What the 2026 Budget means for your downsizing and retirement plans
The 2026 Federal Budget leaves the family home CGT exemption intact — but if you have an investment property or large super balance, the new rules could cost you. Here’s what to know.
Why the biggest cost of a retirement village is the day you leave
Why the biggest cost of a retirement village is the day you leave When people think about moving into a retirement village, the focus is usually on the upfront price or the weekly fees. But one of the most important — and often overlooked — costs is what happens when you leave. Understanding this before […]
I’m downsizing. Should I use the extra money to pay off my son’s mortgage?
Downsizing can free up a significant amount of money, and for many parents it raises an important question: should some of that money be used to help an adult child financially? A common scenario is using downsizing proceeds to pay off, or substantially reduce, a child’s mortgage. On the surface, it can feel like a […]
Why the pension feels unfair, and what you can do
Australia’s Age Pension is one of the most important safety nets for retirees, but the system doesn’t always feel fair. Many people who have worked hard, saved consistently, and lived within their means are surprised to discover that the rules sometimes favour wealthier retirees while penalising those with modest savings. There are quirks in the […]
If downsizing is on the Christmas agenda
With Christmas just around the corner, family gatherings often spark important chats — like whether it’s time for older loved ones to start thinking about downsizing into a retirement village. Retirement villages come with costs at every step: when you move in, while you’re living there, and when you leave. Exit fees can be particularly […]
How does living in a caravan park affect my pension?
Q. I was just wondering if you could clarify whether I was a homeowner for aged pension purposes. We live in a caravan park which has a number of elderly people over fifty living in cabins. We bought our cabin 18 months ago for $135,000 and currently pay management fees of $275 per fortnight, plus […]
How much do I need to retire?
How much do you need to retire? How long is a piece of string? Think about it, there are a multitude of factors that determine how much you would need to retire comfortably. These include the state of your health, your life expectancy, your spending habits, how often the kids put their hands out for […]
Parking your money the smart way
Navigating superannuation and the financial intricacies of retirement can be challenging. Let’s delve into some common queries about these matters, which many Australians grapple with. Accumulation vs. Pension mode: what’s the verdict? At 70, earning $110,000 annually and with $550,000 in super in a balanced fund, one might wonder if leaving their money in accumulation […]
How to avoid a ‘death tax’ on your superannuation
Superannuation’s so-called ‘death tax’ is a topic that’s sparked a lot of interest. However, its complexities and the ways to mitigate it are often not clear to many. Let’s delve deeper into what this tax is and how one can potentially work around it. A brief on superannuation components In layman’s terms, your superannuation balance […]
