The new-look Pension Loan Scheme

Posted on June 7, 2018June 7, 2018 by Allan Hanson

One of the interesting things coming out of the Budget was the extension to the Pension Loan Scheme (PLS).

Fortunately, my clients have significant superannuation and private savings and do not require or have the inclination to utilise the new pension loan scheme which would involve them accessing the equity in their home to increase their income.

However, for a lot of retirees the balance in the superannuation or private savings may not be large and most of their wealth is tied up in the family home.

At this point the Government will typically provide a means tested age pension.Continue reading→

Top 10 items of interest from the May 2018 Budget

Posted on May 9, 2018May 9, 2018 by Allan Hanson

The Federal Treasurer, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, delivered his third Federal Budget on 8 May 2018. This is the last budget that will be delivered before the next Federal election.

There are some positive big picture items, good news for small business and lots of good news for retirees and those in Aged Care.Continue reading→

How do you trust Financial Advice in the post Banking Royal Commission era?

Posted on May 8, 2018May 8, 2018 by Allan Hanson

The ‘Banking Royal Commission’ is certainly hitting the headlines. Round two of public hearings over recent weeks focused on financial advice and claimed a few scalps at AMP with the CEO and Chair leaving.

Not many are weathering the storm of the Royal Commission well, neither the Banks, Financial Planners, Dealer groups, Financial Planning Association nor even the corporate regulator, ASIC, are without damage.Continue reading→

How can I avoid getting caught in speculative bubbles?

Posted on January 23, 2018January 23, 2018 by Allan Hanson

Why is it that many investors get caught up in the hype of making a quick fortune and instead experience poor or mediocre results?

The financial world is littered with examples of speculative bubbles. This is often when common sense goes out the window and people get caught in the lure of making easy money. And it doesn’t seem to matter that these bubbles and the disasters that can follow are well documented.

Continue reading→

Can Money buy Happiness?

Posted on November 25, 2017January 23, 2018 by Allan Hanson

It is said that money can’t buy you happiness but as with all simple question or statements it depends on a lot of variables.

Once you have satisfied your basic needs food, clothing, shelter having more money doesn’t necessarily buy you happiness. One study famously found that people who had big wins on the lottery ended up no happier than those who had bought tickets but didn’t win. One way of accounting for this is to assume that lottery winners get used to their new level of wealth, and simply adjust back to a baseline level of happiness, something called the “hedonic treadmill”.Continue reading→

Six Reasons to Invest

Posted on November 1, 2017January 23, 2018 by Allan Hanson

We all know saving money for the future is a good idea but saving is just the first step towards future financial planning. Investing to grow your savings or indeed to create savings for the future is the ideal method to achieve future financial prosperity. Here are our top six reasons to invest:

Continue reading→