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Under the gifting rules, an individual or couple can legitimately reduce their assets by a maximum of $10,000 each financial year with a maximum of $30,000 over a rolling five-year period. 

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumGive cash away ... then get it BACK as a bigger pension

Asset-tested pensioners can use the next 24 hours to boost their pension by up to $60 a fortnight — for life. Here’s how it works, and what you need to do ...

Nick Bruining

The start of a new financial year will usher in a raft of tax and superannuation changes, with almost every Australian affected one way or another. Here’s what changes from midnight.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumJuly 1 changes to tax, super that affect you and your family

The start of a new financial year will usher in a raft of tax and superannuation changes, with almost every Australian affected one way or another. Here’s what changes from midnight.

Nick Bruining

A couple on a full age pension can sell their home for $1.2m, bank $48,000 a year in interest, AND get $400 a month in rental assistance.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumHere’s just how crazy the Centrelink system really is

Q+A: The quirks of the Centrelink system can be summed up here. A couple on a full age pension can sell their home for $1.2m, bank $48,000 a year in interest, AND get $400 a month in rental assistance.

Nick Bruining

Got an inheritance coming your way but worried it will affect your Centrelink age pension? Here are the hints and tips you need to beat the system ... and also boost your superannuation.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumHacks you need to bank an inheritance and keep the pension

Q+A: Got an inheritance coming your way but worried it will affect your Centrelink age pension? Here are the hints and tips you need to beat the system ... and also boost your superannuation.

Nick Bruining

Worried part-pensioners are still waiting to hear if and when deeming rates on their investments, which are used to calculate Centrelink benefits, will be thawed from their five-year freeze.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumNo news on deeming rates good news for pensioners — for now

Worried part-pensioners are still waiting to hear if and when deeming rates on their investments, which are used to calculate Centrelink benefits, will be thawed from their five-year freeze.

Nick Bruining

The changes also mean getting access to the highly sought-after Pension Concession Card, which could be worth up to $7000 in savings for some households.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumChanges coming to Centrelink means-test thresholds on July 1

Increased Centrelink means-test thresholds have been released, and thousands of seniors will now be entitled to government benefits for the first time.

Nick Bruining

Building a $50,000 deposit by such a young age is commendable, but there are some tough obstacles to clear if this savvy saver wants to buy an investment property. Try this instead ...

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumYour 19yo has saved $50k? Here’s what to do with it next

Q+A: Building a $50,000 deposit by such a young age is commendable, but there are a number of tough obstacles to clear if this savvy saver wants to buy an investment property. Try this instead ...

Nick Bruining

Tax and super? It’s a mess! Here’s how to know which parts of your superannuation are safe from the taxman and when you might be hit with a bill, depending on when you access your nest egg.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumA quick-fire guide to how your super savings are taxed

Q+A: Tax and super? It’s a mess! Here’s how to know which parts of your superannuation are safe from the taxman and when you might be hit with a bill, depending on when you access your nest egg.

Nick Bruining

The DSP is paid to those who are unable to work because of a disability. The disability needs to prevent them for doing at least 15 hours a week as a result of a condition that is likely to last longer than two years.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumWhich is better: Disability support or the full age pension?

It’s the question most often asked by those 126,000 Australians on a disability support pension about to reach retirement: ‘Am I better off changing over to the age pension?’ We have the answer.

Nick Bruining

Taking time out of work to care for elderly parents can cause financial pain. But you may be eligible for one of two Centrelink payments, Here’s how much you could receive and how to apply ...

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumCaring for Mum or Dad? These Centrelink payments can help

Q+A: Taking time out of work to care for elderly parents can cause financial pain. But you may be eligible for one of two Centrelink payments. Here’s how much you could receive and how to apply ...

Nick Bruining

A special five-year window to wind up “complying income streams” in SMSFs and public offer schemes is set to end on December 7, 2029.

Personal FinanceCommentsPremiumGet out of SMSF jail card lets you dodge tax penalties

Thousands of older self-managed superannuation funds are likely to be closed down following a significant let-off on potential Centrelink debts and tax liabilities. Are you eligible?

Nick Bruining

MyGov is the Federal Government’s online access way, or “portal”, to most government services.

Online GatewayCommentsPremiumWhy setting up a MyGov portal is easier than you think

For those that haven’t yet set up a MyGov access account, an amazing world of useful information and government services awaits you. 

