By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 1 2016 Key points: Financial markets have started the year on a rough note as last year’s worries about China and global growth in the face of US monetary tightening continue. This could drive more short term weakness. However, in the absence of US/global... Read more
The amount of Age Pension you are entitled to is determined by applying an income test and an assets test. It is the lower result of the two tests which determines the amount, if any, of Age Pension that you will recieve. If you have an account-based pension it will be included in the income test for the Age Pension,... Read more
Under ordinary circumstances the sale of a property that you purchased after 20 September 1985 would attract Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Any gain made on the sale is included in your assessable income in that financial year. The gain from the sale of a CGT asset can be reduced by 50% when you have held the asset for more than... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 41 2015 Key points: 2015 has been a messy year for investors as worries about China, emerging countries and the Fed caused volatility and uneven returns across asset classes. Australian shares continued to underperform. 2016 is likely to see continued okay but uneven global... Read more
There is some speculation that the Turnbull government will consider some tax reform for superannuation. Whilst we wait to see what super changes actually occur in the coming months or years, it is important to remain confident in the tax advantages of investing your wealth in the superannuation environment. Helping our clients plan for the future every day, we are... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 40 2015 Key points: Worries about the Fed’s first interest rate hike, which is now likely to be in December, may cause more volatility in share markets in the near term. However, there are several reasons not to be too concerned about the Fed:... Read more
When you have found the right property and need a deposit to secure the purchase, a deposit guarantee may assist buyers whose funds are currently tied up. A deposit guarantee is a substitute for the cash deposit. The deposit guarantee is issued by a guarantor, for a fee based on its value and duration of cover. At the time of... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 39 2015 Key points: The more we are exposed to information about how our investments are performing, the greater the risk that we will be disappointed and at risk of making poor short term investment decisions. The greater access to information around short term... Read more
Retirement villages can provide an appealing self-contained environment, physically and socially geared to the needs of retired people. It has been said that ‘retirement villages are not a financial investment, but rather an investment in a lifestyle’. There are certainly costs of a retirement village lifestyle and it is vital to be fully informed. Retirement village contracts are diverse, with... Read more
For those individuals earning more than $180,001 p.a. you will see your tax rate reported as 45%. However in reality this rate is incomplete. Once you have added in the 2% Temporary Budget Repair Levy and the 2% Medicare Levy your real tax rate becomes 49%. Further, for individuals in this highest tax bracket without adequate Private Health Insurance, your... Read more