All about annuities

  All about annuities  All about annuities Offering a secure income for as long as you need it, annuities are often seen as a safe, but not very sexy option for investing your retirement savings. This animation unpacks the pros and cons of annuities.   Online source: Produced by The Financial Financial Planning Association of Australia and published on 25 January 2018.  Original article.    

The true value of financial advice

The true value of financial advice Does investing in a financial planner really pay off? According to the latest research from Sunsuper you could be thousands of dollars better off when you make choices based on professional financial advice. Plus you’ll take more family holidays, have greater peace of mind and more confidence in your financial decisions. Teaming up with research experts, Core Data, Sunsuper have released The Value of Advice Report. Insights include financial forecasts …

Planning for a (much) longer life

Planning for a (much) longer life We generally need to make earnings from 40 to 50 years in the workforce extend across what could be 80 to 90 years of living. Australians today need to do something our parents and grandparents didn’t even think about – plan for a long life, and a new report shows the benefits of planning for longevity go beyond money matters. The gift of an extra decade Australians enjoy one of …

Pre-federal Budget 2018 commentary

Pre-federal Budget 2018 commentary Winners and losers from the pre-election budget AMP Capital’s Senior Economist Diana Mousina gives a rundown of what you can expect from this year’s budget. View the video below. Diana Mousina, Senior Economist, Multi Asset Group, AMP Capital Our overall expectation for this year’s budget is that it will look and feel like a pre-election year budget. What that means is it will have plenty of good news for the household hip …

Investment bonds – a possible alternative to superannuation

Investment bonds – a possible alternative to superannuation Because many people can no longer put as much money into super, an investment bond may provide another way to save for retirement. On 1 July last year, the amount of money many Australians could put into superannuation was reduced as a result of the introduction of more restrictive contribution caps. Consequently, some people were left asking the question – I have money or I expect to …

Borrowing money: When and how to do it right

Borrowing money: When and how to do it right We all know getting into debt isn’t really desirable. So are there times when borrowing is justified? And what’s the best approach to keeping repayments within reasonable limits? We spoke to CFP® Sandy Hopps  to get expert advice on smart ways to borrow money. Recent reports and statistics show we’re no strangers to debt in Australia. According to OECD data from 2015, Australia is 4th in the world …

Is this your year to retire?

Is this your year to retire? If you’ve got retirement in your sights this year, we’ve got the ultimate checklist to help you retire in style. Discover how to prepare for this exciting new chapter in your life, safe in the knowledge that your finances will be taking care of you. 1. Explore your goals and make plans Enjoying retirement to the full isn’t just a matter of money. It’s just as important to have …

What are “returns”?

What are “returns”?  You’ve heard people brag about the great “returns” they may be earning, but there is more than meets the eye when it comes to talking about returns. Just as the word suggests, returns are what comes back to you from your investments or savings. So if you’ve put money in the bank, your returns will include the interest you’ve earned over and above the money you invested. Total returns If you have successfully …

7 little ways to be better with money

7 little ways to be better with money  Discover these 7 essential ways to change your money mindset and behaviour for good and feel richer for decades to come. 1. Develop your own value One of the most important investments you can make is in yourself. Whether that’s reading up on something that interests you, improving your skills and education, getting expert support from a coach or mentor or looking after your health and well-being, …