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7 January 2025
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Imputation credit class war, impact on hybrids, women losing super rights, retirees not spending, downsizer checks, rate prospects, luxury goods.
The current system is fundamentally fair as domestic shareholders pay tax on fully franked dividends at their own tax rate. This is what imputation should achieve and why we need franking credits refunded.
Treasury is designing guidelines for retirement products which virtually preclude reversionary benefits, and yet these usually accrue to women when the male partner with more superannuation dies.
Doubts about the value of franking credits under Labor's proposed policy have already led to a rise in spreads on hybrids, which might throw up good investment opportunities.
It's not long ago when Australian bond rates were well above US bond rates, and now they are the same in the 10 years. Factors affecting Australian monetary policy will not mirror US rises through 2018.
The new downsizer contribution legislation can assist older Australians to contribute to super by selling their main residence (without actually downsizing) but could affect their age pension.
There are many unanswered questions about why retirees spend so little in retirement, but perhaps it is a form of insurance against longevity risk.
Many investors react poorly to market falls, although they should be accepted as frequent and part of investing. It’s best to know how you respond to your behavioural biases, and prepare for them in advance.
There are more opportunities on offer in the larger and more diverse economies overseas, especially in companies with sizeable untapped market potential and an insulation from normal market forces.
Last year, I wrote an article suggesting returns from ASX stocks would trample those from housing over the next decade. One year later, this is an update on how that forecast is going and what's changed since.
The Future Fund's original purpose was to meet the unfunded liabilities of Commonwealth defined benefit schemes. These liabilities have ballooned to an estimated $290 billion and taxpayers continue to be treated like fools.
ASFA provides a key guide for how much you will need to live on in retirement. Unfortunately it has many deficiencies, and the averages don't tell the full story of the growing gender superannuation gap.
Unlike family trusts, testamentary trusts are activated posthumously, empowering you to exert post-death control over your assets. Learn how testamentary trusts offer unique benefits and protective measures.
Key lessons include expensive stocks can always get more expensive, Bitcoin is our tulip mania, follow the smart money, the young are coming with pitchforks on housing, and the importance of staying invested.
Check out the most-read Firstlinks articles from 2024. From '16 ASX stocks to buy and hold forever', to 'The best strategy to build income for life', and 'Where baby boomer wealth will end up', there's something for all.