What is the pension transfer balance cap and how does it operate?  

From

In late September, the government released the second tranche of proposed superannuation changes, which covers the pension transfer balance cap, concessional contribution changes, catch up concessional contributions and the removal... Read more continue reading

Property still hot for investors with growing number of Australians owning investment homes

From

According to ING DIRECT’s latest Financial Wellbeing Index, property still holds strong appeal for investors with one in every five (20%) Australians saying they own an investment property. Despite tightened... Read more continue reading

International equity investing slows in lead up to US election  

From

During the past month Australian investors are preferring to invest in Australian equity ETPs and defensive asset classes such as cash, fixed income and gold over international equity ETPs. Total... Read more continue reading

Zurich and Oxford University uncover the Australian ‘IP Gap’

From

Us Aussies are an optimistic bunch, however there’s a big difference between having a relaxed outlook and leaving the important things to chance. Unfortunately this overconfident, ‘bulletproof’ Australian mentality –... Read more continue reading

Passive RBA and US uncertainty increases risk for retirees

From

With the prospect of a Donald Trump win in the US elections, and a passive Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) continuing to hold interest rates at an all time low,... Read more continue reading

Australian employees more concerned about mental health than employers think

From

A workplace study by leading life insurer MetLife has found significant differences in the priorities of Australian employees and employers when it comes to workplace health and wellness. MetLife’s Employee... Read more continue reading

SMSF trustees turn to hybrids as an alternative source of income

From

With interest rates at an all-time low, SMSF trustees  looking for income returns have increased investment in hybrid securities, according to the latest SuperConcepts SMSF Investment Patterns Survey. In the... Read more continue reading

Is superannuation a part of your clients’ estate plans?

From

According to IOOF, superannuation can be an overlooked part of estate planning. However where competing beneficiaries have a claim to a deceased member’s death benefits, a well-documented estate plan can... Read more continue reading

The rise and rise of Exchange Traded Products

From

Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) have proliferated in the Australian (and global markets). They became more prevalent in the Australian market following the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and today have more... Read more continue reading

Inside the tiger’s den

From

In our last Global Matters paper, Young tiger stalks ageing dragon, we compared the current position and prospects of the world’s two most populous nations: China and India. We concluded... Read more continue reading