Category: Uncategorized
Age Pension and CGT implications of caravanning around Australia for 12 months
Many retirees dream of taking a “lap of Australia” in a caravan. A common question is what happens to the Age Pension and the family home if you leave it for a year. Will the home stay an exempt asset for Age Pension purposes? For Age Pension means testing, the principal home is generally an...
Who can make a claim against a deceased estate
In Australia, the law recognises that a will maker may sometimes fail to make adequate provision for close family or dependants. In that situation, certain people can ask the Supreme Court for a share, or a larger share, of the deceased’s estate. This is usually called a family provision claim or a claim against a...
Senior living options
As Australians live longer, many older adults are looking for housing that supports a comfortable and connected lifestyle. Two of the most popular choices are retirement villages and land lease communities. Each offers its own mix of costs, benefits, and lifestyle perks. Retirement villages Retirement villages are designed for people aged 55 and over who...
What happens if you don’t have a valid will?
When someone passes away without a valid will, this is known as intestacy. In this situation, the law in each state and territory sets out a formula for how your estate is divided. These rules often follow a standard order – spouse first, then children, then other relatives, but they may not align with what...
Stuck in the middle – How the sandwich generation can cope financially
Many Australians are finding themselves part of the “sandwich generation” – adults who are juggling the demands of raising their own children while also caring for ageing parents. It’s a tough spot to be in, emotionally and financially. Whether you’re still working and trying to build your own wealth, or you’ve recently retired and expected...
Unlocking Savings: Your Guide to Government Concession Cards
Government concession cards, including the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card and state-based Seniors Cards provide significant savings. These cards help you reduce costs on healthcare, prescriptions, and daily expenses, making life more affordable. Federal Government Concession Cards These cards offer lower prescription costs of $7.70 compared to the general rate...
Aged Care reforms – What they mean for new residents from November 2025
Last year, new Aged Care legislation was enacted aiming to improve aged care quality and sustainability. The changes were originally set for 1 July 2025 but will now start on 1 November 2025. Here’s a look at the main changes and what they mean for older Australians. The reforms aim to strengthen the aged care...
2025 Trust Resolution Forms
Scan the code or click HERE to submit your 2025 Trust Resolution request
The ban on genetic test insurance discrimination
The ability for life insurers to discriminate based on adverse predictive genetic test results will be banned under a new Government proposal. Predictive genetic tests detect gene variants associated with heritable disorders that appear after birth, often later in life, but are not clinically detectable at the time of testing. To overcome concerns about discrimination...
5 million+ struggle with mortgage payments
New nationwide research released by ASIC’s Moneysmart reveals that 47% of Australian adults with debt, the equivalent of 5.8 million people, have struggled to make repayments in the last 12 months. Alarmingly, the research revealed that more than half surveyed, said they are not aware that they are entitled to ask their bank or lender...
