government

Financial planning

Planner concern at higher regulatory costs

The FPA is concerned that Budget cuts impacting ASIC may, in turn, impact planners in higher costs....

Financial planning

Measures in the Abbott Government’s inaugural budget have divided financial planning groups, prompting both praise and condemnation. ...

Financial planning

ASIC hit by funding cut

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has been told by the Government to “adjust its priorities” to achieve savings of $120.1 million over five year...

Superannuation

Budget closes defined benefit military super

Government changes generous defined benefit military super to accumulation arrangements....

Superannuation

Disappointment at SG extension

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

Superannuation

Employers in the dark on super reporting changes

Most employers are not up to speed on streamlined superannuation reporting, despite it being a little over a month away....

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

No provision made for communicating on defaults

The Department of Employment has acknowledged that no provision has been made for communicating default fund outcomes to employers....

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...

Funds management

Emerging market exposure cut

Ukraine turmoil and Chinese uncertainty prompt Nikko Asset Management to cut its stance on global equities from overweight to neutral. ...

Superannuation

Call for retirement income adequacy index

A roundtable has agreed that Australia needs a Government-sanctioned retirement incomes adequacy index and a shift from lump sums to income streams....

Policy & Regulation

Government levies could promote tax avoidance: accountant

Some of the Federal Government’s proposed new levies could foster tax avoidance by increasing perceived inequality, an accountant believes. ...

Editorial

Short-term stimulus policies creating long-term problems

Short-term stimulus policies, like low interest rates and excessive liquidity injections, can have severe, long-term consequences for the global economy, as Stanley Yeo e...

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. ...