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Investment Bonds; Like super – but simpler
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on every area of our lives. For many of us, it can feel like our lives have been turned upside down and …
Market Commentary June 2020
Growth asset returns were mixed in June with divergence between small cap and large cap stocks, hedged and unhedged equities and Australian listed property versus Australian large cap stocks. However, …
Between panic and the ‘fear of missing out’: what to do
The coronavirus pandemic has caused a global health crisis and a deep slump in economic activity around the world. Job numbers are falling rapidly and unemployment is surging. Investment markets …
Government’s COVID-19 economic stimulus package for individuals and households
Special edition The Australian Government has legislated measures aimed at helping support households and businesses with the significant economic consequences of COVID-19. These measures are summarised below. For more information, …
Salary sacrifice integrity measures
There has been an important change to the amount of Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contribution an employer is obligated to make on behalf of an employee who salary sacrifices part of …
How to reduce financial stress
By: Australian Unity Financial stress. We all face varying degrees at some point in our lives. Whether we like it or not, a lot of our life goals revolve around …
Choosing the wrong Executor can cause big problems for your Estate. Here’s how to avoid common mistakes:
Being an executor of an estate is an enormously important role with a huge impact on the lives of those named in a Will, and it is vital the right …
Are we looking at a sharemarket melt-up?
In four months of late 2018, US shares fell by 20 per cent, and dragged down other sharemarkets. That period of turmoil was often called a sharemarket meltdown, and dire …
What are the limits on superannuation contributions in the 2018/19 financial year?
Superannuation rules in effect for the 2018/19 financial year continue to limit the amount of money Australians can contribute to the tax advantaged superannuation system. So, how much can you …
How to profit from demographics
By Fidelity International Demographic trends promise something priceless. By observing the changing structure of a population’s age and income, patient investors who accurately forecast these slow-moving trends can benefit clients …
How much power does an Enduring Power of Attorney have?
By Anna Hacker, Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager, Estate Planning, Australian Unity Trustees Legal Services When people consider estate planning they often only think about what happens …
The top 10 estate planning mistakes
By Anna Hacker – Australian Unity Trustees Legal Services, Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager, Estate Planning. People often think they have a very clear idea of what …
Investment Update Webinar September 2018
How should recent and current geopolitical issues affect your investment decisions? Find out here: https://bit.ly/2oMZcSz
Aged 65+ and downsizing? A new rule could save you tax.
From 1 July 2018, people aged 65 and over will be able to sell their main residence and then make a ‘downsizer’ contribution into superannuation of up to $300,000 from …
Is modern ‘ethical investing’ just a luxury for the wealthy, or a robust strategy worthy of consideration by all investors?
By Aela Cozic – ESG Analyst, Fidelity International Previously known as responsible or ethical investing, ESG investing now seems all the rage, but what does this focus on Environmental, Social …
Why your social media accounts should not be ignored when you make your Will
By Anna Hacker (AUT Legal Services Pty Ltd), Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager, Estate Planning, Australian Unity Trustees Ltd. Social media accounts live on after their creators …
Australian sharemarket still on the rise
By Tim Schroeders, Investment Research Department – Australian Unity Personal Financial Services The Australian sharemarket finished the 2017/18 financial year with a solid gain of 13%. A favourable global macro-economic …
Warning for SMSF trustees: New superannuation pension cap of $1.6m now in place
The maximum amount of superannuation that can be used to fund a tax-free pension in retirement is now restricted to a cap of $1.6 million per member. For example, say …
Australians at higher risk this year of being penalised for exceeding superannuation contribution limits
Changes to the superannuation rules in effect for the 2017/18 financial year are designed to further limit the amount of money Australians can contribute to the tax advantaged superannuation system. …
Same sex marriage and the attendant implications for estate planning
By Anna Hacker, Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager, Estate Planning, Australian Unity Trustees Legal Services. The recent passing of the Same Sex Marriage Bill by Parliament is …
What is the risk/return profile of your portfolio?
When assessing the performance of your investment portfolio, one should look at both risk and return. In this Fact Sheet, we outline what our study of 38 years of financial …
How to navigate the common estate planning pitfalls
By Anna Hacker – (AUT Legal Services Pty Ltd), Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager, Estate Planning, Australian Unity Trustees Ltd. People often think they have a very …
How people who have lost capacity can make and update their Will
By Anna Hacker (AUT Legal Services Pty Ltd), Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager, Estate Planning, Australian Unity Trustees Ltd. While many people would assume that once a …
Investor bias: The eye only sees what the mind is prepared to comprehend
By Tom Stevenson, Investment Director, Fidelity Australia Perhaps the most unhelpful of the psychological flaws we are prone to as investors is ‘confirmation bias’. Our desire to seek out information …
Global sharemarkets buoyed by economic growth, while Australian residential property facing strong headwinds
By Jeff Mitchell, Head of Investment Research, Australian Unity Personal Financial Services The first three quarters of 2017 have been characterised by robust economic growth in major economies, continued geopolitical …
Small business owners: would your business stay afloat if you had extended time off work?
