The transfer balance cap – how does it work again?
In the 2016 Federal Budget, the Government introduced the transfer balance cap as part of a broader superannuation reform package. …
Term deposit vs savings account: what’s the difference?
Term deposits offer certainty and savings accounts offer flexibility. Here are some other common features and benefits of each. Putting …
Your guide to gearing
There are a number of considerations when it comes to gearing, the investment assets you may choose to gear and …
Understanding your investment options
Investing is full of jargon and technical terms that can make getting started or managing your investments seem intimidating. Here …
Some recent questions on Australian inflation Key points The Australian inflation rate peaked in the December quarter but has been …
How to monitor carried forward concessional contributions
You may be eligible to make concessional contributions that are greater than the annual cap if you haven’t fully used …
How to help grow your money through compound interest
Earning interest on interest: learn how the power of compounding can send your savings rocketing. Key takeaways Compound interest enables …
Granny flat arrangements within the context of the gifting rules
There are special rules for granny flat arrangements that may prevent the deprivation rules from applying. However they must satisfy …
Economic update
July was a relatively uneventful month in financial markets and volatility remained low. Generally speaking, risk assets continued to perform …
Are you getting the Age Pension you’re entitled to?
If you receive the Age Pension, recent changes to means testing for retirees could put more money in your pocket. …
2022-23 saw investment returns rebound – but is it sustainable?
Key points – After the rough ride of 2021-22, 2022-23 turned out to be a good one for investors as …
Where is the recession
Key points A progress report on inflation: Inflation appears to have peaked, led by improvements in core goods prices and …
Economic update May 2023 Investment markets were relatively calm in April, following a period of heightened volatility in March when …
What to do when your fixed rate home loan term is ending
Many Australians were fortunate to lock in record low interest rates but this may be drawing to an end. A …
Credit risk in focus amid bank tumult
Key views Tightening financial conditions and a return of credit risk have reinforced our risk-off stance. The Credit Suisse deal …
The opportunities in energy transition
After the wild ride experienced by investors in 2022, Perpetual’s Deputy Head of Equities, Anthony Aboud is seeing opportunities in …
Five charts on investing to keep in mind in rough times
Key points Successful investing can be really difficult in times like now with immense uncertainty around inflation, interest rates, issues …
Expanding SMSFs for the expanding family?
It has finally happened. Recommended by the Cooper Super System review in 2010, put forward in the Federal Budget four …
What causes market movements?
When the news is filled with headlines about market movements, it’s normal to feel a bit anxious. Here are three …
The 2023-24 Budget
Return to surplus with fastest improvement since end of WW2, cost of living help but structural deficits remain (albeit smaller). …
US banks, inflation, interest rates and recession risk – what it means for investors
Key points US regional bank failures have added to uncertainty about the investment outlook flowing from inflation and rate hikes. …
What are asset portfolios?
Building your wealth for the long term starts with a sound investment strategy; but with so many options outside your …
Buying an investment property
Is an investment property the right choice for you in retirement? What you need to know about buying an investment …
Why investing for retirement is different
When you’re still employed and earning a salary, there’s money coming in you can rely on. In retirement, in the …
Ways to expand SMSF investment horizons
The mix of investments that is right for an SMSF will depend on very personal factors, including SMSF members’ age, …
Investing in investment bonds
Investment bonds are long term investments that may offer tax efficiency to investors on a high marginal tax rate and …
Five long term global trends and implications for markets
This article looks at some longer term structural trends in the economy and their impact on economic growth and investments. …
Economic update February 2023
Risk assets performed strongly in January, following further indications that inflation may have peaked in key regions. Global economic growth …
Review of 2022, outlook for 2023
Key points 2022 was dominated by high inflation, rising interest rates, war in Ukraine and recession fears. This hit bonds …
How do hedge funds work in a volatile market?
While an exposure to hedge funds can provide a lift to a portfolio’s performance, they also offer the potential to …
How old is too old for insurance?
As you age and your health starts to deteriorate, having a financial safety net and protecting your nearest and dearest …
Impacts from Falling Home Prices: The Wealth Effect
The impacts of interest rate hikes on consumers are well known; higher interest means that mortgage debt servicing costs will …
Alternative Thinking: Diversifying Beyond Traditional Asset Classes
Once a staple investment allocation, the traditional balanced portfolio of shares and bonds has had some challenges in delivering positive …
Why staying invested matters when markets fall
It’s natural to feel nervous when markets fall. News about inflation and rising interest rates may prompt you to make …
Booms, busts and investor psychology: Why investors need to be aware of the psychology of investing
Up until the 1980s the dominant theory was that financial markets were efficient. In other words, all relevant information was …
Economic and market overview
Pleasingly, global share markets fared well in October and recovered most of their lost ground from September. Locally, the S&P/ASX …
3 things to consider if your Super balance falls
From time to time, market movements may cause your super balance to fall. While this can be alarming, you’ll find …
Your biggest investing problem may be you
The human brain is an incredibly powerful processing unit. Every day we make numerous judgements and decisions – hundreds if …
Tips for Managing Money in Retirement
Aussies are living longer than ever before, with men expected to live until age 80 and women until age 85. …
Investment fundamentals to consider in volatile times
Sharp share market falls are stressful for investors as no one likes to see their investments fall in value. But …
Five Questions to ask before Plunging into an ETF
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have been available on the ASX for over 2 decades, but in recent years, this category’s …
Economic and market overview
Equity and bond markets bounced back hard from disappointing returns in June, amid suggestions that rising interest rates in key …
Did you know gifting can impact your Age Pension?
Gifting, or financially assisting family or friends by giving away some of your assets or accumulated retirement savings, can be …
Australians are losing more money to investment scams
Australians are being urged to be extra diligent when it comes to investment opportunities that look too good to be …
Active versus Passive Investing – What’s the difference and what’s the best?
Investing in shares is a popular way of helping people to achieve their long-term financial goals. These investments can generate …
Key things for investors to keep in mind during times of market turmoil
Key points Share markets have fallen sharply in recent weeks continuing the plunge that started early this year due to …
Can infrastructure protect from inflation?
It’s an important question as prices rise around the world fuelled by soaring energy and commodity costs, supply chain constraints …
All about Wills and Probate
Probate is the legal process that occurs when dealing with a loved one’s will after their death. It can be …
Volatility Bites: How Retirees can manage Jumpy Markets
The big issue for investors in or close to retirement, is risk. The 2020 COVID-19 share sell off and recent …
New opportunities to grow your Super from 1 July 2022
Both older and younger Australians, as well as low-income earners, are set to benefit from some upcoming super opportunities. From …