Property prices and home sales have gone through the roof on the Sunshine Coast and SE Queensland regions for months now. Some retirees may use their profits to downsize their living situation and boost their retirement income by utilising the Downsizer Contribution to their superannuation.
The COVID global crisis resulted in many changes in International and Australian markets. In our Market Update, you will hear from International and Australian Fund Managers. They share their front-line view of the markets over the past twelve months and their expectations going forward.
There are many benefits to Account Based Pensions for retirees, including tax and estate planning benefits. There are minimum annual income rules and these were reduced during COVID to alleviate impact on investors capital. From July 1st 2021 this is about to change, read on for retirement pension financial advice.....
A Reversionary Pension can make up part of the Estate Planning for your retirement investments. Read on for valuable Reversionary Pension financial advice...
When you are still working, but planning for your retirement, your risk profile will likely be different than when you actually retire. Get advice on the best retirement investment strategies for your situation...
Good financial advice in retirement must cover several areas of investment strategy to maximise the security of your retirement nest egg.
Have your retirement investment circumstances changed? Maher Digby Financial Planners Sunshine Coast explain the many investment strategy changes that retirees may need to deal with...
It’s comfortable and interesting to watch the US election from the more stable shores of Australia. After an extremely volatile campaign we see Biden most likely the incoming President elect. So what might that mean for financial planning strategies given his electoral campaign policies?
Financial Advice in 2020 has required a solid yet flexible long-term investment strategy. Responding effectively to a volatile and changing market landscape has been vital as we stepped through the unknown territory of the global pandemic and it’s ever unfolding impacts on business and consumer sentiment.
The majority of focus in the Federal Budget 2020 is on economic stimulus, business support, employment growth and long term recovery. Though by no means the priority, there are a few helpful changes for self-funded retirees.
For several years now the RBA have gradually been cutting Australian Interest rates to historical lows in an effort to stimulate growth and spending in the economy. While this may be strategically beneficial for Australia’s economy, from an investment viewpoint it is extremely unattractive for anyone looking toward retirement and their income future.
If you are approaching retirement, you are also approaching limits on how much you can contribute to your superannuation and thereby receive the inbuilt tax benefits, especially if you are approaching 65 years and will no longer be working. This can be helpful to keep in mind as part of your overall retirement investment strategy.
If you are a Government employee close to retirement, these uncertain times may be leading you to think about your retirement options. Sometimes the market gyrations can make people nervous and subsequently hold off their retirement, but these changes may not have affected your investments at all. In fact, there are some worthwhile considerations to keep in mind.
There are many important steps you can take to secure your investments for the future. A Will, Power of Attorney, Investment Strategies and Taxation considerations all position us for control over the future of our investments.
With the advent of COVID lockdowns this year, the financial markets went into the usual gyrations it goes through during uncertain times. Certainly, the global pandemic has been an unknown entity where there is little historical reference point for market response and recovery. This naturally resulted in concerns for many investors regarding their retirement investments, their income and future security.
The COVID global crisis has caused much volatility in International and Australian markets. In this Market Update, four top Fund Managers share their front-line view on how they see the markets currently, and their perspective on the most intelligent investment strategies going forward.
The Australian bush fires have been horrific and very widespread and likely will involve more than a short-term disruption to economic activity.
The RBA recently cut Australia’s overnight cash rate to a record low 0.75% with many predicting further interest rate cuts to come. Interest rates in places like Europe and Japan have been at ultra-low levels for many years and have not helped these economies alleviate their stagnant growth. This paper discusses why ultra-low rates are not necessarily working – in fact, how they may actually be counterproductive to the RBA’s objectives.
Few could have imagined, pre-GFC, that the crisis in the US sub-prime mortgage market would morph into global issue affecting entire markets. Liquidity ceased in some markets leaving investors unable to access their money.
In regard to the definition of “retirement” the Superannuation Industry Regulations define two different sets of conditions with regard to determining if ‘retirement has occurred’ and the retirement ‘condition of release have been met’.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced a cut to the official interest rate early in June by 0.25 basis points. Lower interest rates will help keep the Aussie dollar down and Australian companies probably need that to get a bit of a boost when it comes to competing internationally.The Australian dollar likely faces further downside. The main reason is that Australian growth is weaker than US growth, and also spare capacity is much higher in Australia.
But just because you have hit 65 it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider making super contributions. With Australians living longer than ever in retirement, many people are concerned they won’t have enough for a comfortable retirement.
In these volatile markets it’s worthwhile to remember the power of compound interest. Long term returns on investments are affected by compound interest. It may seem a bit like magic but it’s actually pure math.
You might have noticed a fall in your super balance in recent months and are wondering what the cause of this is.
2019 is likely to be an interesting year for the Australian economy. Some of the big drags of recent years are easing. At the same time, housing is turning down, uncertainty is high around the global outlook and it’s an election year in Australia which will add to uncertainty.
Many Australian retirees find they want a smaller home, or a home more suited to their empty-nest requirements. For some people selling the family home can be great way to release funds to pay for retirement living expenses or in-home support.
Planning your Estate is an important element of a long term financial plan. If you don’t legally specify your wishes, the decision for distribution of your superannuation investment falls to the Trustee of your Superannuation Fund.
There is no sign of respite from Australia’s high petrol prices. Prices hit a four-year high recently on the back of surging international crude oil prices. And with the price of oil breaking through the $US80-a-barrel mark for the first time since November 2014, worldwide petrol prices are predicted to rise further.
In the Australian share market there is the option of investing in ‘imputation funds’ that provide 'franked dividends'. This means the investor, who owns shares in the company, not only receives the dividend, but also receives the added benefit of claiming what are known as franking credits when completing their tax return.
