It’s worth planning ahead You’ve worked hard, carefully growing your super, and you’re proud of what you’ve built. Your plan is simple: whatever is left will one day go to your adult children. Unfortunately, it might not reach them quite the way you imagine. It’s one of the least understood parts of retirement planning, and…
Many people are surprised to learn that some of their largest assets may not be covered by their will. With recent changes affecting testamentary trusts and ongoing complexity around superannuation death benefits, now is a good time to review your arrangements. New rules announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget, combined with the growing complexity of…
Receiving an inheritance can bring mixed emotions. It may improve your financial position, but it usually means you are grieving the loss of someone close to you. If you receive a Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) payment, an inheritance can also affect your entitlements. Understanding the rules can help you avoid surprises and…
If you’re starting to explore residential aged care for yourself or someone you love, you’ve probably noticed that accommodation costs can seem quite daunting. In fact, the average room price in Australia is now around $570,000, with significant increases over the past 18 months. The good news is that you may not need to find…
For many, the goal of investing is about creating wealth for a comfortable financial future, as well as a legacy that supports your children and grandchildren for decades to come. But one of the greatest risks to that legacy can be the challenge of dealing with sudden wealth. When adult children inherit large sums or…
Life is a series of chapters, each with its own hopes, challenges, and priorities. From starting your first job, welcoming a family, navigating separation, caring for ageing parents, transitioning into retirement, or embracing life on your own terms each stage brings new decisions that impact your long-term financial wellbeing. That’s why your financial strategy shouldn’t…
As the festive season approaches, there is a noticeable shift in the air. The days grow longer, school terms wrap up, and communities across the country begin to prepare for end-of-year celebrations in all kinds of ways. For some, it is about unpacking boxes of decorations, preparing familiar family recipes and racing around the shops….
Ways of contributing to your spouse’s super There are 2 ways of contributing to your spouse’s super: Splitting your contributions with your spouse Some super funds allow you to split your contributions with your spouse. When and how to apply You can generally apply to split your contributions with your spouse after the end of the…
How to develop an estate planning strategy to deal with your assets in the event of your death. Estate planning involves developing a strategy to deal with your assets after you die – the legal instruments and structures, such as a will, you put in place to transfer your assets in the event of death….
Sweeping reforms to aged care are set to begin on 1 November to help improve the quality, transparency and flexibility of care. With more care levels, clearer pricing, and greater control over how your funding is used, the new system aims to better match services to individual needs. Providers will be required to offer detailed cost…