Many women will need to do more to build up their super balances by the time they retire. There’s a plethora of data showing women, on average, earn less than males and have lower superannuation balances. The federal government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) released its latest gender pay gap update on 27 February, revealing … Read more
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 … Read more
Understand the rules, costs and risks of setting up an self-managed super fund (SMSF) to invest in residential property. Self-managed super fund property rules You can only buy property through your SMSF if you comply with the rules. The property must: meet the ‘sole purpose test’ of solely providing retirement benefits to fund members not … Read more
– shares are vulnerable to a bout of volatility but here’s five reasons why the trend will likely remain up Introduction From their lows last October, it has been relatively smooth sailing for shares – with US shares up 28%, global shares up 25% & Australian shares up 17% to recent highs. But the last … Read more
Introduction The Australian housing market has started the year on a solid note with national home prices up 1.6% over the first three months according to CoreLogic. We had thought the drag of high mortgage rates would get the upper hand again but the supply shortfall is continuing to dominate. Average capital city home prices … Read more
Introduction It’s four years since the COVID lockdowns started. The pandemic ended when it morphed into the less deadly Omicron variant in late 2021, but just as a sound can reverberate around a room the effects of the pandemic continue to reverberate in economies. Putting aside the long-term health impacts this note looks at 7 … Read more
Introduction After another 80% or so plunge from its high in 2021 to its low in 2022, Bitcoin has rebounded again to a new record high. The next chart shows Bitcoin’s price relative to the $US since 2010, both on a regular scale and on a log scale to show perspective. From its 2022 low … Read more
Introduction Investing can be scary and confusing at times. But the basic principles of successful investing are timeless and quotes from experts help illuminate these. This note revisits a series on insightful quotes on investing I first started a decade ago. The aim of investing “How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy … Read more
Introduction Share markets have pushed up to record highs this year, but can it continue? For some time now we have been monitoring seven key charts that are critical for the investment outlook. This note provides an update. Chart 1 – global business conditions PMIs A big driver of how shares perform this year will … Read more
With ample time left before 30 June, now could be a good time to catch up on super. The early part of each year is often a good time to review your investing strategy for the calendar year ahead and beyond. And, with less than six months to go before 30 June, it’s also a … Read more
Key points: There are varying tenure types that can impact your rights over a property in a village Make sure to understand all the costs and fees that are associated with taking a placement in a retirement village Legislation and regulations differ depending on the State or Territory you live in Generally, the deciding factor … Read more
Here are some factors to consider before you join finances with a partner. While you’ve likely imagined what a future with your partner looks like, you may not have considered the financial implications of that future. Think: careers, kids, caring for aging parents, and even where you want to live and travel to. In reality, … Read more
