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You may be interested in some of the following topical articles:

Sound investment framework

Abacus

To invest successfully over a lifetime does not require a stratospheric IQ, unusual business insight, or inside information.

"What’s needed is a sound intellectual framework for making decisions and the ability to keep emotions from corroding that framework.” (Warren Buffett).

Click here to learn more about investing within a sound framework.

Self managed superannuation funds

One of the reasons people start SMSFs is that they want control over their superannuation. An important part of the wealth management process is to find the best way to access investment markets, within a sound investment framework, then exercise your control to invest that way.

Click here to learn more about the benefits and disadvantages of Self Managed Super Funds.

Changes to retirement income streams

50% of the commencement balance of a Term Allocated Pension (TAP) is exempt from the Centrelink assets test. For clients who are close to the maximum assets test threshold, TAPs may be worth including as part of your overall structure, to gain some Centrelink pension and the associated benefits.

TAPs can also help people who would otherwise exceed their lump sum RBL.

Click here to learn more about Term Allocated Pensions (TAPs)

Transition to retirement pensions

Superannuation members who have reached preservation age (currently 55) may now commence a pension income using their accumulated superannuation benefits, even if they are still working. The benefits of this may be:

You may choose to remain in the workforce longer, rather than retire in order to access your superannuation
Once in pension phase, fund earnings become tax free, reducing from 15% (10% for capital gains). This leads to a greater net investment return each year.

Click here to learn more about transition to retirement pensions.

Superannuation splitting

For those who have a spouse, the ability to split contributions provides some attractive planning opportunities.

This allows couples to share their superannuation benefits. In particular, it allows single income families access to two tax-free thresholds and two Reasonable Benefit Limits.

Click here to learn more about superannuation splitting.

Personal risk insurance

The old adage “You get what you pay for” is certainly true with insurance policies. There are some cheap and nasty policies available, where the insurance company never expects to have to pay a benefit.

Thank goodness, there are also quality products in the market which give people real benefits – for a higher premium.

Our role as an insurance broker is to sort the good policies from the poor. Once we have 5-6 which rate highly in terms of quality of policy wording, we can compare premiums on these products.

Click here to learn more about personal risk insurance.

Budgeting

A budget is a useful tool no matter how much, or how little you earn. Once you understand how you are currently choosing to allocate your income and can compare it to your net income, you have a choice.

Click here to learn more about budgeting.