Making sense of age pension rules
We’d all love to be self-funded in retirement, but for many of us it’s simply not possible. Sometimes we can partially self-fund, sometimes not at all and this is where
December 8, 2025
Centrelink
Help Your Kids Buy a Home Without Risking Retirement
It’s understandable, in today’s tough housing market, that you want to give your children a leg up onto the first rung of the homeowning ladder. But before you do, stop
November 12, 2025
Deeming increase announced: Implications
From 20 September, deeming rates have increased for the first time since the Covid-era freeze. This change may affect those whose payments and benefits are determined by the income test.
October 9, 2025
Priority1 Federal Budget Report 2025-26
At 7:30pm on Tuesday 25 March 2025, the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, released the Government’s 2025-26 Budget. The Treasurer identified five main Budget priorities: • Helping with the cost of living;
March 26, 2025
Unlocking the Potential of Aged Pension and Superannuation Benefits
The Australian Aged Pension scheme provides a wonderful safety net for those with limited assets in retirement, although many remain confused by how their age pension entitlements differ from so
August 9, 2023
Are you sacrificing your retirement for your adult children?
According to Finder.com, 44% of Australian parents feel the urge to subsidise their adult children’s lifestyles. Besides helping with expenses such as university fees, utilities bills, etc., as home ownership
March 16, 2022
Understanding home downsizing and super contributions
The Federal Government announced in the May Budget that it is widening the scope of the scheme allowing eligible Australians to sell their home and put extra money into their
June 24, 2021
Could you now be entitled to a LOW-INCOME HEALTH CARE CARD?
With recent changes to deeming rates and for some, a reduction in asset values or income levels, many people may now be eligible for the Low-Income Health Care Card. The
August 28, 2020
5 tips to survive a decline in income
Since precautionary measures were heightened to slow the spread of COVID-19, almost 1 million Australians have lost their jobs. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia lost 7.5 per
June 4, 2020
Are you eligible for a Centrelink concession card?
Retirees have access to a range of concession cards, and some can access more than one card at the same time. These cards offer a variety of concessions to
April 16, 2020
To gift or not to gift? What about your pension?
With Australia’s age pension being subject to an assets and income test, a simple way for part-pensioners to increase their pension payments is to give away some assets. Not surprisingly
October 7, 2018
A different way to help the grandkids
Many grandparents want to give their grandchildren a head start in life, and a common way to do so is to help by paying some (or all) of their school
August 2, 2018