Wealth

SARAH WELLS: If you’re a grandparent, you’ve got a superpower. It’s the power of your stories, your wisdom and a little bit of old-school know-how when it comes to something we all deal with daily — money.

As many cryptocurrencies hit all-time highs, uncertainty over how various government departments treat these assets could leave some traders and others exposed if Centrelink or the ATO ever come knocking.

Q+A: ‘I want to put a $170,000 inheritance into a term deposit inside my super fund. How safe is my money and would a normal bank term deposit be a better, more secure option?’

‘A lot of people looked at me as if I was crazy.’

Australians can almost double their superannuation balance through a bit of research and a $50 trick.

Here’s who will be receiving increased payments.

NICK BRUINING Q+A: In most cases, executors have 12 months to sort deceased estate affairs. After that, Centrelink can include the value of any ‘entitlement’ in means testing, which may cut your pension.

NICK BRUINING: Thousands of retirees looking forward to a sizeable lift in their age pension could be up for a rude shock when computer systems recalculate their entitlements. Here’s what’s about to happen.

NICK BRUINING: Revelations by Your Money that seniors were being turned away from the State Government’s new solar battery rebate scheme have triggered a significant review of the program.

Q+A: Starting over after a divorce with nothing is scary. With few liquid assets, one option may be to use your superannuation savings to invest in a rental. But there’s a few things to consider first ...

Are you wasting thousands of dollars on mortgage repayments? One quick sum can show you just how much bargaining power you now have to demand a better deal from your lender.

The September hike in Centrelink payment rates also heralds an increase in thresholds to access the popular Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Do you now qualify?

‘If you can’t afford a 15-year mortgage, you can’t really afford the home.’ 

Of the roughly 28 million people in Australia, how many are on the age pension? Where do they live? And once they start receiving the benefit, how many years are they likely to get it for?Find out ...

Two very small changes to how Centrelink calculates your full or part-age pension are about to trim payments for thousands of retirees. Here’s what’s changing and how it will affect you ...