Latest News, Blog Posts & Information
The global economic landscape continues to evolve, shaped by shifting interest rates, market fluctuations, and geopolitical events. The Mercer Chart Pack for February 2025 provides a comprehensive analysis of key market trends, economic indicators, and investment opportunities.
In this post, we break down the most important takeaways from the latest data to help investors make informed decisions.
Read MoreAn investment property tax expert runs through what every investment property owner should know. One in five of us own an investment property, with 56.7% of Aussie wealth held in housing (at June 2023). It is an incredibly attractive investment option for many investors due to the capital growth that investors have historically seen in property. This is boosted by favourable tax treatment through policies such as negative gearing and the capital gains discount.
Read MoreThe global financial landscape in February 2025 was marked by shifting monetary policies, trade tensions, and mixed market performances. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut interest rates, the U.S. imposed new trade tariffs, and the equity and bond markets experienced fluctuations. Here’s a breakdown of the key developments and their implications for investors
Read MoreDoes the sales pitch for private assets hold up to scrutiny?
Conventional wisdom is a byproduct of groupthink that presents solutions good enough
for the average person while simultaneously not being right for any individual. You
follow it at your peril. The more different you are from the person that defined a rule the
less you should follow the rule. Each Monday I will challenge the investing norms that
just may be holding you back from living the life you want.
Read MoreSuper funds and private assets in the spotlight after ASIC release. On Feb. 26, 2025, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC, released a paper titled “Australia’s evolving capital markets: A discussion paper on the dynamics between public and private markets.” The paper discusses the changing Australian capital markets landscape, focusing on both the rapid growth in the capital allocated to private assets and the influence of Australian superannuation funds on private markets.
Read MoreThe rules to age successfully include, 'the unexamined life lasts longer', 'change no more than one-eighth of your life at a time', 'nobody is thinking about you', and 'pursue virtue but don’t sweat it'. I recently happened upon a practical and often humorous book about how to age successfully. It’s called Rules For Ageing by Roger Rosenblatt, a literary overachiever who’s had success as a Harvard lecturer, newspaper editor and columnist, and is the author of 21 books and six plays. I first came across Rosenblatt on the PBS Newshour show years ago, where he regularly presented essays on an array of topics.
Read MoreMorningstar's International Women's Day event brought together a property expert and a financial wellness expert to discuss the best ways to increase financial security. For International Women’s Day, Morningstar brought together leading experts Kitty Parker, an award-winning buyers' agent, and Betsy Westcott, a financial wellness coach. Kitty and Betsy shared their expertise on some of the main financial challenges facing Aussies. They covered homeownership, investing and financial security.
Read MoreThe proposal to add superannuation contributions to the Commonwealth-funded Paid Parental Leave Scheme (PPL Scheme) has now been enacted. Superannuation contributions (called PPL Superannuation Contributions) will be payable in respect of 2025/26 and subsequent financial years at the rate of 12% (which will be the SG rate for 2025/26 and following financial years) of the total amount of eligible Parental Leave Paid during the financial year. After the close of the financial year, the ATO will pay the PPL Superannuation Contribution to the individual’s nominated super fund.
Read MoreHow do you start accessing your super funds when you stop working, or maybe even before you stop working? This covers the basics, including how to switch your super accumulation account to an account-based pension.
Read MoreReviewing your super is a small investment of time that can result in a large return. Superannuation is one of the most effective vehicles for Australian investors saving for their retirement. It has favourable tax rates, compulsory contributions going in from employers, and difficult conditions of release meaning no temptation to access it prior to retirement. If you’ve never reviewed your super, here are a few steps to get you started. Small changes can have a meaningful impact to your retirement outcomes in the future.
Read MoreDespite recent sentiment about using super as a band aid for Australia’s housing crisis, the original intention of the scheme was to provide funds for those in retirement and reduce reliance on the age pension. Australians have accumulated a total of $3.9 trillion in superannuation assets (June 2024).
Read MoreThis week's Chart of the Week comes from the State of Retirement Income Report 2024. It looks at where asset allocation and retirement withdrawal rates meet. What's a safe amount to take out of your retirement pot each year to fund your life?
Read MoreThe surviving spouse has a lot to think about when a member of an SMSF dies. While it pays to understand the options quickly, often they’re best served by moving a little more slowly before making final decisions.
Read MoreThe intergenerational wealth transfer will see many assets bequeathed. Most of these assets won’t be cash. Share portfolios are a common way that beneficiaries will receive assets – especially when the owner is an income investor that is living off dividends without drawing down on the capital of the portfolio.
Read MoreMark, Director of Personal Finance Morningstar Australia, answers a reader question about investing outside of super. Mark answers a reader question about investing outside of super.
Read MoreThe regulations implementing the Legacy Pension Reforms have now been registered and are effective on and from 7 December 2024. This means that the five year commutation window has now commenced and will cease on 6 December 2029.
Read MoreEstate planning goes beyond just preparing a will – it's about wealth and assets being protected, preserved, and passed down to your loved ones the way you intended.
Read MoreThree things to consider when planning for an early retirement. Few of us go through our entire careers without at least thinking about the prospects of retiring early. Perhaps it is after a difficult period at work. Perhaps after a special vacation.
Read MoreAddressing retirees' fears of running out of money is essential for enhancing their quality of life. One of the biggest fears for retirees is running out of money during retirement and the impact this may have on their quality of life. With this in mind, many retirees only draw down the minimum of their account-based pension and lack the confidence to spend their retirement savings. They later regret being overly frugal in their early years of retirement. This is called ‘Regret Risk’.
Read MoreSuperannuation remains a highly tax-effective way for most Australians to save for retirement, offering concessional tax treatment of contributions and favourable tax rates on earnings within the structure. However, the proposed superannuation Division 296 tax on earnings of balances above $3 million1 requires careful consideration when developing financial planning strategies.
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