For self-funded retirees looking for portfolio diversification offshore, the US, led by the Mag 7, seemed the obvious destination. That option is losing its allure as a Trump presidency fuels fears of higher inflation and an economic slowdown. Perhaps it’s time to look elsewhere.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has given a fair impression of Santa Clause with older Australians certainly beneficiaries of his largesse via an $150 energy subsidy, expanded GP bulk billing and cheaper medicines.
The incoming government is being urged to implement a Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule. By not acting, more seniors are being admitted to hospital with oral health issues at a mounting cost to the taxpayer.
Self-funded retirees are right to diversify overseas. What they must remember it’s not just a US story focussed on the Mag 7.
People of all ages are more than willing to speak about fraudulent behaviour with their families to build awareness about this nefarious activity – except when they are the victim.
The government and ASIC are demanding banks and financial service providers strengthen their scam and fraud defences. With this nefarious activity costing Australians $318 million in the past 15 months alone, the industry’s positive response has not come quickly enough.
Three adviser firms are telling their clients to trust their portfolio structures to ride out the current market volatility largely sparked by a looming trade war.
The government’s decision to invest $20 million to assist with funding for locally made IV fluids should be a blueprint for a similar approach to pain killers.
While the headline number was a 3.73 per cent increase, what it concealed was that four of the big five funds had higher increases. Now National Seniors Australia wants to make private health insurance an election issue.
Homeowners with hefty mortgages and the government might have been all smiles after 25 basis points were shaved off the cash rate last week, but it came as a body blow to self-funded retirees wedded to term deposits.
