Unemployment skyrockets: what happens after the crisis?
Published 28 April 2020
UNEMPLOYMENT benefits have been more than doubled for six months, but the Government is adamant they will return to Scrooge proportions after that. What should really happen in six months' time?
Reverse mortgages no longer for spending the kids’ inheritance
Published 28 April 2020
THE Banking Royal Commission continues to do good. From 1 July 2020, reverse mortgages will have to be marketed responsibly and ethically. Whether the best-interest test will weed out any remaining spivs is debatable, but the regulation of home equity release will certainly improve. [more]
Coronavirus: Tips for those receiving home care
Published 28 April 2020
IF you receive home care, it is important to be aware of how the staff coming to your house deal with the coronavirus infection risk.
Taking super out early, a good idea?
Published 28 April 2020
THE demands and pressures of the here and now may seem, and perhaps are more pressing than those of a distant future, but leaving your super alone if you can is the best strategy.
Where there’s a way there can be a will
Published 28 April 2020
IT'S not advisable but you can record your last will in many peculiar ways without it becoming invalid.
Hibernating aged care watchdog needs to wake up: pensioners
Published 16 April 2020
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has suspended its regular compliance monitoring of nursing homes, replacing it with a ‘risk-based approach’, which appears to depend heavily on telephone contact and contact via Skype and Zoom with nursing homes. [more]
Two-off pension boost, Newstart to double
Published 24 March 2020
A quick guide for pensioners and self-funded retirees to the Australian Government's stimulus measures announced in March 2020.
How Uber Eats is keeping the pension down
Published 24 March 2020
The Age Pension used to be indexed on the basis of wage growth, but wages have stopped growing. Casual employment rules these days and pay rates are miserly.
Royal Commission wants NDIS approach to aged care
Published 24 March 2020
Aged care available when you need it? Is this is a dream or could it really happen? The Aged Care Royal Commission thinks it should.
Privatisation of aged care assessment stymied
Published 24 March 2020
PLANS to put out a public tender for aged care assessment services have been binned after pressure from the Royal Commission and state and territory health ministers.
GPs make a stand against elder abuse
Published 24 March 2020
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has announced new elder abuse guidelines for GPs.
4% – 5% return and a higher Age Pension
Published 24 March 2020
How do you get an annual return of 4 to 5 per cent on your savings and how do you get 40 per cent of your savings exempted from pension means teasting? Read all about it.
Stimulus should benefit 185,000 seniors on Newstart and anyone else on Newstart
Published 6 March 2020
“Now is the time to give the poorest of the poor a meaningful rise in their Newstart Allowance, which tracks 40% below the pension for singles and 27% for couples”, said CPSA Policy Manager Paul Versteege.
Pensioners want Government action on mandatory nursing home staffing levels now
Published 27 February 2020
Pensioners call on the Australian Government to act immediately to fix the crisis in nursing home staffing following the recommendations of Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Royal Commission: Make nursing home staff ratios mandatory!
Published 25 February 2020
The biggest issue in residential aged care is staffing. Nursing home providers are against mandatory staff ratios, but unions and every right-thinking community group in Australia are in favor. Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is siding with the latter in his recommendations to the Commissioners. [more]
A good alternative to term deposits
Published 25 February 2020
If you or someone you know is persisting with term deposits in the face of laughably low interest rates, there may be an alternative that is almost as safe but pays a lot more.
Getting rid of stamp duty can get you into a better house
Published 25 February 2020
Economists love land tax because of its efficiency but it's hated just as much by those who point out its regressive nature, not unlike the GST. Who is right?
Financial advice after the Banking Royal Commission
Published 25 February 2020
Financial advise is becoming less conflicted but the old problem of finding a good financial adviser or planner remains.
Measly pension increases here to stay
Published 25 February 2020
Every March and every September full rate pensioners hang out for their increase in the pension but it's been a disappointment for years and it is likely to disappointment for the foreseeable future.
Super rate debate ignores 13% effective contribution rate
Published 25 February 2020
Participants in the great superannuation guarantee debate forget that the actual money put aside each year to fund retirements exceeds the 12 per cent super funds dream of.
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