The Australian economy grew 2.4% through 2017, good but well below potential given high population growth. There is good reason to expect growth to continue and pick up a bit: the drag from falling mining investment is nearly over, non-mining investment is turning up, public investment is strong, trade should add to growth and profits are rising. But growth is likely to be constrained to just below 3% this year and underlying inflation is likely to remain low. We don't expect the RBA to start raising rates until 2019 (we were looking for a hike late this year). Australian shares are likely to move higher by year end, but to continue underperforming global shares.
Last week Wall Street fell over 1,000 points, reversing the sharp rises of earlier in the month. Many are now asking if this is the start of a new trend on markets and what it all means for the Australian sharemarket.
Key points: Worries about an imminent financial crisis remain high. Australians seem particularly negative about the year ahead. However, the global economy is the strongest it’s been in years. More fundamentally, cautious optimism is essential if you wish to succeed as an investor.
It has been thought for quite some time that interest rates in Australia will remain low and this is still the school of thought. There are many reasons why we need low rates and many benefits in them staying there. Policymakers don't seem to want to even entertain the idea of significant rises because of the potential damage that would do to the economy.nificant rises because of the potential damage that would do to the economy.
Infrastructure as an asset class is a relative newcomer to the investment world and was greeted some years ago with scepticism. Infrastructure assets are roads, railways, ports, airports, telecommunications facilities, electricity generation, gas or electricity transmission or distribution, water supply or sewerage, and hospitals.
How much you can afford to spend in retirement is determined by a number of different factors including investment markets, your super balance and lifestyle. But is there more you can do to help yourself have a better retirement? Understanding your expected spending patterns and ensuring you have an appropriate investment and drawdown strategy can help you determine whether you can support your desired retirement lifestyle.
These five great charts help illuminate key aspects of investing: the power of compound interest; the investment cycle; the roller coaster of investor emotion; the wall of worry; and time is on your side when investing.
A rebound in the economy in the December quarter confirms that Australia is continuing to grow and avoid recession. There are seven reasons to be upbeat about the Australian outlook: thanks to a more flexible economy Australia is on track to take out the Netherlands for the longest period without a recession; south east Australia is continuing to perform well; the great mining investment unwind is near the bottom; the surge in resource export volumes has more to go; national income is rising again; public investment is strong; and there are signs of life in non-mining investment. Economic growth is on track to return to near 3% this year and profit growth has returned to positive after two financial years of declines.
Key points: 2016 started badly for investors with worries about global growth and deflation. But global growth turned out okay &, despite political events, rising bond yields & disappointing Australian growth, the end result has been a constrained but okay year for diversified investors. 2017 is likely to see another year of okay & maybe even slightly higher global growth, higher inflation, higher bond yields after a pause and divergent monetary conditions as the Fed tightens but other countries stay easy. The RBA is likely to cut rates to 1.25%. Most growth assets, including shares are likely to trend higher, resulting in reasonable returns in 2017. The main things to keep an eye on are US policy under Trump (stimulus v trade wars), the Fed and the $US, bond yields, various European elections, China and the impact of the rising supply of apartments in Australia.
Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States risks ushering in a period of policy uncertainty which could cause further share market weakness in the short term. Australia and Asia generally are particularly exposed to this given the high trade exposure regionally. Trump’s victory is a negative for “risk assets” like shares and the $A in the short term – but if he becomes more pragmatic as President, any short term weakness will provide a buying opportunity.
A one off opportunity now exists for many investors looking to place money into superannuation. The Federal Government has recently announced a number of changes to superannuation, particularly in relation to contribution eligibility and the amount of after-tax contributions that can made each year.
Hamish Douglass, CEO, CIO and Lead Portfolio Manager of Magellan Asset Management gives his views and insights into the potential outcomes of the Brexit - Britain Exit of the EU.
In a surprise outcome, Britain has decided to LEAVE the European Union. While the reaction and full implications of the referendum will continue to evolve in time, Bob Cunneen, Senior Economist with NAB, answers some of the initial questions investors are asking right now.
Doug Isles from Platinum Asset Management, one of Maher Digby's speakers at our Client Information Sessions, gives his view on Global Markets and Investment Opportunities.
The 2016 Federal Budget contained a range of measures that, if legislated, will impact retirement savings plans.
We have a steady flow of inquiry at our office regarding aged care – it’s technically part of good Estate Planning and is commonly a daunting task for people.
At IML we have been cautious about economic growth for many years for a variety of reasons, and in general terms nothing has happened to make us more optimistic.
Chief Investment Office of Hunter Hall has positive view on Australia over next 3 years. Here is a link to a recent interview.
Financial markets have started the year on a rough note as last year’s worries about China and global growth in the face of US monetary tightening continue. This could drive more short term weakness. However, in the absence of US/global recession, which still seems unlikely, it’s hard to see a GFC style bear market. The key for investors is to recognise that shares offer a higher return potential after sharp falls, selling after big declines just locks in a loss and that dividend income from a well-diversified portfolio is little affected by share market volatility.
2015 has been a messy year for investors as worries about China, emerging countries and the Fed caused volatility and uneven returns across asset classes. Australian shares continued to underperform. 2016 is likely to see continued okay but uneven global growth, low inflation & easy monetary conditions. While the US is likely to raise rates gradually, other countries including Australia remain biased to further easing. Most growth assets, including shares are likely to trend higher, resulting in reasonable returns. But volatility is likely to remain high as the easy gains are well and truly behind us. The main things to keep an eye on are the Fed, China and the ongoing rebalancing of the Australian economy.
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