Money Questions

Your Money Questions & Answers

Here's what you need to know before applying for your reserve mortgage. Source: Getty

Financial planning

Reverse mortgages: Your top questions answered

Your complete guide to understanding reverse mortgages in Australia, and all you need to know about this retirement funding option.

Written byYsabelle Alesna

Retirement Income

A guide to the benefits and misconceptions of reverse mortgages

A guide to the benefits and misconceptions of reverse mortgages

We've explored some of the common misunderstandings surrounding the confusion around this financial product.

Written byMatthew Hart

There are many misconceptions and taboos surrounding reverse mortgages that can make people hesitant to consider them. Source: Getty Images.

Experts

Top tips for budgeting on a pension

Top tips for budgeting on a pension

Budgeting on a pension can be a tricky task; especially for those who have relied on their steady income for years prior.

Joanne Edwards Joanne Edwards

Budgeting on a pension can be a tricky task; especially for those who have relied on their steady income for years prior. Source: Getty

Experts

A guide to investing in uncertain times

A guide to investing in uncertain times

CEO of wealth manager and aged-care provider 'Joseph Palmer & Sons', Rodney Horin, provides 10 keys to investing in uncertain times.

Money ExpertRodney Horin

Investing is not for the faint-hearted, nor for those looking to make a quick buck. Source: Getty

Age Pension

Downsizer contributions: Everything you need to know

Downsizer contributions: Everything you need to know

Equip yourself with everything you need to know about making downsizer contributions into your superannuation to build up your retirement savings.

Money ExpertNoel Whittaker

Downsizing is never easy, but Noel Whittaker breaks it down. Source: Getty

Financial planning

Generating a retirement income may be easier than you think

Generating a retirement income may be easier than you think

Bolster your retirement income with an income focused managed fund from Trilogy Funds.

Written byTrilogy Funds

Are you looking for more ways to expand your retirement income? Image source: Getty

Financial planning

Six practical tips to maximise your savings in 2022

Six practical tips to maximise your savings in 2022

There’s more to saving than just budgeting. Make your money work hard until you are ready to spend with these helpful tips.

Written byTrilogy Funds

Work smarter, not harder! Optimise your money-saving habits to achieve your financial goals this year. Image source: Getty Images

Retirement Income

‘If I’m in a tough spot financially, is it smart to move to an income stream?’

‘If I’m in a tough spot financially, is it smart to move to an income stream?’

"Creating a super income stream because you 'need' to isn't always the right approach."

Money ExpertJim Kilkenny

This reader wants to know if it's better for his overall financials to drip feed his super into his pocket rather than take it out in a lump sum. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘Should I have contested my partner’s will after his kids got everything?’

‘Should I have contested my partner’s will after his kids got everything?’

"There is probably not a lot to gain from a 'shoulda' or 'coulda' analysis."

Money ExpertBrian Herd

Even though the ship has now sailed, one reader wants to know if she should have contested her partner's will when he passed away. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘Will my son have to pay CGT on his inheritance when I die?’

‘Will my son have to pay CGT on his inheritance when I die?’

Inheriting a property AND shares is fortunate but selling them can come with a cost.

Money ExpertGeoffrey Armstrong

The reader is worried as his son won't be able to afford any payments after receiving the inheritance. Source: Getty.

Retirement Income

‘Can a 58-year-old, full-time worker use their super to pay off a mortgage?’

‘Can a 58-year-old, full-time worker use their super to pay off a mortgage?’

Heard of unrestricted non-preserved benefits? Nope? Nor have most people, but there's a slim chance they could hold the answer.

Money ExpertJim Kilkenny

This reader wants to know when the right time is to take the first dip into super. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘Should I give my home to my daughter now or will it to her?’

‘Should I give my home to my daughter now or will it to her?’

"I have seen many of these types of arrangements fall down because no one applied the 'what if' analysis."

