Income Streams
How COVID-19 changes tax time
As this financial year draws to a close, it will be viewed as a year like no other. COVID-19 (coronavirus) has impacted everybody’s life, albeit in different ways for different people. For some, staying at home has meant greater savings. For others, the virus has meant lower wages or even the prospect of unemployment for…
Read MoreSimpler means-testing forms
Simplification in aged care rules is always a positive outcome. The government has just released new means-test forms for clients accessing residential or home care services which may make the process much quicker and simpler. The new forms are the outcome of a government taskforce which included a number of organisations, including Jacqui Hayes from…
Read MoreWhere is the best place to stash your cash?
If, like many Australians, you’re looking for ways to put some cash away for a rainy day, a holiday or to earn extra income, the job has just become a bit harder. It’s also become more urgent if you are expecting a handy tax return. In early July, the Reserve Bank cut rates to 1 per…
Read MoreCentrelink impact of renting the former home
Residents who move into residential aged care from January 1, 2017 and rent their former home will receive less generous Centrelink/Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) assessments due to changes that are now effective. The Omnibus Bill, which received Royal Assent on September 16, 2016, saw the changes first announced in the 2015 Mid-Year Economic and…
Read MoreMake the most of your Retirement Income
Adjusting to a reduced income in retirement can be challenging. But luckily, there are a wide range of support options available, plus all sorts of discounts and benefits, to give Australian retirees a financial helping hand. Entering retirement means freedom from the pressures of work, but it can also mean getting used to a tighter income. So make sure…
Read MoreComparing Allocated Pensions against Annuities
Generating and maintaining a long-term income is an important aspect of retirement. Commonly, most retirees find themselves deciding between the two board types of income streams: account-based pensions (formerly known as allocated pensions) and annuities. An account-based pension is an income paid to you from your superannuation fund. In recent years account-based pensions have been…
Read More