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Anyone who has completed their own tax return will know that the tax office treats different types of income differently. Bank interest is recorded in one section, dividends from shares in another and managed fund distributions somewhere else. And unless you are taking a pension or lump sum from your super, you don’t need to include your earnings on those funds at all. Returns from investing in shares and property – in particular – come with some real tax benefits. The trick is to make sure you take advantage of them. Understand the rules The most common tax benefits are: Franked dividends from Australian shares – these represent a tax credit of up to 30% for tax already paid by the company. But beware, if your franking credit entitlement is over $5,000 the shares must have been held for at least 45 days. A fifty percent discount on the capital gain made from the sale of a personally held asset. Superannuation funds can qualify for a one-third discount. But this only applies where the asset has been held for at least 12 months. Capital losses can be offset against capital gains and the net gain is only payable when the asset is sold. The tax can be deferred for a long time. Choose who owns the assetsThe best tax outcome can be achieved with a low-income earner holding investment assets. They could earn up to $20,542 tax-free, receive a refund of all imputation credits and pay less tax on capital gains. For instance, if an investor on the top marginal tax rate of 47% had a $100,000 capital gain they would pay $23,500 in tax and Medicare. If an investor with no other income had a $100,000 capital gain they would pay $8,797 – a saving of $14,703. Choose the structureSuperannuation funds have the most generous tax arrangements. If you manage a share portfolio in a super fund, capital gains will be taxed at 10% or 15%, whereas if you held them privately they would be taxed up to 23.5% or 47%. Imputation credits are especially valuable in a super fund because the fund pays a flat 15% tax and the 30% tax credit can be used to offset tax on other income. Be smart about timingThe 45-day and 12-month rules are obviously important to maximise tax benefits. Capital gains are only incurred when an asset is sold and capital gains tax (CGT) can be deferred indefinitely. An investment asset can be passed through your estate to future generations and no CGT would be payable. Superannuation provides special opportunities to avoid CGT altogether. In the accumulation stage of superannuation, the fund pays tax at 15% but once a pension is started, the fund pays no tax at all. A share portfolio or a property can be sold once the pension has started and no CGT would be payable. The opportunity to invest tax-effectively using some of these methods will vary from one person to the next. Make sure you seek advice about how they relate to your own situation. Contact us today to get started!   This is general information only  

Far from being the realm of the rich, building an investment portfolio is something that most people can do. It can start as a simple savings plan – a few dollars in the bank – before expanding into a diversified portfolio containing a range of asset classes. Getting started may be easier than you think, so let’s look at some of the basics. How do my goals influence investment choice? Your goals have a big bearing on how you invest. If you are saving for a specific purpose such as an overseas trip, a car or a home deposit, you’ll most likely have a relatively short investment time frame and will want your savings to grow in a predictable way. In this case an interest-bearing bank account or term deposits will provide the greatest certainty of meeting your savings goal. With no upfront costs you really can get started with a few dollars. If you have a longer timeframe and the desire for your investments to deliver higher returns, you’ll be looking to include asset classes that can provide capital growth as well as income. These include shares and property. For small investors the most practical way to access property may be via a managed fund. Shares can also be purchased through managed funds, or directly via a share broker. Taking into account minimum brokerage costs on shares and minimum investment amounts set by fund managers, you’ll probably want to have $1,000 to $2,000 available to make the move from ‘saver’ to ‘investor’. What are the risks? Shares, property and even fixed interest investments can all rise and fall in value. In other words, they carry greater risk than cash investments. Spreading your money across a range of asset classes and specific investments, and sticking to a long-term strategy decreases investment risk. But fluctuating markets also create opportunities. If you regularly contribute new funds to your portfolio, you’ll get more for your money during down times than you will when markets are booming. What about costs? Fund managers may charge entry fees, management fees and exit fees, and it’s important to be aware of all of the specific fees that apply to you. All other things being equal, the higher the fees the lower your investment returns. Tax can also be considered a cost, and depending on the complexity of your investments, you may also incur fees for accounting and financial advice. Should I start with a lump sum or with a savings plan? This depends entirely on you circumstances and desires. Receiving a lump sum such as an inheritance or a tax refund is often the catalyst for someone to start investing. But without such a windfall, it’s still possible to build a great portfolio. Many managed funds offer the option of starting with a relatively small initial deposit followed by regular or irregular additional contributions. How do I start investing? Over long time frames, decisions made now can make a big difference to the performance of your portfolio. If you’re new to the field one of the best investments may be to consult a financial adviser. An adviser can help you clarify your goals, understand the jargon and determine your tolerance of risk. They can also recommend specific investments and point out the potential tax implications of different investment choices. Excited by the possibilities? Getting started is as easy as making a phone call. Contact us today to get started!   This is general information only  

