A straight-forward strategy to assist children and grandchildren with a first home deposit by parents, grandparents or other persons is to invest a single lump sum contribution (e.g. $5,000) in an Insurance Bond the investments objective is for long-term accumulation for a dedicated purpose and the Bond vesting for a nominated child at a particular age.
For instance an Insurance Bond may be set to vest at his or her 21st birthday, or say age 25 as an endowment benefit for one, or a range of special intended purposes set by the funder of the Bond.
Alternatively, you might leave it to the nominated child’s own discretion whether the Bond is drawn-down, or for it to continue as his or her own tax-effective investment during its vested stage.
Funding a Child’s First Home or Deposit … Avoiding the ‘overstayers’
Many parents are increasingly worried about the financial burden of their children who are financially unable to afford to leave home before age 30 or even later. An Insurance Bond can help as a dedicated investment to assist their children to meet the financial challenges of accumulating a first home deposit.
For grandparents, this is a simple and tax-effective way to set up a type of “directed” inheritance that can help with funding a grandchild’s first home, meet education costs, perhaps used to reduce a mortgage or a HECS debt.
Case study*: Turning $5,000 into a sizable part of the house deposit
Steve, an airline captain and sworn bachelor is the proud god-parent of best mate James’ first born, Stephanie. Steve wants to set up an investment for Stephanie to give her a financial head start in life.
Steve wants a “Set-and-Forget” investment where he doesn’t have to worry about tax administration (including paying tax on investment returns himself) and something that will automatically vest for Stephanie when she turns 21.
Steve decides to set-up a ChildBuilder and invests $5,000 under a Lump Sum Plan
Given the very long time-frame, he selects three Australian share based options from the Bond’s menu. He also sets a few Intended Purposes – overseas travel, a first home deposit, but is happy for Stephanie to decide how she might use her Bond.
Based on an average 9% p.a. after-tax rate of return (net of fees), Steve calculates that on Stephanie’s 21st birthday, the $5,000 invested in her ChildBuilder should be worth $30,544.
At this time Stephanie is able to access her Bond as a Tax-Free lump sum withdrawal or keep it as her own investment for ongoing access.
* This case study is a hypothetical example and not meant to illustrate the circumstances of any particular individual. It is not based on actual or forecast investment returns for ChildBuilder Bonds. Past performance has been used in the illustration but is not indicative of future performance.
Media enquiries:
Richard Atkinson
Head of IFA Product and Relationships
Austock Life Limited
t: (03) 8601 2095
m: 0417 541 897
e: RAtkinson@austock.com
www.austocklife.com