What to Do with an Inheritance When You’re Starting a Family

A sudden inheritance can feel like the ultimate financial safety net, especially when it lands just as a young family is preparing to grow. But turning a windfall into lasting security takes more than good intentions. With Australia on track for a $5.4 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer over the coming decades, more families than ever will face the same question: what's the smartest way to use a lump sum, whether that means clearing the non-deductible debt, topping up super, investing for the long term or simply buying back a little breathing room in those early years of parenthood. ...Read more

Discovering Your Retirement Personality

New research from Challenger's Institute for Lifetime Income and Susan Bell Research has identified four distinct ways Australians experience retirement, and the findings challenge a common assumption. It is not simply the size of your superannuation balance that shapes your post-work lifestyle. It is your mindset. Whether you fall into the Carefree, Content, Cautious or Concerned camp can say more about how confidently you spend, save and enjoy your retirement years than your account balance alone. ...Read more

Are You Contributing Enough to Super for a Comfortable Retirement?

Most working Australians assume their employer’s compulsory super contributions will be enough to fund a comfortable retirement, but the numbers tell a different story. With ASFA now putting the comfortable retirement benchmark at $630,000 for singles and $730,000 for couples, this guide breaks down the age-based savings milestones you should be tracking against, why the 12% Super Guarantee alone may leave a shortfall, and the tax-effective strategies, from salary sacrificing to carry-forward contributions, that can help close the gap before you stop working. ...Read more

Exploring Annuities and Your Age Pension Entitlements

While the concept of annuities can sometimes divide opinion among financial professionals, they remain a specific feature of the Australian retirement system intended to alleviate the worry of outliving your savings. Because the government wants to encourage retirees to secure a steady income for life, lifetime annuities receive favourable treatment under both the Age Pension income and assets tests. If you are looking for ways to boost your regular Centrelink payments while creating a reliable income floor for your later years, understanding how these discounted assessments work is a worthwhile step in your retirement planning. ...Read more