Money

13 of 76 super funds failed the performance test. Find out how your super fund performed here.

A reverse mortgage could fund your home renovations to help you stay there longer. Image source: Getty

Super funds damning failure of performance test

Written bySuzi O'Shea

13 of 76 super funds failed the government's performance test. Source: Getty

3 real-life examples of Aussies with reverse mortgages

We take a look at the process of accessing the equity in your home and how it has impacted a couple and two singles.

We’ve answered the most common queries in easy-to-understand terms.

A reverse mortgage could allow you to safely access the equity in your home and improve your retirement funding. Image source: Getty

Reverse mortgages: Your 6 biggest questions answered

Centrelink often view transfers into trusts and other structures as ways to avoid the effects of means testing, so it has strict rules in place to prevent this, explains Nick Bruining.

Reverse mortgages are safely and specifically designed to help over-60s live better at home. Source: Getty

‘Can we get a part-pension once it’s been 5yrs since we gave our son a house?’

Money ExpertNick Bruining

The house you transferred to the trust will be assessed under the asset test now and, more importantly, into the foreseeable future. Source: Getty

Reverse mortgages: What laws are in place to protect borrowers?

The protections in place for reverse mortgage borrowers today are much improved, and the law now contains important safeguards.

Written byPeter Kell

In Australia, the home is very often our largest (financial) asset, and experts say more of us should be “unlocking” it and making the most of our later years. Source: Getty

4 ways to safely access equity in your home for a better retirement

We get it, your home is your castle; that’s why it’s worth doing your homework to ensure you have the right reverse mortgage product for your needs. And, yes, there’s more than one!

Written byDr Deborah Ralston

Rising property prices in Australia will likely offset some of the interest rate cost of a reverse mortgage.

Why reverse mortgages are ideal for asset-rich, cash-poor retirees

There’s a lot to like about reverse mortgages. Finance guru Noel Whittaker is here to explain the ins and outs.

Money ExpertNoel Whittaker

With reverse mortgages, no regular repayments of principal or interest are required.

Q&A

‘Is $2M in super and savings enough for a comfortable retirement?’

by Rodney Horin

Financial planning

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

by Rachel Lane

Estate planning

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

by Brian Herd

Finding additional income from somewhere will be a necessity for most. Read the article

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

by Jim Kilkenny

Estate planning

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

by Brian Herd

The hard retirement choices an 'average' couple will have to make

The hard retirement choices an ‘average’ couple will have to make

End of life planning

The complete state-by-state guide to probate: Who needs it and when

If you’re the executor of a loved one’s estate, your role will almost certainly involve distributing assets, as well as possibly paying debts or overseeing the sale of property or other belongings. But there are a number of steps required by law before you start dealing with the deceased’s finances.

Money ExpertNoel WhittakerThe Financial Wizard of Oz

Money ExpertJim KilkennyThe Financial Services and Investment Veteran

Money ExpertNick BruiningThe Retirement Income Expert

Money ExpertBrian HerdThe Elder Law Legal Eagle

PROPERTY EXPERTRachel LaneThe Retirement Living and Aged Care Guru

Money ExpertTom EllisonThe Naked Investor

Your Money's Sections

Our money section is broken into four core pillars. Each is packed with expert insights, real life questions and helpful information.

Everyday Money

Accounts, bills, budgets, cash, credit, consumer protections, products, payment platforms, rates and more; over-60s want to get the best out of their most frequent financial transactions because they know if they look after the pennies, the pounds look after themselves.

Retirement Income

When you’ve worked for 40 years or more, knowing you can finally kick back without financial worries really matters. That’s why the pillars of Australia’s retirement income system are top topics; super, the Age Pension, mainstream investments, personal savings and property are all in focus here.

Planning for Later Life

All of this looking after the pennies and maintaining a secure but not indulgent retirement income means wealth to pass on. There’s no taboo on talking about death; we regularly discuss the nitty gritty on who, what, when and how when it comes to estate and end-of-life planning.

The Big Questions

Starts at 60 Community members submit their questions to us for response by our financial experts. Helpful insights from real life situations.

