Estate planning gives you a final say

Planning for what happens when you pass away or become incapacitated is an important way of protecting those you care about, saving them from dealing with a financial and administrative mess when they’re grieving. Your Will gives you a say in how you want your possessions and investments to be distributed. But, importantly, it should … Read more

Super contributions

If you’re employed, your employer should be paying a percentage of your earnings into your super account. It’s worth checking to make sure you’re being paid the right amount. If you can afford it, making extra contributions is a great way to boost your retirement savings. And it can reduce your tax. If you’re on … Read more

Weighing up the Age Pension and the assets test

Why having less super isn’t necessarily a financial sweet spot for retirees. Millions of Australians aged 67 and over have just received an Age Pension boost as a result of the Department of Social Services lifting its fortnightly payment rates. The full Age Pension rate for singles has increased by $28.10 per fortnight to $1,144.40 … Read more

The lost super pile keeps growing

There’s almost $18 billion of unclaimed superannuation. Here’s how to find it. When it comes to accumulated retirement savings, many Australians have a strong fear of running out of money before they die. Vanguard’s 2024 How Australia Retires research released in June found that almost one in two Australians do not know whether their money will last … Read more

Save for an emergency fund

An emergency fund is money you save to cover urgent or unexpected costs. This could be car repairs, unexpected travel or an urgent medical bill. It provides a financial safety net so you don’t have to borrow money if something happens to you or your family. How much you need in an emergency fund Even … Read more

Keeping records of shares and units

Records you need to keep When you sell your shares in companies or units in managed funds, most of the records you need will be given to you by the company, the fund manager or your stockbroker. These records generally include: the date of purchase the purchase amount details of any non-assessable payments made to … Read more