Money Expert

Tom Ellison

The Naked Investor
3 non-financial things to consider when you’re planning for retirement
Tom Ellison avatarTom Ellison
Retirement Income
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A difference of 1 per cent in fees could make a difference of 20 per cent in your final retirement payout. Image source: Getty
Retirement Income

‘What’s a reasonable amount to pay in super fees and charges?’

‘What’s a reasonable amount to pay in super fees and charges?’

"If you’re paying 2.0 per cent or more, then you’re probably indirectly paying for someone’s leased BMW and pony club membership."
I can’t say our casual acceptance of the growing divide between rich and poor makes me proud to be Australian. Source: Getty
Opinion

Is this the Australia we really want?

Is this the Australia we really want?

Last week, Australia’s largest media company published a story about a man who was “shattered” by the latest interest rate rise, because it meant he was unlikely to achieve his ambition of owning 30 properties by the time he was 30 years of age.
For the assets test, the house you live in is really the only thing that isn't taken into account. Source: Getty
Age Pension

Age Pension income and assets tests: What you need to know now

Age Pension income and assets tests: What you need to know now

Centrelink’s income and assets tests are now way less complicated than they once were. Tom Ellison outlines the basics.
Last year alone, more than 40,000 claims for Age Pension were rejected. Source: Getty Images.
Age Pension

The ‘Beginners guide’ to the Age Pension in Australia

The ‘Beginners guide’ to the Age Pension in Australia

Tom Ellison spells out exactly what you need to know about claiming the Age Pension.
It’s important you correct the values of your assets such as, bank accounts, investments, cars, and home contents regularly. The majority of your assets depreciate over time, providing an opportunity to increase your pension. Source: Getty Images
Age Pension

Maximise your Age Pension: Top tricks to get you more and the traps you should avoid

Maximise your Age Pension: Top tricks to get you more and the traps you should avoid

Pensioners owe it to themselves to make sure they’re getting their full entitlement. Here’s how to do it.
Buying a brand new car might not be all that it's cracked up to be. Source: Getty
Experts

Cars can kill you financially

Cars can kill you financially

Financial expert, Tom Ellison, shares his secrets on what makes buying a brand new car such a bad idea during retirement.
Of our 25 million population, only about 40 per cent actually pay income tax. So for every taxpayer, there’s about $100,000 in government debt. Source: Getty
Experts

Australia’s $1 trillion problem explained: What our national debt means for you

Australia’s $1 trillion problem explained: What our national debt means for you

"We’re looking at a string of tax hikes, as well as cuts to services over the next decade (and more). And that’s just to pay the interest."
Deciding whether or not to put money into a nest egg can be tricky. Source: Getty.
Retirement Income

‘I have $400K from a property sale. Should I put it into my super fund?’

‘I have $400K from a property sale. Should I put it into my super fund?’

"You could just pay a financial adviser to sort all this out for you, but there’s merit in learning as much as you can yourself beforehand."
When you have to dig into your super for big expenses, is common to worry about the tax implications. Source: Getty.
Retirement Income

‘Do I pay tax on a lump sum withdrawal from my account-based pension?’

‘Do I pay tax on a lump sum withdrawal from my account-based pension?’

Account-based pensions come with a load of tax-free goodness, but the minimum withdrawal rates are there to offset that.

About Tom Ellison

Before becoming an award-winning financial advisor and stockbroker, Tom Ellison was a policy advisor and Financial Information Service officer for Australia’s Department of Human Services, so there’s not much about retirement planning he doesn’t know about. He’s also worked as a journalist, financial analyst and managing editor of The Barefoot Investor newsletter. These days, as a writer and communications consultant, Tom works with businesses and superannuation funds to help turn complex issues into words that most people can understand. He also runs a financial education business, The Naked Investor, which aims to help everyday Australians learn more about investing, understand how super works, and unravel the complexities of the share market. The Naked Investor publishes a subscription-only newsletter for investors ready to get started in the share market. When time permits, Tom’s putting the finishing touches on two books – Super Made Sexy, and Three Chickens and One Dog (Planning the Perfect Retirement). Although he’s now a resident of Queensland, he still calls Tasmania home.