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You've worked hard to build your retirement nest egg and now the time has come or is approaching for you to begin the "decumulation phase" — taking withdrawals in retirement to live off your accumulated assets. This can be a very exciting time in your life where you...

It’s hard to see the good in COVID-19. One of the few upsides is that you may be able to claim some tax back for the expenses incurred from running your make-shift home office. With lockdowns forcing many more people to work from home, the ATO has introduced a new...

Australia’s thriving property market has recovered so swiftly since the brief pandemic-induced recession of 2020, that authorities have stepped in to pull the reigns on runaway real estate prices.  Nationally, dwelling values are up 20.3% higher over the past 12...

If you’re nearing retirement, you may be able to reduce your work hours but retain the same income. Through a transition to retirement (TTR) pension you can choose to work less, or continue working the same hours while making your own contributions into super. In both...

When it comes to super, the accepted wisdom is that performance is the most important consideration. That means we often ignore another critical part of our superannuation. Most super funds include life insurance along with total and permanent disability (TPD)...

Australia's aged care system is incredibly complex, and making the wrong decisions can have a high cost, both financially and emotionally. Being aware of the common traps to avoid can help your family save time, money and stress. Mistake 1: Making aged care decisions...

Retiring early is a dream that many people hope to someday achieve, and with the right plan in place, it is possible to reach it. But the path to retiring early isn't easy. It takes time and an incredible amount of discipline to earn, save, and invest as much as you...

Written by Tony Kaye, Senior Personal Finance Writer After months in lockdowns and living under tight restrictions, many Australians have gone on a “revenge spending” spree. Revenge spending is the term widely being used to describe how some people are taking out...

You'll have heard the old, almost grandmotherly adage that 'every dollar counts'. But guess what - it's true. Voluntary after tax super contributions (also called non-concessional contributions), refer to any payments you make to your super fund out of your take-home...

By Alexandra Cain This content is produced by the Good Weekend in commercial partnership with MLC. Superannuation strategies differ depending on age and circumstances. Take an individual approach to secure a solid retirement balance, as guided by these industry...

Lenders use your credit score (or credit rating) to decide whether to give you credit or lend you money. Knowing this can help you negotiate better deals, or understand why a lender rejected you. Your credit score is based on personal and financial information about...

Unsure about whether to lock down your interest rate for a period with a fixed rate home loan, or take your chances with a variable rate home loan?  It’s a decision everyone faces – from first-home buyers right through to investors - at various points in a loan’s...