Don’t risk a DIY Will!
The do-it-yourself trend and the internet have made writing your own will seem like an easy way to get your affairs in order. But it’s not as simple as it seems and there’s no substitute for proper advice from a qualified lawyer, no matter how straightforward you think your affairs are.
What appears to be a cost-effective solution can be financially and emotionally draining for those you leave behind should a home-made will go wrong, and there are plenty of examples of that happening. The legal dispute over the assets of car-racing identity Peter Brock springs to mind.
Read MoreWhat does retirement mean?
We thought this video summed up retirement from a kids perspective quite well. Click play and enjoy for some light relief.
Read More2013 Autumn eNews
Technology – You are never too old!
In this day and age we find most clients now have internet access and can regularly monitor their investment and superannuation portfolios.
We have clients in their 90’s, who use the computer to regularly communicate with others including their grandchildren.
From a business perspective, it has also made communication to our clients more efficient. In the past a client letter could be posted and take a week for them to receive a reply via the post. We now strive to achieve same day replies to client email communications.
We recently placed ‘iPads’ in our reception for client use and it was interesting to see a 75 year old lady, whilst waiting in reception, use our iPad to go online and get her bank balance prior to her appointment.
Times are changing rapidly and most seem to be embracing this. Jump on the bandwagon or give us a call to see if we can bring you on board.
Click here to read the 2013 Autumn Newsletter
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Are we in for another mid-year bout of weakness?
After a strong start to the year, share markets have had a few wobbles lately and defensive assets like bonds have rallied again. An obvious concern is that share markets will go down the same path as the last three years that saw the year start off solidly only to see sharp falls in either the June or September quarters led by flare ups in Europe, worries about US growth and fears about China.
From highs around April, global and Australian shares had falls of around 15% in mid 2010, around 20% in 2011 and by around 10% last year.
There are some parallels with the last three years – namely a strong start to the year for shares, followed by a loss of breadth in share market strength both across countries and within markets, renewed Eurozone worries, recent softer jobs data in the US and uncertainty about China.
So its natural to wonder whether markets will follow the same pattern again. And will it be more like 2010 and 2011 which proved to be tough years or 2012 where markets picked up strongly after a milder mid year correction resulting in a strong year?
Read MoreProposed super reforms
Reforms to Australia’s super system have been announced that will be considered by Parliament after the Federal election in September 2013. If legislated, the proposals will impact many super fund members before and after retiring. Below is an overview of the key proposals and how they could affect you. Increased concessional contribution cap Proposed date…
Read MoreA New Bull Market In Shares?
Oliver’s Insights presented by AMP Chief Economist, Shane Oliver.
Key Points of the article:
1. Shares are overbought and vulnerable to a correction. February is often a soft month and current risks regarding Italy, Spain, the US budget and earnings results in Australia may constrain markets in the very short term.
2. However, the pattern of rising highs and milder lows since late 2011, reasonable valuations, improving global economic news and easy monetary conditions suggests shares have likely entered a new cyclical bull market.
Read MoreRetirement’s New Face
We’re retiring for longer, wanting a more stimulating post-work lifestyle and finding smart ways to maximise our retirement finances.
For many, retirement is no longer about living simply off the age pension – or purely about slowing down, enjoying a few hobbies and spending time with the grandkids. More people are wanting a fuller retirement lifestyle with greater options and financial flexibility.
With Australians’ life expectancies now higher than ever, many are needing to plan for 20-plus or even 30-plus years of retirement
Read More2013 Summer Newsletter
Will the sharemarket resurgence continue?
Welcome to 2013 and all the joy your financial planning will bring this year! We hope it echoes the comments in our newsletter to start 2012: “It’s going to be a good year.” Such optimism was rewarded with good investment returns for our client portfolios over 2012.
We believe 2013 will see a continuation of the rising investment markets. You may like to read the full article by leading economist Dr Shane Oliver on our website. Some of the key points of the article follow:
- While 2012 had its share of worries, it turned out far better than feared and sharemarkets and growth assets were able to generate strong returns for investors. This was boosted by investors looking for higher yields in the face of zero or falling cash rates.
- The combination of diminishing extreme global downside-risks, a modest pick up in growth as the year progresses and attractive valuations for most growth assets point to another year of reasonable returns in 2013. Expect interest rates to remain low globally and fall a bit further in Australia.
- The main risks going forward relate to US budget and debt problems, a relapse in Europe, slow growth in Australia and a sharp back-up in bond yields if investors get more confident.
Click here to read the 2013 Summer Newsletter
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Dispelling The Super Interest Rate Myth
There’s a spurious argument doing the rounds that low interest rates hurt retirees. It is based some notion that it is a bad thing that the fall in deposit interest rates to around 4 to 4.5 per cent in the wake of the easing in monetary policy from the Reserve Bank lowers investment returns for savers.
This argument is scandalously wrong and seems to be a perpetuation of the snake oil from those wanting to peddle gloom and create erroneous perceptions of broadly-based economic hardship.
It pains me to spell out some very basic economics that I have spoken to year 12 economics students about this year, but here is why easy monetary policy based on low inflation and solid productivity gains is good news for investors.
Read MoreThe Top 5 Money Issues Facing Retirees
You’ve retired. Now what?
It’s likely that your retirement will be very different to that of your parents.
These days when you retire, it’s likely you’ll continue to do part time or volunteer work. And may even go back to university. To keep enjoying an active retirement it’s important to keep reviewing the plan you had before you stopped full time work.
You’ll need to keep making choices about your income and investments, government benefits, your super, tax and estate planning. A financial adviser can be a guide for your journey – and help you manage through retirement.
The top five money issues on minds of retirees.
Find out the top 5 money issues facing retirees.
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