Care Communities: The new kind of living
Retirement villages were once a byword for independence. Today a newer option has emerged — the care community, designed entirely for ageing in place. Rachel Lane explains how they work, what they cost, and the practical questions to ask before you move.
The aged care trap pushing couples to the brink
When one partner moves into aged care, most couples assume they’ll navigate it together. What they don’t expect is that the financial weight falls almost entirely on one side. The aged care means test splits a couple’s income and assets 50/50. In theory, that sounds reasonable. In practice, once one partner is in care, the […]
Celebrating the people behind great retirement communities
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the privilege of travelling around the country representing Village Guru at the Property Council of Australia Retirement Living Awards — presenting this year’s state honours for excellence in retirement living. Everywhere I’ve gone, one thing has stood out. Passion. Village managers and sales professionals care deeply about […]
The $10b aged care “rip-off” — why downsizers should care
Last week in The Age, I raised a confronting question in my column: “Why Labor’s shiny new aged care scheme is a $10b rip-off.” In the article, I examined whether recent aged care reforms are truly delivering for older Australians — or quietly saving the federal budget billions. For many readers, the focus was political. […]
Why your aged care could cost more than a Ferrari
Most people would think twice before spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a luxury car. Yet for many Australians, the most expensive financial decision they will ever face isn’t a Ferrari — it’s aged care. Across much of Australia, the price of entering residential aged care now routinely involves accommodation costs of around $750,000. […]
Christmas gifting and the Age Pension
Christmas is a time of generosity, and many grandparents enjoy helping their children or grandchildren with gifts that really matter — education fees, a first car, or a contribution towards a home. But when it comes to larger gifts, there’s one thing that often gets overlooked: how gifting can affect your Age Pension. Why gifting […]
Buy now, pay later in retirement villages — should you have a choice?
Choice is meant to be at the heart of retirement living — choosing the right community, the right lifestyle, and the right level of care. Yet when it comes to how residents pay for their retirement village unit, many people are still offered only one option. That’s starting to change. More retirement village operators are […]
Starting aged care discussions early saves stress and money
No one likes talking about aged care. For many families, it’s a conversation that sits quietly in the background — something to “deal with later”. But delaying the discussion often leads to rushed decisions, emotional strain and unnecessary financial pressure. And with Christmas approaching — a rare time when families are together — it can […]
Which retirement village contract is best?
When you’re comparing retirement village contracts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the numbers — deferred management fees, refurbishment costs, capital gains, and buyback timeframes. So which contract is really better value? Let’s look at an example. A reader recently asked about two contracts: Understanding what you’re really paying for The first option provides […]
Should you give your kids a living inheritance?
Many parents like the idea of giving their children money while they’re alive to enjoy it — a “living inheritance.” But giving away large sums isn’t always straightforward, and it can affect your own financial security in retirement. The appeal of a living inheritance For some, it’s about helping children buy a home. For others, […]