Nick Bruining

Neither of the two major political parties have stated that the freeze will be extended beyond June 30. 

Nick Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumDeeming rate changes will cut pension for many retirees

Q+A: With major parties silent on what will happen to Centrelink deeming rates once the extended freeze ends on June 30, thousands of retirees fear they could lose their entire part-pension.

Nick Bruining

Here’s why you might elect to defer the start of an account-based pension until after July 1.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumWhy it might be wise waiting to convert super to pension

Q+A: ‘I plan to convert my super into an account-based pension and live off that after retirement.’ Here’s why you might elect to defer the start of the ABP until after July 1.

Nick Bruining

Portrait of a creative, colorful senior woman against a pink background.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumBudget tax cuts bring big income, super changes for seniors

While last week’s Federal Budget contained few surprises, the unexpected tax cuts are likely to have a significant impact on seniors and those making heavy use of superannuation in the lead-up to retirement. 

Nick Bruining

Almost 500,000 part-pensioners are in limbo as confusion surrounds reports that an extension to the freeze on Centrelink deeming rates may have been revealed in last week’s Federal Budget. Spoiler: It wasn’t.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumLabor leaves 460,000 pensioners in deeming rates limbo

Almost 500,000 part-pensioners are in limbo as confusion surrounds reports that an extension to the freeze on Centrelink deeming rates may have been revealed in last week’s Federal Budget. Spoiler: It wasn’t.

Nick Bruining

While the current share market turmoil can make some people with low superannuation balances nervous, there’s a few options, other than leaving it languishing in cash, to grow your savings.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumWhy leaving your super in cash doesn’t make sense

Q+A: While the current share market turmoil can make those with low superannuation balances nervous, there’s a few options other than leaving it languishing in cash to grow your savings.

Nick Bruining

The drop in share values could mean good news for pensions.

Silver Lining CommentsPremiumHow crumbling markets can actually boost your age pension

Seniors in receipt of a means-tested Centrelink benefit could be in a position to boost their pensions on the back of the recent market turmoil. All it takes is one quick update. Here’s how to do it ...

Nick Bruining

A quirk of the Centrelink system means you can keep a big lump sum inheritance without negatively impacting your part-pension.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumWant to keep your part-pension? Buy yourself a fancier home!

Q+A: A part-pension can be a big help in meeting everyday costs. But when you inherit a massive lump sum, will you keep it? A quirk of the Centrelink system means you can ... and move into much fancier digs.

Nick Bruining

The quarterly age pension adjustments have been announced and, thanks to inflation, all pensioners will get an income boost.

opinion
opinion
Noel WhittakerCommentsPremium
opinion
The solution to confusing retirement traps

The quarterly age pension adjustments have been announced and, thanks to inflation, all pensioners will get an income boost.

Noel Whittaker

We all worry if we’ll be able to afford a comfortable retirement. The latest figures show prices easing for retirees, and have put a figure on how much you’ll need a year to live well after you give up work.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumA comfy retirement will now cost you this much a year

We all worry if we’ll be able to afford a comfortable retirement. The latest figures show prices easing for retirees, and have put a figure on how much you’ll need a year to live well after you give up work.

Daniel Newell

Here’s the new numbers you need to know to qualify for a part pension. Remember, even if you only just scrape in a single is still guaranteed at least $59.10 a fortnight. For couples it’s even better.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumNew numbers you need to know to get a part pension

Here’s the new numbers you need to know to qualify for a part pension. Remember, even if you only just scrape in a single is still guaranteed at least $59.10 a fortnight. For couples it’s even better.

Nick Bruining

Selling the family home to downsize into small digs can deliver a mega profit. But what does all that extra cash do to your pension benefits. Can you minimise the amount you may lose? Yes, you can!

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumHow to bank big profits for home sale AND keep your pension

Q+A: Selling the family home to downsize into small digs can deliver a mega profit. But what does all that extra cash do to your pension benefits. Can you minimise the amount you may lose? Yes, you can!

Nick Bruining

An eligible couple could collect almost $47,000 a year for life, freeing up their Australian superannuation savings for fun stuff instead of generating a retirement income. Here’s how to get money for jam!

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumBig change in rules to get yourself a $470-a-week UK pension

An eligible couple could collect almost $47,000 a year for life, freeing up their Australian superannuation savings for fun stuff instead of generating a retirement income. Here’s how to get money for jam!

Nick Bruining