The role of the Centrelink PLS in addressing Australia’s retirement funding challenge

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Australia’s retirement income policy has been traditionally framed as having three pillars: superannuation, non-superannuation savings and the Age Pension. However, for many Australian baby boomers these three pillars provide inadequate... Read more continue reading

Rising SMSF establishment balances ‘strong evidence’ advice improving

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There has been a sharp increase in the average and medium establishment balances for self-managed super funds (SMSFs) – clear evidence that the quality of advice to the SMSF sector... Read more continue reading

The hidden cost of retirement

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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... Read more continue reading

ASIC proposes to ban unsolicited telephone sales of life insurance and consumer credit insurance

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ASIC is inviting feedback on its proposal to ban unsolicited telephone sales of direct life insurance and consumer credit insurance (CCI). Such a ban would prevent the sale of complex... Read more continue reading

Where profits come from, and the vulnerabilities in Australian corporate earnings

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Key points Equity investors rejoiced in June as the Fed signaled it may cut interest rates – but interest rates do not drive long run equity performance. Profits do. While... Read more continue reading

SMSF establishment at a 10 year low while unmet advice needs continue to grow

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The annual rate of Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) establishment has slowed, with just over 20,000 SMSFs being set up in the first quarter of 2019, down from the 40,000 established... Read more continue reading

Can grandparents protect their grandkids’ inheritance?

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If their kids don’t get on with one of the grandkids maybe the grandparents should act to protect that grandchild’s inheritance. Being an estate planning lawyer means very often having... Read more continue reading

Estate planning and insurance

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Improving the financial outlook for the family is the key driver for most Australians, yet many fail to fortify that legacy through sound estate planning and adequate insurance. In this... Read more continue reading

A conservative government, falling interest rates, and new APRA lending guidelines; what now for residential property?

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The RBA recently cut its official interest rate by 25 basis points to a record low of 1.25%. Along with the recent win by the conservative government (that campaigned on... Read more continue reading

Strong returns for Australian investors in responsible & ethical funds

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Responsible investment funds are continuing to outperform most mainstream Australian and international funds, according to the latest Benchmark Report issued by the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA). With data... Read more continue reading