Merchants’ card payment costs and surcharges are hurting seniors in their wallets and purses, especially as cash transactions dwindle. This could be set to change with two powerful statutory bodies setting inquiries into motion.
Fixed interest investment by the SMSF sector has been akin to oil and water, comprising a miniscule one per cent of the sector’s net assets. But a growing cohort of these investors are slowly finding the fees, flexibility and returns can make debt a compelling investment story.
In the past few months, shareholders have been receiving more attention from fraudsters who have been impersonating individuals via identity theft to steal their shares. Tragically, self-funded retirees are often vulnerable with many still reliant on snail mail.
APRA is looking at the big picture – the stability of the banking system. So, while its proposal to phase out hybrids might make sense from that perspective, it’s going to deprive many of an investment option that has delivered healthy income streams.
One of the most bitterly divisive US presidential elections in history has investors on edge. While it will ensure market volatility, long term it’s the economy that will dictate how markets perform.
No different to the bond market, commercial property prices rise as interest rates fall. With growing expectations that the Reserve Bank will cut rates, self-funded retirees need to consider now whether they want a slice of this asset class.
Lost super remains a flaw in the Australian superannuation system. So, for many retirees, it will be worth the effort to make the necessary checks to see there is some money in the regulator’s coffers with their name on it.
It was Crosby Stills Nash and Young who wrote that immortal 1970 tune, Teach Your Children. That’s exactly what Selfwealth’s Craig Keary is advocating to ensure the estimated $3.5 trillion wealth transfer to future generations over the next 25 years is not squandered.
While two reports highlight a fall in those seeking professional input into managing their financial affairs, the irony is that client trust in advisers has never been higher.
The Productivity Commission estimated $3.5 trillion will pass on to future generations over the next 25 years, with this report illustrating just how that’s playing out now in families across Australia.