Money ExpertBrian Herd

Handing your house over to your kids when you're still alive can come with more complications than just naming them in your will. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘I’ll receive my husband’s estate, but how can I stop his son challenging MY will?’

‘I’ll receive my husband’s estate, but how can I stop his son challenging MY will?’

If you haven't heard of a statement of wishes before, now's the time to learn!

Money ExpertBrian Herd

How far will this reader go to keep a lock on her estate? Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘Can my ex-wife’s new partner rob our kids of her home if she dies?’

‘Can my ex-wife’s new partner rob our kids of her home if she dies?’

There are several hurdles a de facto partner must jump to successfully challenge a will. But it's not impossible.

Money ExpertBrian Herd

There are some hurdles to jump over before a de facto can successfully contest a will. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘How can I ensure my son inherits my home without impacting my de facto?’

‘How can I ensure my son inherits my home without impacting my de facto?’

"I want my partner to be able to live comfortably should anything happen to me but not to the detriment of my son."

Money ExpertBrian Herd

This reader has found herself between a rock and a hard place when it comes to who she's going to hand her house to when she dies. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘Can my estranged brother fight my attempt to sell our late dad’s house?’

‘Can my estranged brother fight my attempt to sell our late dad’s house?’

"I've received no benefit from my father’s will over the past 37 years, unlike Dad's de facto wife or my half-brother, who've lived rent-free for all of that time."

Money ExpertBrian Herd

Family fights are bad enough on their own, let alone when there's money involved. 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."

Money ExpertTom Ellison

Deciding whether or not to put money into a nest egg can be tricky. Source: Getty.

Money

‘What’s fair for a financial adviser to charge in the current financial climate?’

‘What’s fair for a financial adviser to charge in the current financial climate?’

"There is a famous and very apt adage applying to this issue which goes 'price is only a concern in the absence of value'!"

Money ExpertJim Kilkenny

As the financial world changes, should the fee structure of financial advisers balance out to match? Jim Kilkenny explains. Source: Getty.

Downsizing your home

‘How will buying in a retirement community impact the estate I leave?’

‘How will buying in a retirement community impact the estate I leave?’

Starts at 60’s free ‘Downsizing Essentials’ e-guide can help you break down the financials of retirement living in one simple exercise.

PROPERTY EXPERTRachel Lane

There's a lot to unpack when it comes to downsizing to head into a retirement village. Source: Getty.

Age Pension

‘If I release $600,000 in home equity, how will it impact my Age Pension?’

‘If I release $600,000 in home equity, how will it impact my Age Pension?’

Making the wrong move here could have the impact of entirely removing this reader’s pension eligibility.

PROPERTY EXPERTRachel Lane

Unlocking cash after selling the family home could impact your pension depending on how you use it. 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."

Money ExpertTom Ellison

Don't let your super savings go to waste on unnecessary fees. Source: Getty.

Age Pension

‘I’m worried that releasing $200K in home equity will impact my pension?’

‘I’m worried that releasing $200K in home equity will impact my pension?’

There are clever solutions that could allow this reader to downsize AND keep as much of her pension as possible.

PROPERTY EXPERTRachel Lane

As this reader's assets increase, her pension may consequently be reduced. Source: Getty.

Financial planning

‘How much Rent Assistance can I get with a pension and nearly $600K in assets?’

‘How much Rent Assistance can I get with a pension and nearly $600K in assets?’

Bad news for self-funded retirees, as the rules around Rent Assistance are only applicable to those in receipt of a pension or government allowance.

PROPERTY EXPERTRachel Lane

Adding together all the building blocks of your finances will help to understand how much rent assistance you're eligible for. Source: Getty.

Our Money Experts

Retirement Income

Australia’s demographic problem: Why the retirement income review won’t fix it

by Noel Whittaker

Estate planning

How to spot when elderly loved ones are being manipulated for financial gain

by Leigh Adams

5 key considerations when researching residential aged care in 2021

by Rodney Horin

‘Investors are betting Aussie rates will sink further in 2021. I agree with them’

by Noel Whittaker