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3 July 2024
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This 2018 Federal Budget was framed against improving revenues from company and personal taxes giving a smaller Budget deficit and the promise of surpluses beginning earlier than expected.The changes to superannuation are minimal, with announcements to protect smaller balances and an opt-in for life insurance in super.Most attention will focus on the personal tax cuts for low and middle-income earners starting on 1 July 2018. This is intended to boost consumer spending at a time of low wages growth, as well as recognising this is a pre-election Budget. There is funding for infrastructure and business to promote growth as GDP rose only 0.4% in the December 2017 quarter. The dependence for growth on personal consumption was demonstrated by the strongest contributions coming from household and government consumption, offsetting falls in private non-dwelling construction and weaker exports.However, as during the mining boom, the risk is the coming budget improvements will not be used to repay debt and bolster the economy for a future slowdown in global growth or rising domestic unemployment. On 27 April 2018, The Australian Financial Review published a poll which showed 32% wanted improved revenues spent on retiring government debt versus 27% asking for personal tax cuts and only 10% wanted a company tax cut.Personal taxThe personal income tax cuts will be spread over 10 years with a modest start, and regardless of who wins the next election, they are likely to be sustained by both parties looking to voter favour. Low to middle-income workers will receive maximum initial tax relief, but the ‘aspirational’ class on higher incomes, including the top marginal tax rate, are also targetted but for a later start.Retirement incomesThe Budget includes two useful retirement income policies, with a more open access to the Pension Loans Scheme, and encouragement for innovative income steam products.The highlights of Budget 2018 are linked in the article below and on our website, including a state-by-state look at the infrastructure spending to promote growth and jobs and reduce congestion.Graham Hand, Managing Editor
Edition 252 | 8 May 2018 | Editorial | Newsletter
Two commonly asked questions are: 'How much do I need to retire' and 'How much can I afford to spend in retirement'? This is a guide to help you come up with your own numbers to suit your goals and needs.
There seems to be more confusion than clarity about the mechanics of how the new $3 million super tax is supposed to work. Here is an attempt to answer some of the questions from my previous work on the issue.
Washington H. Soul Pattinson is an ASX top 50 stock with one of the best investment track records this country has seen. Yet, most Australians haven’t heard of it, and the company seems to prefer it that way.
We are often quoted life expectancy at birth but what matters most is how long we should live as we grow older. It is surprising how short this can be for people born last century, so make the most of it.
A new report suggests Australian housing is twice as expensive as that of the US and UK on a price-to-income basis. It also reveals that it’s cheaper to live in New York than most of our capital cities.
Here are 10 rules for staying happy and sharp as we age, including socialise a lot, never retire, learn a demanding skill, practice gratitude, play video games (specific ones), and be sure to reminisce.
The best way to lose money in markets is to chase the latest stock fad. Conversely, the best way to build wealth is by pursuing a timeless investment strategy that won’t be swayed by short-term market gyrations.
Australian consumers have held up remarkably well amid rising interest rates and inflation. Yet, there are increasing signs that this is turning, and the weakness in consumer spending may last years, not months.
The nine lessons include there is always a cycle, the crowd gets it wrong at extremes, what you pay for an investment matters a lot, markets don’t learn, and you need to know yourself to be a good investor.
It's that time of year when investors sell underperforming stocks at a loss to offset capital gains from profitable investments. This tax-loss selling is creating opportunities in three quality ASX stocks.
Across the globe, leaders are concerned about the fallout from declining birth rates and shrinking populations. Australia, though attractive to migrants, mirrors global birth rate declines, and faces its own challenges.
Australians are paying almost two billion dollars in credit and debit card fees each year and the RBA wil now probe the whole payment system. What changes are needed to ensure the system is fair and transparent?
Many Australians neglect key retirement planning tools. Investment bonds are increasingly valuable as they facilitate intergenerational wealth transfer and offer strategic tax advantages, thereby enhancing financial security.