federal budget

Financial planning

Government moves to include untaxed super in Seniors Health Card assessment while abolishing Seniors Supplement from 1 July....

Financial planning

Temporary Budget Repair Levy hits high income earners

The Government has, as expected, introduced a three-year levy on Australians earning over $180,000 while closing off FBT loopholes....

Superannuation

Budget confirms excess contributions treatment

Budget delivers on allowing withdrawal of excess contributions without penalty....

Superannuation

Disappointment at SG extension

AIST disappointed that the superannuation guarantee rise will be delayed a further 12 months....

Financial planning

Planning may be hit by Budget user-pays

A Budget user-pays approach to financial services regulation could hit licensee and other planning costs....

Superannuation

Retirees’ cost of living rises

Saving for retirement has become all the more pertinent as expenditure for couples looking for a ‘comfortable’ retirement rose by 0.3 per cent to $57,817 a year in the Ma...

Policy & Regulation

Banks’ next results rest on regulatory outcomes

The performance of the big four banks in the next half year will be intrinsically linked to the outcome of regulatory reforms in the financial services sector, according ...

Editorial

Good and bad in lifting pension age

While many Australians will resent a Federal Budget which includes a lifting of the pension age to 70, such a move is likely to generate plenty of business and new produc...

Financial planning

Pre-Budget speculation harbouring uncertainty: accountant

Speculation surrounding Federal Budget changes to super is fostering uncertainty among pre-retirees and discouraging them from saving, an accountant believes. ...

Financial planning

Privatise disability insurance, says FSC

Private health model for disability insurance could save government $8.5 billion, says the FSC....

Financial planning

Year-end tax strategies - avoiding unpleasant surprises

No-one likes a surprise when wrestling with tax and superannuation, and financial planners heading towards the end of financial year seem primed on what is about to chang...

Superannuation

It’s time to talk about the future of superannuation

With eight years having passed since the ‘Simpler Super’ review, it could be time to reopen a dialogue about the future of super, Bryan Ashenden writes....

Editorial

Outflanked in FOFA PR battle

Mike Taylor writes that planners and the Government need to reflect upon how they were once again outflanked by the industry funds in the battle for the hearts and minds ...