About 14% of Australians experienced personal fraud last year. Of these, 2.1 million experienced credit card fraud, 675,300 were caught in a scam, 255,000 had their identities stolen and 433,000 were impersonated online. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics latest Personal Fraud Survey, between July 2023 and June 2024, Australians lost A$2.1 billion through … Read more
The number of Australians aged over 65 is expected to more than double in the next 40 years while the number of people aged over 85 is predicted to triple in that time.i Aged care funding and services have seen major changes in the years since the 2021 report of the Royal Commission into Aged … Read more
More than half of us set a new financial goal at the beginning of 2025, according to ASIC’s Moneysmart website. While most financial goals include saving money and paying down debts, the months leading up to 30 June provide an opportunity to review your super balance to look at ways to boost your retirement savings. … Read more
Key points – Helped by President Trump’s backdown on tariffs, shares have rebounded to within 3-4% of their record highs. – The good news is that the last month highlights that Trump is still sensitive to share market falls and worries of recession. The bad news is that the tariff mayhem could still flare up … Read more
Work out how long your super or account-based pension will last There are many variables that come into play when calculating how long your super or account-based pension will last in retirement, and it can be challenging to figure it out alone. If you’ve transferred your super to a pension account already, then you can … Read more
A good estate plan will help make sure your wishes are carried out when you die. It can also help if you become unable to make your own decisions. Estate plans An estate plan records what you want done with your assets after your death. It can include documents such as: your will a testamentary … Read more
Review your investments regularly to make sure you’re on track to reach your financial goals and you’re comfortable with the investment risks. Find out how to review your investments’ performance and what to do if you’re not getting the returns you expect. Monitor your investments regularly How often you review your investments will depend on: … Read more
Key points – The return of Labor with an increased majority basically means more of the same in terms of key economic policies. – The key challenges for the Government are to boost productivity and hence living standards, improve housing supply and affordability, get the budget under better control and strengthen the economy in the … Read more
Hospital admissions can be distressing for individuals and costly for healthcare systems. Many of these admissions, particularly for older adults and those with chronic conditions, can be prevented through adequate support at home. Home Care Packages (HCPs) play a vital role in reducing hospital entries by providing tailored care that promotes health, safety and independence. … Read more
Overview You can access your super early in very limited circumstances, including to pay certain expenses on compassionate grounds, as well as terminal illness, incapacity and severe financial hardship. For information on how to save money for your first home inside your super fund, see First home super saver scheme. Access on compassionate grounds You … Read more
Periods of high volatility have forever been part of investing. But even seasoned investors might feel tempted to retreat to “safe” assets like cash during these times. While this approach may help you sleep better at night, it’s unlikely to be good for your financial well-being. Here’s why focusing on the long-term is crucial during … Read more