The latest from our partners

Financial Planning

‘I worked too hard all my life to keep saying no to good things in retirement’

Vivienne spent more than a year researching options to boost her retirement income - you might be surprised at what she chose.

Access competitive returns on an investment that’s carefully risk-managed by a trusted Australian fund manager.

How an Australian mortgage trust could help meet your retirement income needs

Written byTrilogy Funds

Investment

DIY investment or super: What to consider when choosing the option for you

Just as most people on Grand Designs end up learning, DIY is never as easy or cheap as it looks.

Written byChristine Seib

From the experts

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: Tricks to get you more and traps you should avoid

Pensioners owe it to themselves to make sure they’re getting their full entitlement. Here’s how to do it.

Money ExpertTom Ellison

Experts

Over-60s and the budget: The pros and the potential pitfalls to avoid

Find out what the Budget 2021-22 really has to offer older Australians – and where there’s a sting in the tail.

Money ExpertNick Bruining

The treasurer unveiled the budget on Tuesday night. Source: Getty

Financial planning

‘Shameful’: Experts slam ASIC’s latest financial adviser fee increase

The fee hike, published by the industry watchdog, represents an increase of 160 per cent over two years for financial advisers.

Written byAnna Wall

Numbers of Australian financial advisers have dropped from about 25,200 in 2017/18 to just 21,200 now. Source: Getty

Aged care

How to rescue your retirement from the ageing parent trap

Brian shares 10 tips to help you prepare for your ageing family's future and avoid destructive disputes, so your retirement has more calm and less chaos.

Leigh Adams reveals the early warning signs a family member may be trying to unfairly access more of an estate and how to stop this in its tracks.

The needs of ageing parents is a crucial topic that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Source: Getty

Estate planning

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

Money ExpertLeigh Adams

It's better to identify a potential problem early and nip it in the bud before it's too late. Source: Getty

Retirement Income

‘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.

Aged care

5 key considerations when researching residential aged care in 2021

"There is probably no other industry in Australia that has such a confusing array of jargon, acronyms and nuances."

Money ExpertRodney Horin

The aged care system can be a maze. Here's how to know if you're doing it right. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘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."

We look at some of the common mistakes involving POAs and how you can avoid them.

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

Avoiding disaster: How to choose the right power of attorney

Estate planning expertMarie Brownell

Don't want your estate to crash and burn after you're gone? Choose the right POA to take care of it. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

Preventing financial abuse: The lessons from real-life family legal battle

"Some family members count on you not upsetting the status quo but if you don’t, then you or your loved one may end up much worse off."

Money ExpertLeigh Adams

Have you ever had the feeling a family member is buttering-up an elderly relative to get more than their fair share of the estate? If the answer is yes, here's the best way to intervene. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘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?’

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.

Aged care

The differences between the CHSP and Home Care Packages explained

What they are, how you can apply for and use them and what you'll pay - it's all in here!

Money ExpertGareth Mahon

It's time to crack the can of worms that is the national home care system. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

‘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."

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

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?’

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

Watch Starts at 60 Masterclasses

Starts at 60 Members are invited to attend our retirement masterclasses. These are some of the money masterclasses we've held in the past 12 months.

Starts At 60 Masterclass

Watch Now: Managing your Money in Uncertain Times

Watch our online panel event on how you can manage your money in the uncertain times. It covers 1. Ensuring access to your bank accounts 2. Staying calm about super 3. Updating end-of-life planning 4. Key themes emerging from the economy.

Starts At 60 Masterclass

Watch Now: All your digital banking questions answered

Learn about the tech keeping your money safe online, how you can easily keep yourself safe from scammers and the many things you can do with digital banking – without needing to leave your home!

Starts At 60 Masterclass

Downsize or don't: Retirement income post-Covid 19

If you’re worried about whether your retirement income will last the distance or whether to downsize now our later, our online masterclass with financial guru Noel Whittaker, downsizing expert Rachel Lane and economics commentator Adam Creighton has the answers.

Watch: Your Money

Here's a selection of videos to help you navigate your money issues as you are nearing, and in retirement.

Everyday Money

Watch: Creating a budget for your retirement

Everyday Money

How you can help your kids while in retirement