How does public dental care actually (not) work?
Published 15 June 2022
About 20 per cent of Australians, or 5 million people, are eligible for public dentistry in Australia. Even though only a fraction of that number actually uses public dentistry, the waiting lists are long and a movable feast. And the system invites you to cheat. [more]
Why you shouldn’t care about getting dementia
Published 13 June 2022
The two certainties in life are death and taxes, not dementia, and the chance of not getting it remains greater than getting it. Here's why you should ignore the issue- after reading this article, that is.
Rate hike mess: pensioners call for monthly inflation tracking, pension indexation
Published 10 June 2022
Inept inflation tracking, lagging pension indexation, governments of all persuasions have failed to do the right thing by pensioners.
Pension, term deposits: what does June’s rate hike mean for them?
Published 8 June 2022
The Reserve Bank has increased the cash rate by half a per cent. Is this news good, bad or indifferent for what happens with the pension and term deposit rates?
Is it legal to refuse legal tender?
Published 6 June 2022
Is cash really no longer king? Is it legal for a business to say 'no' to your cash? Or your credit card, for that matter?
Are you too paying four times the super fees and charges in retirement?
Published 3 June 2022
Once you retire and start drawing on your super, you no longer pay tax, but the fund keeps charging you fees, higher fees than you were paying while you were still working.
Can you protect yourself from rising energy bills?
Published 1 June 2022
How many times have you opened your energy bill only to get a nasty shock? There is help in some states beyond the usual energy rebates, but getting that help can be a hard slog.
Now for a dental scheme with Medicare teeth!
Published 30 May 2022
Why does our comprehensive health insurance scheme Medicare exclude oral health? Too expensive? Too difficult?
No end-of-life dignity guarantee but euthanasia now legal in all six states
Published 27 May 2022
Voluntary assisted dying is so often viewed as a way to keep control of one’s life right to the end, but voluntary assisted dying schemes in Australia are designed for a different purpose.
Will the new Labor Government raise the pension?
Published 25 May 2022
Indexation will ensure the pension's purchasing power is maintained but is there a prospect of more?
Election 2022 makes major reform do-able
Published 23 May 2022
With The Greens holding the balance of power in the Senate, and the Labor Party forming government, real, meaningful change in the areas of health, aged care and housing is now a real possibility.
Is the outcome of this umpteenth financial advice review going to be affordable advice?
Published 18 May 2022
Reviews of how financial advice is provided in Australia have always focused on how to get financial planners to behave better. The customer has been largely forgotten, and now only the wealthy can afford financial advice. The rest of us have to get by without. [more]
Banks are bullying older Australians out of using cheques
Published 18 May 2022
We all know that cheques are disappearing, but for the Commonwealth Bank (and maybe others), it's just not fast enough. Enter bully tactics.
Rebates and the problem with government websites
Published 18 May 2022
Navigating government websites can be a nightmare. How can you find the right information to get any rebates you qualify for?
Over-65s: Where to get a free flu jab
Published 10 May 2022
Flu shots are available and everyone should get one, especially if you're older. Free if you're over 65!
Superannuation withdrawals: relief is on the way
Published 10 May 2022
Having to withdraw money you don't need from your superannuation pension account is a bugbear for many, but if you're under 75, 1 July this year brings relief.
Deeming rate freeze: does it really help with pensioner cost-of-living?
Published 10 May 2022
A deeming rate freeze! How good is that? Not all that good, it turns out, particularly if you're in a situation where you need it to be good for you.
The emergency ambulance is here for you, now what?
Published 10 May 2022
Imagine that you’ve just experienced a medical emergency. You’ve managed to stop panicking long enough to call 000 and an ambulance is on its way.
Election 2022: the fine mess parties have gotten aged care into
Published 4 May 2022
Aged care is in a fine mess but it's a deadly earnest mess and no slapstick comedy. All major parties have created the mess. They should clean it up together.
Cost of living: How pension indexation should work and why
Published 4 May 2022
Indexation to catch up with cost-of-living increases after increases have happened is fine if you have buffer, but those living near the poverty line or way below it have no buffer.
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