Many of us would like to think that ‘older’ means ‘wiser’, but when it comes to money that isn’t always the case. The complexity of Australia’s superannuation system doesn’t help. The upshot is that there are a number of common mistakes that retiring and retired Australians make. What are those mistakes and how might you avoid them? Underestimating how much you need The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia’s (ASFA) Retirement Standard calculates that a “comfortable” retirement for a couple costs $60,843 per year. For singles the figure is $43,200 per year. To fund these levels of income, the ASFA calculates that a couple will need a nest egg of $640,000, and a single $545,000 at retirement. Retiring too early. Australians retiring today can expect to live until their mid-80s. For retirees in their mid-50s, that means finding a way to pay for a further 30 years of life. The obvious solution to retiring too soon is to work longer. This provides a double benefit: it extends the savings period allowing a greater sum to be saved, and delays the point where withdrawals start to eat into accumulated funds. Not topping up super. Making additional contributions into superannuation can really boost super savings. Strategies involving salary sacrifice, spouse contributions and government co-contributions should all be in play well before retirement. Withdrawing super as a lump sum. Superannuation can be withdrawn as a lump sum after retirement, and if you are over 60 it’s all tax-free. But then what? Common choices are to take that big trip or renovate the home. If you’re thinking of dipping into your savings in a big way, make sure you understand the potential implications for your future lifestyle. Carrying debt into retirement. It can be hard enough keeping up mortgage, car finance or credit card interest payments even when you’re working. It can become a real burden in retirement. Where possible, do your best to pay down debt. Paying for unnecessary insurance. Free of debt and without financial dependants, you may not need to maintain the same level of life and disability insurance you once required. Also, premiums can become expensive as you get older. The run up to retirement is an ideal time to review your insurances, a task best done under the guidance of your financial adviser. Invaluable advice. While the expectation may be that life should get less complicated as you get older, this short list reveals that’s not always the case. Many of these mistakes come with a high price tag but can be avoided by seeking professional advice. Your financial planner will be able to assess your specific circumstances and help you develop a plan for your retirement. But don’t wait until you actually retire. As you can see, it’s never too early to start planning. Contact us today!   This is general information only  

Investment planning is an important part of financial planning but underpinning the whole process of creating wealth in the first place is having a good financial strategy. For many people that strategy is taking each day as it comes and letting the future look after itself; but in a complex and ever-changing world, isn’t a more active approach a good idea? Each of us has specific needs and desires, of course, but there are a number of common challenges that we need to think about when developing our financial strategies. Stage of life Baby boomers are moving into retirement in droves, so Gen X is taking on the mantle of being the great wealth accumulators. For the most part, this generation has their strategies in place: pay down the mortgage, contribute to super, maybe buy an investment property, and wait for the kids to leave home. Generationally, it’s millennials who face the greatest challenges in developing a financial strategy. Younger millennials are just embarking on careers and the focus is, understandably, on having a good time. Many feel priced out of the housing market, and while the ‘gig’ economy promises greater work flexibility, this comes with reduced job security and often no employer superannuation contributions. Then there’s the challenge of balancing starting a family with establishing a career. All up there’s a lot to plan for. Gender The path to income equality is a slow and frustrating one. In general, over their working lives, women continue to earn significantly less than men. This is largely due to time out of the workforce to look after children. However, progress is being made, and an increasing number of women are earning more than their partners. Having Dad take time off to look after the kids then becomes a viable financial strategy. On top of that, the gig economy, and technology in general, is opening up more opportunities for stay-at-home parents to earn a decent income. Relationship breakdown Sadly, many long-term relationships end, and the emotional and financial costs can be high. This isn’t an issue that anyone wants to think about but is obviously a trigger for developing a new financial strategy. This is particularly important when children are involved, and expert help will likely be needed. Inheritance More wealth is being transferred from older to younger generations than ever before, and thanks to superannuation, this trend can only grow. Receiving an inheritance is often the event that leads many people to seek financial advice. While the focus may be on creating an investment plan, this is an ideal time to look at the broader financial strategy to make the most of any inheritance. Never too soon to start The upshot is that pretty much everyone can benefit from having a financial plan. It doesn’t need to be complicated and you can get the ball rolling yourself. A simple savings plan or paying off credit card debt can be good places start. To make the most of your situation it’s a good idea to talk to a financial adviser. A qualified financial adviser can help you understand the complex financial environment and what you need to know to work out the likely outcomes of different strategies. Contact us today! This is general information only

