It saddens me that people are scared or hesitant to contribute to their superannuation due to the changes coming into effect on the 1st of July this year. It is clear that the majority of the changes to superannuation that come into effect on the 1st of July are directed towards the fortunate few who […]
financial planning
End of the year: Time to review what you want from superannuation
Clients I meet generally fall into three categories when it comes to their retirement capital: those that want to draw an income and build capital, those for whom capital preservation is paramount, and finally people who are happy to consume their capital. As featured on nestegg.com.au The first two groups usually have estate planning and […]
What did you not achieve this year?
“Wow. It’s almost Christmas” … “Where has the year gone” … Familiar cries for the start of December. What did you achieve in 2016? Did you achieve all that you set out to do? Chances are, you may not have achieved the financial and lifestyle goals that you thought you would have in 2016. One […]
The viability of self-managed superannuation funds has changed
Starting your own self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) has been a hot topic for over a decade now. In my time as a Financial Planner, I am observing that the age of clients seeking to open their own SMSF is becoming lower. Of all the new SMSF’s established in the last quarter, 29.8% had members between […]
Three financial strategies to prepare for a world influenced by US President Donald Trump
What a year! Malcolm Turnbull won Government by a slim majority, The United Kingdom votes to exit the European Union (a.k.a. “Brexit”) and now Donald J Trump is President-Elect as the 44th President of the USA. What does the election of Donald J Trump as US President mean for Australian Investors? What Can President Donald […]
Personal planning strategies that suit imputation bonds
The taxation and other features of the modern Insurance Bond favourably positions it as an alternative vehicle to using a family or discretionary trust for some personal planning strategies. Insurance Bonds (like the Imputation Bond) are the next best investment vehicle to superannuation and are experiencing a rebirth as a finance, tax and estate planning […]
Austock Life doubles its capabilities to service financial advisers
Specialist issuer, Austock Life, with an insurance bond book of $600 million says that the re-emerging insurance bond market is set for a further growth spurt due to the introduction of lifetime caps for non-concessional contributions no matter who wins the election. Largest BDM team for one product: insurance bonds As the leading player in […]
Imputation bonds and superannuation
Insurance Bonds are the next best sheltered tax vehicle to super and can deliver personal tax arbitrage benefits for higher taxed investors. They also open a multitude of financial planning strategies and solutions. Ross Higgins from AUSTOCK Life is seeing more clients and their advisers using Imputation Bonds in ‘strategy-based’ and/or ‘alternative structuring’ applications that […]