What level should my assessable assets total in order to be eligible for a Centr... [Article]
You will not be eligible for a Centrelink allowance if your assessable assets exceed the levels below. If you are part of a couple, your assets are considered on a joint basis: Figures a
- What is a loan-to-value (LVR) ratio? [Article]
A loan-to-value ratio (LVR) is an expression that compares the value of a portfolio with the level of debt that is associated with the portfolio. The LVR is measured by dividing the value of the deb
- What are the different asset classes? [Article]
There are 5 commonly available asset classes available to investors, including: cash, fixed interest, property, international shares and Australian shares. These are explained below:
- What is a margin call? [Article]
...r loan instrument. A margin call is a situation that arises when the loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of a portfolio r
- How much does advice cost? [Article]
.... For instance, advice on a simple matter such as changing investment options within your su
- What is debt recycling? [Article]
Debt recycling is the process of turning bad debt (otherwise known as non-deductible debt) into good debt (known as deductible debt). This process generally involves borrowing funds for invest
- If I have super will I also get the Age Pension? [Article]
This is a frequently asked question. You have paid tax on your income and feel justified in receiving the age pension when you retire.
As at 20 September 2011 the full age pension is $689 a
- What is a Term Certain or Lifetime annuity? [Article]
An annuity is simply an investment that gives you a regular payment over a specified term. The annuity term can be for your lifetime, or for a specified number of years. If, when you die, the amount p...
- How am I currently invested? [Article]
If you have never changed investment options within your superannuation account, you will be invested in the default option, which is the option for those members who have never exercised investment
- What can a Financial Planner do for me? [Article]
A Financial Planner can do more for you that simply provide you with investment recommendations. At Industry Fund Financial Planning, our Planners can provide you with a range of financial advice co
- What is the difference between good debt and bad debt? [Article]
... deduction for interest costs as the funds are being used to generate assessable income, such as an investment loan or an investment property loan
- How do I work out my risk profile? [Article]
Your investment risk profile will depend on your personal circumstances and will need to encompass the following:
Your financial objectives
Your investment time frame
- Why should I be concerned about super fees? [Article]
Fees affect your super in two ways:
They directly reduce the amount of super in your account.
They reduce future earnings on your super account.
- Should I borrow to put money into super? [Article]
Before you borrow any money from anyone you should carefully consider how much interest you will pay, whether you can afford to pay it and whether it is worth borrowing that amount of money at that
- How can I tell if my super is working for me? [Article]
Look at the statement you receive from your fund and you should be able to find an opening and closing balance in your account. There will be a difference between the two figures and that’s be
- What is the effect of compounding interest on my super contributions? [Article]
...ot just to the original amount invested, but also progressively to the interest or earnings on that investment.
So,
- How do I lodge a complaint about my super? [Article]
If you have a complaint about some aspect of your super, whether it is about investment returns, fees, errors in your statement, confusion about your fund’s terms and conditions, or unreasonab
- What pensions are available to me? [Article]
The minimum standards for pensions are as follows:
Payments of a minimum amount to be made at least annually, allowing pensioners to take out as much as they wish above the minimum (i
- How are super pensions taxed? [Article]
Anyone who has reached 60 and retired will pay no tax on income streams. The only exceptions are some retired public servants who receive benefits from untaxed funds.
Pensions paid from taxed funds
- What is a super income stream? [Article]
...ed to as Allocated Pensions or Account Based Pensions, allocate members’ money into their own investment account with the fund:
They pr