Many people eagerly anticipate retirement. Others view its approach with trepidation, worried over how they’ll fill their days. Australians are living longer; it’s not unreasonable to assume you’ll be retired for 20 or 30 years. Not sure how you’ll fill all those days? We have a few ideas to kick-start your new life. Learn/Teach something Do you have skills and talents you can share with others? Are you interested in learning from others in return? The University of the Third Age (U3A) may be your kind of group. Located all over Australia, U3A groups meet regularly to provide learning and engagement for older people and disabled younger people. Organisers run structured courses with professional leaders or casual knowledge-share sessions conducted by group members or invited guests. Look up the U3A in your area or visit www.u3a.org.au for information. Become an Olympic athlete Return to your favourite sport or learn a new one. Sports like archery and golf are Olympic sports! It’s true, and organisers of the 2020 Tokyo games are considering including bowls as well. Or closer to home, you can begin preparing now to enter the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast in 2020. Write your memoirs Everyone has a story to tell – yes, even you! You may think your life is rather ho-hum, but your children and grandchildren might disagree. Many independent publishers will help you produce a beautiful memoir with a short print run, perfect for family and friends. Community Feel like giving something back? The Australian Men’s Shed Association is a body that supports the health and wellbeing of men. It’s a terrific organisation for retirees with academic or practical skills to share through events and learning activities. To find a Men’s Shed near you, go to www.mensshed.org for details. If that’s not your thing consider helping 4-legged friends at your local animal shelter. Love children? What about becoming a “Pyjama Angel”? Full details can be found on the Pyjama Foundation website www.thepyjamafoundation.com. Or check out your community notice board for local opportunities. If retirement has snuck up and caught you unprepared, think about what you enjoy doing, what your skills and interests are and get busy. You’ve still got a lot of living to do – and finally, it’s all about you! This is general information only

They have been around for decades, but interest-free deals can still be confusing and costly when not managed correctly. Excitable advertising can make these offers almost too good to refuse, particularly with longer terms applying to higher levels of finance. For example, to get five years’ interest-free on purchases from some retailers, the minimum spend is $1,000. This simple condition could turn a necessary purchase of say, a new fridge, into a multiple purchase prompted by the seemingly innocent question, “do you need to upgrade your TV?”. Five years up your sleeve to pay off a larger purchase may sound too tempting to pass up but never forget the age-tested maxim “buyer beware”. In the case of interest-free it’s not always as simple as it sounds. How do these deals make money? Not to be confused with the newer “buy now, pay later” products where no interest is ever charged, interest-free deals simply defer the interest to the end of the promotional period and then it appears with guns blazing! Interest will be charged on any outstanding amount at ridiculously high levels, often close to 30% per annum. For instance, if you had a loan of $3,000, how would you feel about paying an extra $1,000 interest per year? That’s not smart buying. Although some do, the credit provider is not obligated to warn that the interest-free period is ending. It’s up to you to calculate the monthly repayments to clear the debt during the interest-free period and pay that amount – or more if you can. It’s not just interest It may seem attractive but having a longer period to pay off a purchase will cost you more, particularly when it’s for a relatively inexpensive item, e.g. a $1,000 TV. The monthly account-keeping fee will add up considerably over a longer period. Five years (60 months) at $5.95 is an extra $357 in fees. Reducing the period of the loan will save you money on these fees. There are also late payment fees if you miss the monthly due date. As part of the deal, you will usually be provided with a store card or another credit card for this purchase. The card credit limit may be much higher than your initial purchase as a way to encourage you to spend more, so if you don’t need the extra credit ask for the card limit to match the full purchase price when completing the application. The salesman may explain that you might not be able to increase it later but take control and stick to your decision. The card could also have an annual fee so if you repay the total balance within the first 12 months and don’t plan to use it for another purchase make a note to cancel it before the provider charges another annual fee. Buying smart If you intend to buy using an interest-free offer, check your budget and make sure you can repay the entire purchase price (plus fees) before the expiry of the interest-free period. Managed well, interest will be your friend. If not, it will be a very expensive enemy. Looking to learn more about interest? Check out our free Understanding Credit Cards course – we’ll tell you what you need to know to ensure you never let your credit card get the best of you!   This is general information only

