With many baby-boomers dreading the prospect of going into an old-folks home, house-sharing may look like the answer. Doug is almost 80 but in quite reasonable health. He can do a lot of things but his deceased wife used to run their home and he’s having issues handling everything. Hazel is in her early 60’s.... Read more continue reading
20
Aug
2020
The FASEA regulations have had an unsettling effect on the industry and much of the discussion to date has centred around disruption and educational and exam requirements. But now is the time to shift the focus to a more productive examination of implementation and what the standards mean for advice behaviour, delivery of client services... Read more continue reading
26
May
2020
Retirees are too often left struggling with their finances without the help and guidance they need, according to one of WA’s leading institutional investors. Chief Investment Officer Chris West says that for many Australians, retirement is a stressful period but that it doesn’t need to be that way. “Everybody deserves dignity in retirement. For many... Read more continue reading
11
Mar
2020
As our population gets older (and lives longer), the likelihood that an elderly parent will need to go into a nursing home is increasing. Usually this requires having to make a payment to the nursing home for the privilege of being accommodated there – either by way of a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (“RAD”) or for... Read more continue reading
09
Dec
2019
Advice businesses are undergoing transformation, and it is increasingly important for advisers to focus on meeting the strategic advice needs of clients. ASIC’s recent survey[1] on what Australians want financial advice on, offers insights on the real needs of clients and provides a guide for advisers to determine whether they are well prepared to meet... Read more continue reading
19
Sep
2019
Recent discussion in the media has suggested that the dollar amount needed for a comfortable retirement has been overstated. While it is true that many of us can get by in our retirement with less than the often-quoted recommendation of ‘at least a million dollars in super’, there are significant costs associated with ageing that... Read more continue reading
24
Jul
2019
Household Capital, an independent, specialist retirement funding provider, commended the federal government’s announcement that it will fund an additional ten thousand in-home care packages but warned that more needed to be urgently done to meet the needs of ageing Australians. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recently focused on aged care in... Read more continue reading
09
Apr
2019
For many people, going into aged care is not a choice but something that is forced onto them; however there are steps they and their families can take to help make sure they end up with the right care, says Melinda Measday, wealth management director at HLB Mann Judd Sydney. “Most Australians would choose not... Read more continue reading
10
Dec
2018
Much excitement was generated by the May Budget announcement to extend the Pension Loan Scheme (PLS). “This proposed to allow full pensioners, part pensioners and self-funded retirees greater opportunities to use the PLS to top-up income – important particularly for clients trying to fund aged care” explained Louise Biti, Director at Aged Care Steps. The... Read more continue reading
27
Aug
2018
Legislation is subject to constant change and new opportunities arise as a result. Even changes that are not directly related to aged care could create new strategy options for aged care. “Many clients moving into residential care may decide to sell their homes. The 1 July change to superannuation contribution rules provide an opportunity for... Read more continue reading
06
Jul
2018
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