Is there a catch with land lease communities?
Land lease communities vs retirement villages When considering a move to a retirement community, you may come across two popular models — retirement villages and land lease communities. While both offer lifestyle benefits, they are fundamentally different in terms of contracts, costs, and financial implications. One of the big attractions of a land lease community […]
Vertical land lease communities: A new way to retire closer to the city
For decades, land lease communities have provided an affordable, community-oriented lifestyle for retirees, evolving from simple cabins in caravan parks to luxurious resort-style living. Traditionally, these communities have been built on large plots of land on the urban fringe or in regional areas. But now, a groundbreaking project on the Gold Coast is set to […]
Granny flats — great solution or road to disaster?
Granny flats are increasingly being seen as a quick and affordable solution to the housing crisis, with many state governments easing planning restrictions to facilitate their construction. These units offer a myriad of benefits, transforming the once humble granny flat into a valuable asset. They provide secure and comfortable homes purpose-built for aging, reduce social […]
New book on estate planning
“Wills, Death & Taxes Made Simple” by Noel Whittaker is available now, it is the ultimate guide to estate planning. Recently, Noel was having a chat with the guy who takes care of his garden, and he asked him if he had a will. He replied, “never got around to it. It all seems too […]
2024 Federal Budget recap for older Australians
For seniors, the 2024 Federal Budget measures of interest include: $300 off your power bill The $300 reduction in power bills is for every household (not just seniors), with no means test applied. The $300 is a rebate rather than a payment, so it will be deducted from the bill. It will be paid in […]
Want to help the housing crisis? Bring back the pensioner savings account
When downsizing your home, it’s essential to consider the impact on your pension. The issue has persisted for years, exacerbated by changes to the pension asset test in 2017 and rising property prices. However, there’s a potential solution that could benefit retirees: the reintroduction of a pensioner savings account. Background: Pensioner Savings Account The Productivity […]
Making retirement village comparison easy
Making retirement village fee comparison easy There’s often a lot of confusion when it comes to retirement village fees, but now there’s a simple tool to make it easier. Following our mantra of downsizing made simple. Moving into a retirement village can come with a number of fantastic advantages to help make your retirement years […]
Almost 5m Australians will get a pension pay rise on 20 March
20 March will see almost 5m Australians receive an increase in their social security payments thanks to indexation. Those receiving Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment will receive an increase of $19.60 a fortnight for singles and $29.40 a fortnight for couples (combined). The maximum rate of pension will increase to $1,116.30 per […]
Aged care season and why we need to talk about it
Navigating parental care and when to step in: Rachel Lane’s expert tips to helping aging parents Some people call it the silly season, others call it the festive season, but I call this time of year aged care season. It’s a time when families come together, maybe for the first time since last Christmas, and notice […]
Understanding retirement village buyback schemes
Rachel Lane delves into retirement village buyback schemes. Learn how they work, their worth, the legislation behind them, and how they affect your financial decisions when leaving.