You might think that only importers and exporters pay attention to the value of the Aussie dollar, but movements in the exchange rate affect us all. After peaking at US$0.81 in late January 2018 the Australian dollar fell as low as US$0.70 in October. It also fell against a number of other currencies. A falling Aussie dollar makes it more costly to travel overseas and increases the local cost of imported goods. On the upside, it makes many of our exports less expensive for foreign buyers, giving a boost to our farmers and other exporters. The reverse applies in the case of a rising dollar, but movements in exchange rates don’t just influence our living costs. Most people with superannuation will have a portion invested in overseas assets, and changes in currency values can also influence the performance of retirement savings – a lower dollar boosts the local value of our overseas investments while a higher dollar has the reverse effect. So what are the main influences on exchange rates? Ultimately it comes down to supply and demand, and that can be determined by a number of things: Interest rates. Imagine an Australian investor earning 1% interest on her money. She looks across the Pacific and sees that she can earn 2% in the USA. Here’s an opportunity to double her income! To do so she needs to buy US dollars, increasing demand for the greenback and thus increasing its value against the Australian dollar. Exchange rates respond very quickly to both actual changes in official interest rates, and to expectations of where interest rates in different countries are heading. Commodity prices. From wheat and wool, to iron ore and natural gas, Australia produces a wealth of commodities. When demand for materials falls, less money flows into Australia, and with decreased demand our dollar falls in value. The economy. If the economy is doing it tough the Reserve Bank of Australia may drop interest rates to encourage borrowing and stimulate investment. This takes us back to item 1. A weak economy relative to other countries attracts less overseas investment, causing the local currency to fall. Politics. Elections and referenda can create a climate of economic uncertainty that investors, on the whole, don’t like. However, if the market thinks that a more business-friendly government is likely to be elected, this could boost the value of our dollar. Fear. In times of market volatility and global political upheaval, investors flock to the US dollar as a ‘safe haven’ currency. Most other currencies, including ours, usually fall relative to the US currency. But it’s not that simple Other things can influence currency values, such as speculation or central bank intervention. There’s also a lot of interaction between the influences outlined above. For example, strong commodity prices may give a boost to the economy, which leads to higher interest rates. Throw in some political uncertainty add a touch of speculation and things quickly become very complicated. So, will the Aussie dollar rise or continue to fall? History suggests flipping a coin may provide as useful an answer as following the opinions of ‘experts’.   Does the value of the Aussie dollar affect you? 18/11/2018 This is general information only

It’s a common question asked by employees: “what should I do about my super?” If you are an employer or manager and feel confident of your knowledge of superannuation and investment, it can be tempting to give an answer. However, just about anything helpful you have to say will likely fall within the definition of giving financial product advice, and that could land you in very hot water. The boundaries Financial product advice is a recommendation or statement of opinion that: is intended to influence a person or persons in making a decision in relation to a financial product or class of products; or could reasonably be regarded as being intended to have such an influence. The Corporations Act casts a wide net. Financial product advice can include anything you say about: joining, or making contributions to, a superannuation fund; making additional contributions to a super fund, including by salary sacrifice; rolling accumulated superannuation into or out of a fund; and selecting particular investment or insurance options within a superannuation fund. The ability to provide advice is generally restricted to holders of an Australian Financial Services Licence or their representatives. Very few employers, or their staff, fall into this category, and giving financial product advice, even inadvertently, could lead to prosecution. What can you talk about? You can provide factual information that does not include a recommendation, an opinion, or an intention to influence a person’s decision regarding their super. This allows you to provide information about: employees’ rights and employer obligations; how your employees can tell you what superannuation fund or retirement savings account (RSA) they want their superannuation guarantee contributions paid into; or the employer fund into which you will pay superannuation guarantee contributions if the employee doesn’t nominate a superannuation fund or RSA. You can also give your employees the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your default superannuation fund. Just don’t provide any explanation of the material it contains or attempt to recommend the default fund. How can you help? None of this precludes you from helping your employees. You just need to go about it the right way. For example, you can refer employees to a licensed or authorised adviser. Just be sure to disclose any benefit you may gain from making such a referral. Or you can ask a superannuation fund provider to make a presentation to your employees. Take care, though, that you don’t give the impression of either endorsing or disapproving of the fund in question. Being asked for advice is recognition that your employees respect your views and knowledge. It can be flattering and you may well know a great deal about superannuation and investment. However, without the necessary authorisation, you need to steer well clear of financial product advice. And it’s not just you who needs to be aware of these restrictions. You need to ensure that your HR staff and line managers are also aware.   What can you tell your employees about Super 14/11/2018 This is general information only

