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When it comes to pension eligibility, your investments might be weighing you down.

Why is Centrelink penalising me for shares I cannot sell?

Centrelink assesses share values based on the ASX. Unfortunately, this doesn’t help when companies are in extended trading halts.

  • Noel Whittaker

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A testamentary trust for each of your children may be of value here to protect what you pass on.

I’m 58 with terminal cancer. How can I maximise my kids’ inheritance?

If leaving a legacy for your children is important to you, there are a few key things to get across before you go.

  • Paul Benson
Distributing money from a property you’ve inherited will unfortunately affect your age pension.

I’m selling mum’s house. Will gifting grandkids the proceeds cut my pension?

Unfortunately, once you inherit a property, it becomes your asset, and Centrelink’s gifting rules kick in. But there is one easy work-around.

  • Noel Whittaker
Even if your super’s looking a little small, there are ways to make the most of it.

I’m nearly 60 and might lose my job. Can I really afford to retire?

We all work on the assumption that we will retire at a time of our choosing, but that is not always how things unfold.

  • Paul Benson
Be careful that when helping your kids, you don’t run out of money yourself.

Should I sell my home to help my three children buy a house?

Be careful when helping your kids – you do not want to put yourself into a position where you are unable to fund your aged care costs.

  • Noel Whittaker
Calculating what will leave you better off – a mortgage or paying rent – isn’t as easy as it first seems.

We want to retire, but our rent is $65k a year. What should we do?

Australia’s system favours home ownership, so you may need to look towards buying a home to afford your retirement.

  • Paul Benson
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Starting to contribute extra to your super when you’re young is a great way to boost your retirement savings.

My 15-year-old just got his first job. How can he boost his super?

The sooner you start thinking about maximising your super, the better, and there are some government schemes available to help.

  • Noel Whittaker
Keeping on top of an SMSF can be a lot of work.

We’re in our mid-50s. Should we shift our super into an SMSF?

There’s a common thought that once you hit a certain age and super balance, self-managed super funds make sense. I’m not so convinced.

  • Paul Benson
You should notify Centrelink whenever you buy or sell gold bullion as it changes the value and structure of your assets.

How will my gold bullion affect my pension income?

Buying gold doesn’t create assessable income, but once you own it, the value must be declared to Centrelink.

  • Noel Whittaker
There are plenty of options when it comes to growing your finances outside of super and ETFs.

I’ve sorted my super and grown my savings. What should I do next?

If you’re looking for your next growth opportunity, there are two main steps you can take once your finances are optimised.

  • Paridhi Jain