In the right hands, a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) can be a beneficial way to build wealth for retirement. Whilst they are not for everyone, it is important that when thinking of starting an SMSF, individuals need to understand the benefits and responsibilities they take on by having an SMSF. What is an SMSF? An […]
Here, our head of retirement investments and senior portfolio manager, Darren Beesley, shares an overview of how retirement investments were impacted during 2020. What effects has the pandemic had on dividends from Australian equities, and what does this mean for portfolios which rely on these income streams? The effect on dividend yields has come about […]
Many of us spend a great deal of time planning for our retirement but understandably, often do not put the same degree of effort into planning for our deaths. It is not always a pleasant topic to think about, nor is it a commonly understood process. It is however a way of caring for your […]
A 'transition to retirement' (TTR) strategy lets you access some of your super and keep working. Setting this up can be complicated, so contact your super fund or financial adviser for advice. How transition to retirement works If you're aged 55 to 60 and still working, you can use a TTR strategy to: supplement your […]
You can get your super when you retire and reach your 'preservation age' — between 55 and 60, depending on when you were born. There are special circumstances where you can access your super early. Scam alert! Watch out for cold-call offers to help you get early access to your super The only way to apply to withdraw […]
Contents insurance covers your household items and personal belongings if they're damaged, lost or stolen. This can include your furniture, clothes, computer, fridge, television, tools and jewellery. If you own your home, you can bundle your contents insurance with your home insurance. This is usually cheaper than having separate policies. Getting the right contents insurance When […]
Here’s a list of things you could stop doing if you no longer want to rely on the bank of mum and dad, or that credit card. In your 20s and 30s, you might be saving for a car, your own pad, or an overseas trip (COVID-19 can’t last forever, right?). On the other hand, […]
Aussie parents have coughed up more than $26 million to help their adult kids since COVID-19 hit our shores – and one in five is at financial risk from doing so. Parents helping their adult kids financially isn’t an unfamiliar concept in this country, but figures reveal mums and dads have forked out approximately $26.8 […]
2020 has reminded us that one of the few ways to prepare a portfolio for the unexpected is to seek exposure to industries that our societies rely on for their functioning and are also less exposed to the economic cycle. In that sense, there are some key considerations to why we will continue to back […]
There are a lot of rules and regulations when it comes to superannuation and running an SMSF. Here are some commonly made mistakes and how they can be avoided. 1. Don’t use your SMSF money for personal reasons A major mistake often made with SMSFs is for members to use their retirement savings for personal […]