The following are the changes in the Federal Budget as announced last week. We see these changes in the concessional super contributions caps and contribution taxes likely to affect some of our clients. Higher contributions tax for very high income earners The tax concession on contributions of earners of over $300,000 will go down from…
An amendment to the Exposure Draft Superannuation Legislation was released by the government in December 2011. Known as the Exposure Draft Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Obligations and Prudential Standards) Bill 2012, this amendment added a number of covenants to the existing legislation document and increased the scope of obligations for trustees and licensees of superannuation…
Getting hurt is no fun, especially when your injury disables you to the point where you’re unable to work. Sure you may be covered by Worker’s Compensation if you suffer an accident in the workplace, but what if you are injured or become ill outside of work? Again your employer may provide sick leave benefits…
Whole of life insurance was once the norm in Australia but this type of insurance has been replaced with Term Life Insurance. Historically, whole of life insurance was permanent life cover that held a cash value that you could surrender or cancel at any point during your policy and receive a cash payment. In the…
Life insurance and income protection insurance for the Mining Industry is often thought of as too risky and difficult to obtain the required cover for the various occupations within the industry. Australian Life insurance providers may have declined cover for the mining industry in the past, despite the fact that in 1994, a study into…
The global and Australian sharemarkets have rallied around 40% from their March lows in anticipation of an earnings recovery. Matthew Sherwood, Perpetual’s Head of Investments Market Research evaluates the recovery and finds that although economic growth should improve in H2 2009, markets appear to be experiencing valuation fatigue and will need analysts to upgrade FY2010…
This note looks at the implications of an upturn in the interest rate cycle for investors. The key points are as follows: – With the economic emergency which followed the global financial crisis now fading into history, interest rates will soon start to rise, with Australia likely to lead the way. – While rising rates…
The following notes takes a look behind the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) target cash rate, its impact on commercial lending rates, the $A, and what interest rate changes mean for the economy. Read More
This note looks at the outlook for the Australian economy. The key points are as follows: – Australia has so far had a very mild economic downturn compared to other countries and its own history. – However, its likely that the economy went backwards in the June quarter and that this will continue into the…
This note looks as the outlook for listed property securities (or real estate investment trusts – REITs). The key points are as follows: – Given the damage done to investor confidence by their big slump over the last 18 months, listed property securities are unlikely to soon return to their once exalted status. – However,…