points; ANZ 78 pts; Woolworths 66, National Australia Bank 57; Rio Tinto 47; Fortescue 46; Woodside 33; Origin 32; Westpac 31 and Santos 28.

Those 10 stocks alone equate to 616 Index points lost.

Continue reading Is the Aussie stock market over-stretched to a point ? →

Sometimes defence is the best form of offense

ASX, Bonds, Diversified Fixed Income, Exchange Traded Bonds, Financial Planning, Hybrids, Wealth Protection, , , ,

While it is crucial to maintain a diversified investment portfolio at all times, it is understandable that in the current market there has been a renewed interest in defensive assets.

Defensive assets generally act as a counter to market volatility by offering greater certainty compared to other investment options, although the trade-off may be lower returns and reduced flexibility.Glynn 3 - cropped2

The main type of defensive asset classes are cash (savings accounts and term deposits) and fixed interest investments such as bonds, and it is the latter category which is the focus of this blog. Continue reading Sometimes defence is the best form of offense →

2016 – What we’re watching

Banks, Commodity Prices, Consumer Purchasing Power, Credit Quality, Dividend Payout Ratios, Economy, Financial Planning, Global Growth, Global News, Interest Rates, Sharemarket, Wage Growth, , , , , , , ,

It will not come as a surprise to most of you considering the trouncing stock markets have already experienced this year, but we think 2016 will be a roller coaster year for investment.Scott Fleming

The relatively high prices still being paid globally for yield, or in other words income, and the flow through of the second half of 2015’s heightened volatility in most global assets all lead us to expect it to be a more difficult trading year to navigate. Continue reading 2016 – What we’re watching →