With Australia’s age pension being subject to an assets and income test, a simple way for part-pensioners to increase their pension payments is to give away some assets. Not surprisingly the government is on to such an obvious strategy. It’s called gifting, and while it is perfectly legal for you to give away whatever you want whenever you want, if you exceed the relevant limits, Centrelink will continue to assess, what it calls “deprived assets”, for five years. The limits Gifting is defined as giving away assets or transferring them for less than their market value. Limits are the same for both singles and couples. If you give away less than $10,000 within a single financial year and no more than $30,000 over five consecutive financial years, Centrelink will disregard these gifts. Any gifts in excess of the allowable amount will be assessed as an asset (and, where applicable, subject to the income test) for a period of five years from when the gift was made. Planning ahead These rules don’t just apply to existing pensioners. They also concern anyone who is applying for the age pension, as recent retiree Frank discovered. Frank has reached age pension age and based on his current assets and income he should be eligible for a part pension. However: Four years ago he gave his daughter one of his cars, valued at $25,000. At the same time he gave his son $25,000 in cash, to match the value of the car. Two years ago Frank sold a beach house on the open market for $210,000. This was $40,000 less than the initial valuation from the estate agent. In the past year he spent $35,000 on home renovations and $15,000 on an overseas trip. What does this mean for his pension assessment? The money spent on renovations and holidays count as normal living expenses, not a gift. Likewise, with $210,000 being the best offer Frank received for his holiday home after it had been on the market for a couple of months, the property would not be considered to have been disposed of for less than its market value. Whilst he understands that the money he gave to his son is clearly a gift, Frank’s biggest surprise is the treatment of the car. Four years after he gave it to his daughter it’s about to be treated by Centrelink as an asset Frank still owns. That means Frank gave away $50,000 in one year. The annual ‘Gifting Free Area’ is $10,000, so the difference, $40,000, will be counted as an asset for the next year. This will reduce his pension by more than $100 per fortnight. If Frank had thought about his pension five years before he was eligible to apply for it, he could have achieved a better outcome. Seek advice To gift or not to gift? It’s an intricate question. The right answer depends very much on personal circumstances, so talk to your financial planner. He or she can help you work through all the issues, including the complex calculations of the impact of multiple gifts over several years.   To gift or not to gift 31/10/2018 This is general information only

When developing a budget, it’s easy to think that you have no control over costs for essential items such as electricity, particularly when every bill seems to be higher than the last. But if you look closely at your energy usage at home and make a few small changes to reduce your consumption, you will be able to use that extra cash in more enjoyable ways than paying it to an electricity provider. In addition, you are making a valuable contribution to the environment. The following five tips can help put more money in your pocket. Install efficient appliances. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 80% less energy and can last up to eight times longer than conventional bulbs. Similarly, installing a water-saving showerhead can cut water usage by up to 50% and save on water heating costs. Control the temperature. Set the air-conditioner thermostat at an appropriate level that is optimum for comfort and efficiency. 25°C is the recommended temperature. Wearing appropriate clothing for the climate and installing insulation can reduce the need for additional heating or cooling. Go natural. Using the sun and fresh air to dry your laundry is a free alternative to the clothes dryer. Consult the stars. When purchasing new appliances, check the star or energy rating. The more stars, the greater the energy efficiency, and the more you can save. Turn it off. Turn off appliances if you are no longer using them; even turning off the standby function on electronic equipment will save dollars. A very simple habit is to switch off the light every time you leave a room. There are many more ideas– just look around your home to discover ways you can switch and save. Don’t forget to involve your kids. It will help them to learn about saving money at the same time. And finally, with so many energy companies vying for your business, shop around for the best deal for you. Visit the Australian Government’s website www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/ to compare energy offers.   Energy made easy 17/10/2018 This is general information only