After a five-year freeze, deeming rates are set to increase on 20 September 2025. For some older Australians, this may not be a welcome change. An increase in deeming rates increases assessable income for Centrelink and Veterans’ Affairs, which may reduce entitlements and/or increase aged care fees. But for many people, the impact may not...

The bad news for savers relying on income returns is set to continue Australia’s underlying level of inflation is continuing to fall, and which paved the way for another official interest rate cut when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board met earlier in the month. It was welcome news for borrowers, but not for...

As the chill of winter begins to lift and the warmer months approach, there’s a natural sense of renewal in the air. Just as we might open the windows and shake off the winter dust, it’s also a good time to check in on your mental and physical well-being, especially as we get older, approach...

Take a sec to check Scammers aim to take advantage of weak security and plan on you being distracted with everyday life. To keep yourself safe: Always be aware of what information you share. If a scammer gets your personal information they can use it to access your bank account, sign in to your myGov...

For clients holding older, asset test-exempt superannuation pensions, known as legacy pensions, there are significant changes ahead. These pensions, once popular for their generous Centrelink treatment, have long been difficult to alter without risking unintended financial consequences. But recent government updates have created a window of opportunity, along with a clear warning: don’t move too...

Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) have long been associated with older Australians and small business owners looking for greater control over their retirement savings. But recent data suggests the sector is undergoing a quiet transformation. Alongside tax reforms and persistent compliance challenges, younger people are slowly moving into the SMSF space. While 85 per cent of...

Investing isn’t just a numbers game. It’s an activity that stirs various emotions from hope and optimism to fear and anxiety. Whether the ASX is surging or stumbling, emotional responses to market movements can shape outcomes just as much as economic fundamentals. Understanding those responses is crucial to building resilience, especially in unpredictable times. These...

What happens when the life you knew changes—suddenly and deeply—and you’re left wondering what comes next? For many women over 55, this question becomes real after a major life transition. The death of a parent. The end of a long marriage. A late-career redundancy. An unexpected inheritance. These moments often arrive quietly but leave a...

When and how you can access your super to start an account-based pension.  If our working years can be regarded as the time when we aim to build up our superannuation savings, our retirement years can equally be regarded as the time when we aim to spend them.  At least that’s the objective for most...