COVID relief continues for retirees

  COVID relief continues for retirees The Australian Government has extended measures brought in to help retirees through the COVID-19 crisis. Lower minimum income rate… If you hold an account-based pension or similar product, you need to withdraw a certain amount each financial year – this is called your minimum income amount. The Government reduced this amount by 50% during the last year. The lower rate has now been extended until 30 June 2022 so Australian …

2020-21 saw investment returns rebound – expect more modest but still good returns this financial year | AMP Capital

2020-21 saw investment returns rebound – expect more modest but still good returns this financial year   Key points 2020-21 saw investment returns rebound after the coronavirus hit depressed 2019-20 returns. Key lessons for investors from 2020-21 were to: allow that share markets look ahead; timing markets is hard; don’t fight central banks; and turn down the noise. Over the next 12 months returns from a well-diversified portfolio are likely to be slower but still …

Planning for the financial care of a special needs child | Money & Life

Planning for the financial care of a special needs child Caring for a child with special needs can place an extra financial burden on families. We speak to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Jane Campbell about some of the challenges and solutions families might consider. As any parent will tell you, raising a child is an incredibly rewarding experience. But for parents of children with special needs, there is often the added challenge of extra expenses and reduced …

Tax deductible donations: Get the most out of giving back | Money & Life

Tax deductible donations: Get the most out of giving back Giving to charity can be a great way to help others and give your tax return a boost, but not all donations are tax deductible. Here’s what you need to know about making a tax deductible donation. Donating to a charity or cause you care about is a win-win for both you and the charity. Charities rely on the generosity of donors to help them …

Supporting your kids, without sacrificing your own retirement | Money & Life

Supporting your kids, without sacrificing your own retirement With careful planning, you can give a helping hand to your adult children financially, while still enjoying a comfortable retirement. In the past, wealth was often passed on through an inheritance. But with our longer lifespans, and the higher cost of living (especially housing), the desire to help our kids while we’re alive and well is increasing. If your children are young, you may have twenty or …

The Australian economic recovery remained strong in the March quarter with GDP up 1.8% – seven reasons for optimism | AMP Capital

The Australian economic recovery remained strong in the March quarter with GDP up 1.8% – seven reasons for optimism Key points With growth of 1.8% in the March quarter, Australian GDP is now back above its pre pandemic level. While uncertainties remain – including around the latest coronavirus outbreak in Victoria – there are seven reasons for optimism that the recovery will continue at a decent rate: vaccines; global growth is ramping up; consumer spending …

Market outlook Q&A – global recovery, vaccines, inflation, the risk of a share crash, Aust house prices and other issues | AMP Capital

Market outlook Q&A – global recovery, vaccines, inflation, the risk of a share crash, Aust house prices and other issues   Key points Global recovery is on track. Vaccines are working. JobKeeper’s end won’t derail Australia’s recovery. Inflation could become an issue in the medium term. Shares are at risk of a correction but are supported by economic and earnings recovery. Australian house prices are booming again but expect measures to slow it down in …

Econosights: Outlook for the US economy in 2021

Econosights: Outlook for the US economy in 2021 Key points The US is due for a strong economic recovery in 2021, driven by a large injection of fiscal stimulus. US GDP should have recovered its 2020 COVID losses in the March quarter and be back to its pre-COVID trend level of GDP by end of the year. Fiscal stimulus could overheat the economy in late 2021/early 2022. Consumer inflation expectations are already at multi-year highs. …

FEB 21 – Global markets and macro update webinar

ECONOMICS & MARKETS FEB 21 – Global markets and macro update webinar By Diana Mousina Economist – Investment Strategy & Dynamic MarketsSydney Australia In this webinar, Diana Mousina, Senior Economist, provides an update on the outlook for macroeconomic and investment markets in 2021. Important information While every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, AMP Capital Investors Limited (ABN 59 001 777 591, AFSL 232497) and AMP Capital Funds Management Limited (ABN 15 …

2021 – A list of lists regarding the macro investment outlook

2021 – A list of lists regarding the macro investment outlook Key points 2020 turned out far better for investors than was feared. 2021 is expected to provide solid returns & see a further rotation from pandemic winners to cyclical investments. Watch: coronavirus and vaccines; US politics; China tensions; inflation; & the hit to immigration in Australia. Introduction 2020 turned out far better for diversified investors than had been feared when the pandemic hit triggering …