Imagine if you were in the unfortunate situation where you had to take many months or longer away from your business due to a serious illness or injury. Would revenue …
Investment Update Webinar September 2017
Where to now for global sharemarkets given we are 10 years on from the GFC and investors are still nervous? You can view the webinar (you need sound) by clicking …
Need a tax advantaged vehicle other than superannuation? An investment bond could be an option.
Superannuation is the most tax effective way to save for retirement. However, new superannuation rules limit the amount of money Australians can contribute to superannuation, and the amount you can …
How having no will, or an invalid will, can cause unintended problems for your loved ones
By Anna Hacker BA (Hons)/LLB (Hons), Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager – Estate Planning, AUT Legal Services (part of the Australian Unity Group) A commonly held myth …
Are interest rates unnaturally low? Or are they where they should be?
By Tim Farrelly – CEO of Farrelly’s, and asset allocation consultant to Australian Unity Personal Financial Services We hear the claim that interest rates have been kept unnaturally low by …
How you could save hundreds of dollars a year on your life insurance
Most families are carrying significant financial risk should the unexpected happen. The big question you have to ask yourself is: ‘Would your family be able to maintain their lifestyle if …
The end of the residential property boom?
By Tim Farrelly – CEO of Farrelly’s, and asset allocation consultant to Australian Unity Personal Financial Services “If returns came out of history books, then librarians would be the richest …
How a tiny 0.68% p.a. may save you an incredible $90,634 on your mortgage
Here’s an example of why it may pay to find a lower interest rate on your home loan. For the sake of this example, let’s assume that the rate offered …
What changes do you need to make to ensure you are not unnecessarily disadvantaged by the new superannuation rules?
The recent changes to the superannuation rules are designed to further limit the amount of money Australians can keep in the tax advantaged superannuation system. So, where does that leave …
The 4 reasons why basic Will kits probably won’t deliver the estate planning outcomes you require
By Anna Hacker BA (Hons)/LLB (Hons), Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager – Estate Planning, AUT Legal Services (part of the Australian Unity Group) Many Australians have purchased …
How much money are you placing at risk by not insuring your ability to earn an income?
Not many people risk being uninsured when it comes to their car or home. But many choose to not insure their most valuable asset – that is, their ability to …
Is it an honour to be named an executor… or is it a burden with significant risk?
By Emma Sakellaris, General Manager – Australian Unity Trustees An executor is appointed within your will and is responsible for managing your estate and distributing assets according to your wishes. …
China, the Rest of the West and Viewing the World through New Lenses
By Jonathan Wu – Executive Director / Chief Investment Specialist, Premium China Funds Management* (Reproduced with permission) With 2017 now in full swing, we have suddenly been plunged into a …
How charitable giving can make you feel good about doing good
By Anna HackerBA (Hons)/LLB (Hons), Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates, National Manager – Estate Planning, AUT Legal Services (part of the Australian Unity Group) Many people have discovered there …
What are the limits on superannuation contributions in the 2016/17 financial year?
In the 2016 Federal Budget, the government proposed a number of changes to the superannuation rules, some of which were to apply from Budget night (i.e. 3 May 2016). Since …
What could your home be worth in 3 years? Find out in this special report from QBE
QBE Australia is proud to present the Australian Housing Outlook 2016 – 2019 This report into Australia’s residential property landscape analyses and forecasts the key drivers influencing the national, state …
Why are people tempted to follow the herd? And why can that be a mistake when it comes to investing?
By Fidelity International (reproduced with permission) Social proof is when people follow the actions of others in an attempt to reflect the “correct” behaviour for a given situation. This urge …
Has it really been 26 years without a recession in Australia? Or is it only two?
By Tim Farrelly, Principal – Farrelly’s Investment Strategy (reproduced with permission) How long is it since Australia had a recession? Most would say 26 years. That’s close to a world …
Research shows that Australian families have only 38% of the cover they need
If something unexpected happened and you could no longer financially support your family, it would be comforting to know that your life insurance would provide for you. But recent research …
How companies make the leap from good to great
In the Formula One car race recently held in Melbourne the difference between first and fifth place was 59 seconds. Being good enabled the fifth-placed driver to participate in the …
What is Investment Risk?
All investments have some form of risk associated with them i.e. they all expose you to the chance you could lose money (either notionally or permanently). In this Fact Sheet …
Financial Insights – Super inheritances: The lump sum versus pension conundrum
Let’s look at the case of Richie and his wife Sue. Richie is a member of a superannuation fund which also has life insurance. At the age of 60, Richie …
How do shares generate a growing income stream – as well as capital growth?
Quality shares (and managed share funds) are expected to generate higher returns than most other asset classes over the long term. The return from quality shares comprises a growing income …
Do you need to protect your assets after you die?
Quick quiz Are you concerned that: Your beneficiaries may not have the ability to manage or protect the wealth you have accumulated after you die – for example, they might …
What do world-class companies do better than their competitors?
Company management, if they have a worthwhile ambition, it’s this one: to turn their businesses into worldclass operations. The reality is that few companies attain world-class status. Foreign companies that …