A testamentary trust can be a useful tool when planning your estate, particularly for high net worth individuals, business owners or those with complex circumstances, such as step and blended family situations. A testamentary trust is written into your Will but isn’t activated until death. Upon death, a trust is typically created for each of […]
According to the most recent estimates, around 346,000 Australian-born people are living and working abroad in OECD countries. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that the number of people departing Australia permanently or for the long term has increased considerably over the last 20 years, and it is expected this trend will continue. Australian expats […]
Of all Australians, the proposals in this year’s budget will benefit lower income earners and families, social security recipients and the elderly most of all. For others, the exception being modest tax cuts for those earning $80,000 pa or less, there are few other changes to get excited about. As per usual, the government also […]
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) recently conducted a surveillance exercise in response to a single consumer complaint relating to use of the term ‘independent’. As a result, the ASIC found that 17 general insurance brokers, 3 financial planners and 1 life insurance broker were misleading consumers by claiming they offered independent advice. The […]
According to the Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index – a global ranking of all pension and retirement systems – Australia’s superannuation system ranked second internationally as at October 2011. This ranking was reflective of both investment performance and the effectiveness of each system for its members. Whilst this ranking is encouraging, the results are less […]
