January 1st 2017 Pension Changes

Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2016
How the assets test will work in 2017 could increase your Age Pension entitlements, or take some or all of them away. With revisions to the Age Pension assets test just around the corner, it’s important to understand how the changes could impact you, particularly with part-pension thresholds somewhat tighter than initially projected. These thresholds are the value of assets you can own (excluding your home) before you lose eligibility for the Age Pension. Who the changes will affect The Age Pension assets test changes will affect Age Pension recipients, aged 65 and over. To be eligible for a full or part Age Pension, retirees must satisfy an income test and an assets test, as well as other requirements.1 According to reports, changes to the assets test, effective 1 January 2017, will see more than 50,000 additional Australians receive the full Age Pension. Meanwhile, roughly 300,000 retirees on the part pension will have their entitlements reduced, with about 100,000 losin ... Read the rest of entry »

2016 - A Battle Fought On Game Of Thrones

Posted on Monday, December 12, 2016
Whilst I am not a regular watcher of the show one fund manager has described the 2016 year as an epic battle that could have been fought on Game of Thrones.  What has been demonstrated time and time again is that having the largest army doesn't mean you'll win the war. The rulers of various kingdoms have had to come up with some out-of-the-box strategies to make sure they emerge triumphant. 

We have seen the downfall of political dynasties (Various world leaders), old-age alliances broken (Brexit), claims of currency manipulation and corruption (Banks). Not surprisingly markets have panicked this year and investors have been left pondering whether “Winter is Coming” (Trump). Read the rest of entry »

Mortgage Stress On The Rise Despite Low Interest Rates

Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2016
Record low rates don’t seem to have helped mortgage holders from feeling the pinch, as the number of Australians behind on their mortgage payments has hit its highest level in three years. A new report from credit ratings agency Moody’s shows the proportion of borrowers more than 30 days behind on their mortgage payments hit 1.5%. Read the rest of entry »

Looking After Clients & Passengers

Posted on Saturday, October 8, 2016
After a week away with a mix of business and pleasure with my wife Sarah we flew home on Wednesday morning at 1.30am, Jetstar from Phuket to Sydney.  Like any flight you jump on board and hope that the TV entertainment works, then after that you hope the headset works after that your done.  Read the rest of entry »

Paying Rent? Here Are Suburbs Where A Mortgage Is Cheaper!

Posted on Saturday, September 24, 2016
New REIV data shows that tenants can repay the mortgage on a $215,000 one-bedroom property for just $226 a week - $149 less than the suburb’s median weekly rent of $375. 

With a median apartment price of $328,000, one-bedroom apartments in Melbourne are also more affordable to buy than rent with weekly mortgage repayments of $345 - $50 less than the weekly median rent of $395. Read the rest of entry »