As the saying goes where there’s a Will there’s a way! When it comes to leaving things for your family it needs to be a smart Will, otherwise, the tax man could end up being your largest beneficiary. “Family succession planning is a strategy to control the way your estate is passed onto your beneficiaries … Continued
Busting the top 5 myths about sorting your finances Wondering where all your money goes is common: no matter how much you earn, it seems like there’s never enough and it just seems to vanish. By putting your finances in the right place, you can get rid of that feeling, go further and achieve more. … Continued
Many investors know the attraction of negative gearing for property investment. And a number of years ago, super rule changes opened up the way for self-managed super funds (SMSFs) to access this powerful investment strategy. Matthew McCabe* from Judge Financial Planning commented on the surge in interest from many SMSF clients. “It’s not that surprising … Continued
The Turnbull Government is set to deliver the Federal Budget on Tuesday 9th May 2017, which will outline the economic and fiscal outlook for Australia. It will illustrate the Government’s social and political priorities, and how the Government intends to achieve these. Judge Accounting & Judge Financial Planning will be holding a briefing to support … Continued
With most things in life, the more you put in, the more you’re likely to get in return. So, if you could put more money into investing, imagine what the results could be. You might feel like you don’t have any more money to invest. But what about the potential lying dormant in the … Continued
Protect Your Business from the UnexpectedFrom one successful local business to another, Judge Financial Planning would like to inform you of the critical need to insure your business against life’s unexpected mishaps. After all, whether your business is your “pride and joy” or simply “a means to an end”, it’s your livelihood so it pays … Continued
SMSF Property Investment Rules You Must FollowSelf-managed super funds have become a popular way for Australians to build their retirement savings. In fact they’re now the fastest growing segment of the superannuation market, with over one million of us now counted as members of an SMSF.^ Those members collectively hold more than half a billion … Continued
Understanding Insurance Rules Within SMSFsSelf-managed super funds are now the fastest growing part of the superannuation market in Australia, with more than one million of us being members of an SMSF. SMSFs have become a popular way for Australians to build their retirement savings because they generally offer greater control and flexibility of your super … Continued
From 1 July 2017, a ‘transfer balance cap’ of $1.6 million will be introduced that limits the amount that can be held in the retirement (pension) phase of super. You currently exceed this limit so it’s important that we meet to discuss your options which may include transferring some of your pension money back to … Continued
On 1 July 2017, some rule changes come into effect that may impact your ‘transition to retirement’ (TTR) strategy. The tax rate payable on earnings from investments held in a TTR pension will increase from 0% to a maximum of 15%. Also, the annual cap on concessionally taxed super contributions will reduce to $25,000. It’s … Continued
On 1 July 2017, some rule changes will come into effect that may impact your retirement strategy and possibly the contributions you make into superannuation. The cap on concessional (pre-tax) super contributions will reduce from $30,000 pa or $35,000 pa (depending on age) to $25,000 pa. The cap on non-concessional (after-tax) super contributions will reduce … Continued
The changes to super and tax laws proposed in this year’s federal budget, then revised and adjusted by the government in September, have been passed through Parliament and are mostly due to take effect from July 1, 2017. That means that you have until July to consider if there is any action you should take … Continued
Markets Surprised by Dovish Tone Despite Rate HikeSome 15 months since it first raised interest rates in more than seven years, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) lifted rates for the third time at its March meeting by 25 basis points, raising rates to the 0.75%-1.0% range. Overall the tone of the post-meeting statement and press … Continued
Take Action: Review Your Super with a Judge AdviserTHE Turnbull Government is about to pocket a $220 million revenue windfall by seizing control of an estimated 100,000 super accounts. At the end of the month, super funds will have to transfer to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) “unclaimed” or “lost” super account balances of up … Continued
Keeping Up with Constant Superannuation Rule ChangesEvery year, it seems, they change the rules – the retirement age, the contributions cap, and so it goes on. We are analysing each of the newly legislated super changes, to ensure that you fully informed, understanding if you are affected and if so, how you are affected. The first … Continued
How to Stay Focused and Adjust Your Super StrategyEvery year, it seems, they change the rules – the retirement age, the contributions cap, and so it goes on. The most recent changes to superannuation include: Introduction of $1.6m cap on income streams with tax penalties if higher amounts are rolled over The division 293 income threshold … Continued
Why Retirees Still Need Professional Financial Advice?There is a tendency, once people retire, and have their lump sum invested or an annuity in place, to think that they won’t really need professional financial advice. What we can tell you from experience, is that the exact opposite is true. We find that we actually spend much … Continued
As another year draws to a close, we reflect on the events and changes we have seen and how life seems to pass by more quickly every year. For those of us approaching or in retirement, it’s a great time to take stock of your situation and make some decisive moves for a more secure … Continued
It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to relaxing with family and friends and perhaps getting away from it all. If you are going away you no doubt take care to lock the doors and windows, organise for mail and garbage bins to be checked and neighbours notified. But have you secured everything? There may … Continued
With the festive season here, you may look forward to enjoying what we can only hope will be a glorious summer of sunshine, friends, family, food and time in the great outdoors. If you are planning long lazy days to recharge your batteries in preparation for the new year, it might also be a good … Continued
At this time of the year, some of us are fortunate enough to be in ‘bonus’ discussions with our employer. If you are gearing up to receive a bonus this year, there is certainly no shortage of possibilities of what to do with it. Save or splurge? Christmas is just around the corner as is … Continued
The commencement of 2017 will see some significant changes to means testing for Social Security pensions (including the Age Pension). Uncertainty around income can be unsettling for those receiving a pension or considering retirement. That’s why it’s important to understand if and how you might be impacted by the new rules so that you can … Continued
For many people, the decision around when to retire can be one of the most exciting, yet daunting, times of their lives. There are a number of strategies you can employ now, whatever your age, that may help you fulfil your retirement dreams. When should I retire? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer, as the … Continued
After being first announced in the 2015 Federal Budget, there are some changes to the age pension that will come into effect on 1 January 2017. Here Matthew McCabe from Judge Financial Planning looks at what an increase or decrease in pension will mean, especially those that could have their pension entitlement removed completely. What … Continued