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While there’s a thriving business in building mini, self-contained homes in the backyard, many aren’t aware that a granny flat arrangement can be set up in an existing home, with little or no modification.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumGranny flat hack the gift that could supersize your pension

While there’s a thriving business in building mini, self-contained homes in the backyard, many aren’t aware that a granny flat arrangement can be set up in an existing home, with little or no modification.

Nick Bruining

How do mortgage offset and redraw accounts work? And can you tax-deduct interest payments if you use money from one to buy an investment property?

Bruining Q+ACommentsHow do mortgage offset and redraw accounts work?

Q+A: How do mortgage offset and redraw accounts work? And can you tax-deduct interest payments if you use money from one to buy an investment property?

Nick Bruining

‘Will I keep my age pension if I give away my house to my niece and her growing family? Would I also be able to dodge higher aged-care fees without ownership of the house?’

Bruining Q+ACommentsCan I give away my house and still keep the age pension?

Q+A: ‘Will I keep my age pension if I give away my house to my niece and her growing family? Would I also be able to dodge higher aged-care fees without ownership of the house?’

Nick Bruining

Independent financial planner Emily van Kampen said most Centrelink customers were unaware of what was about to happen.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumHow ASX’s raging bull is about to demolish your age pension

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

Nick Bruining

Generally speaking, executors have about 12 months to manage the affairs of a deceased estate. After that, Centrelink can include the value of any ‘entitlement’ under the means test system. 

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumClock ticking on sorting out Dad’s estate before pension hit

Q+A: In most cases, executors have 12 months to manage the affairs of a deceased estate. After that, Centrelink can include the value of any ‘entitlement’ under means testing, which could cut your pension.

Nick Bruining

While an income test applies, the new indexed levels, combined with a unique method of calculating assessable income, mean many seniors qualify, but some aren’t aware.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumDo Centrelink changes get you access to coveted health card?

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?

Nick Bruining

Lifetime annuities can offer a guaranteed income stream in retirement. Used wisely, they can also work in hand-in-glove with Centrelink’s age pension system to help meet your needs later in life.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumHow a lifetime annuity works with the age pension

Q+A: Lifetime annuities can offer a guaranteed income stream in retirement. Used wisely, they can also work in hand-in-glove with Centrelink’s age pension system to help meet your needs later in life.

Nick Bruining

While seniors will welcome a pension increase, upper eligibility thresholds for income and asset tests have also lifted.

Pension BoostCommentsPremiumMore $1m+ retirees now eligible for part-pension

A sizeable increase to pension payment rates means thousands of well-heeled seniors might now qualify for a payment for the first time. Here’s what changes, and the numbers you need to know ...

Nick Bruining

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 ...

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumYour age pension is about to be clipped. Here’s why...

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 ...

Nick Bruining

Overseas properties inherited are still subject to Australian tax laws and Centrelink rules.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumNo hiding from ATO if you inherit an overseas property

Q+A: You’ve inherited an overseas property from a relative? Planning to enjoy the spoils of a rental income without notifying the Australian Tax Office. That’s a bad plan. Here’s why ...

Nick Bruining

About 2.65 million people rely on the age pension in Australia.

Pension PopulationThis ritzy Perth suburb has just 25 age pensioners

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 ...

Daniel Newell

Don’t believe the spruikers who say you need $1 million to enjoy your retirement. They fail to mention how the age pension works in conjunction with super savings. Here’s how a couple with just $400,000 can live well.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumHow couple with just $400k at retirement can still live well

Don’t believe the spruikers who say you need $1m to enjoy your retirement. They fail to mention how the age pension works in conjunction with super savings. Here’s how a couple with just $400,000 can live well.

Nick Bruining

In between a career and the age pension? One option for income support is the poorly understood JobSeeker allowance payment from Centrelink. Here are the rules ...

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumAn over 55s guide to JobSeeker before the age pension

In between a career and the age pension? One option for income support is the poorly understood JobSeeker allowance payment from Centrelink. Here are the rules …

Nick Bruining

Some employers believe that by having employees obtain an ABN and then having the individual invoice the employer for time worked, they can be treated as a contractor. 

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumBeen asked to get an ABN to work? Don’t be caught short

Q+A: Some employers believe that by having employees obtain an ABN and then having the individual invoice the employer for time worked, they can be treated as a contractor. But don’t be caught out.

Nick Bruining

A fix is needed to make a retirement income system stacked against women, fairer.

Balancing ActCommentsPremiumThe math shows women are getting a raw deal in retirement

The numbers don’t lie! In a nutshell, women need to survive longer on an income that is less than they need . . . using a system that is stacked against them. There’s a very simple fix, so why don’t we do it?

Nick Bruining

Just outside Centrelink’s asset test threshold to be eligible for a part pension? Bummer. Here’s the tricks you need to sneak in under the wire and start collecting a fortnightly payment.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremium$1m-plus in assets? No sweat! Do this to get a part-pension

Q+A: Just outside Centrelink’s asset test threshold to be eligible for a part pension? Bummer. Here’s the tricks you need to sneak in under the wire and start collecting a fortnightly payment.

Nick Bruining

Under the gifting rules, an individual or couple can legitimately reduce their assets by a maximum of $10,000 each financial year with a maximum of $30,000 over a rolling five-year period. 

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumGive cash away ... then get it BACK as a bigger pension

Asset-tested pensioners can use the next 24 hours to boost their pension by up to $60 a fortnight — for life. Here’s how it works, and what you need to do ...

Nick Bruining

The start of a new financial year will usher in a raft of tax and superannuation changes, with almost every Australian affected one way or another. Here’s what changes from midnight.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumJuly 1 changes to tax, super that affect you and your family

The start of a new financial year will usher in a raft of tax and superannuation changes, with almost every Australian affected one way or another. Here’s what changes from midnight.

Nick Bruining

A couple on a full age pension can sell their home for $1.2m, bank $48,000 a year in interest, AND get $400 a month in rental assistance.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumHere’s just how crazy the Centrelink system really is

Q+A: The quirks of the Centrelink system can be summed up here. A couple on a full age pension can sell their home for $1.2m, bank $48,000 a year in interest, AND get $400 a month in rental assistance.

Nick Bruining

Got an inheritance coming your way but worried it will affect your Centrelink age pension? Here are the hints and tips you need to beat the system ... and also boost your superannuation.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumHacks you need to bank an inheritance and keep the pension

Q+A: Got an inheritance coming your way but worried it will affect your Centrelink age pension? Here are the hints and tips you need to beat the system ... and also boost your superannuation.

Nick Bruining

Worried part-pensioners are still waiting to hear if and when deeming rates on their investments, which are used to calculate Centrelink benefits, will be thawed from their five-year freeze.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumNo news on deeming rates good news for pensioners — for now

Worried part-pensioners are still waiting to hear if and when deeming rates on their investments, which are used to calculate Centrelink benefits, will be thawed from their five-year freeze.

Nick Bruining

The changes also mean getting access to the highly sought-after Pension Concession Card, which could be worth up to $7000 in savings for some households.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumChanges coming to Centrelink means-test thresholds on July 1

Increased Centrelink means-test thresholds have been released, and thousands of seniors will now be entitled to government benefits for the first time.

Nick Bruining

Building a $50,000 deposit by such a young age is commendable, but there are some tough obstacles to clear if this savvy saver wants to buy an investment property. Try this instead ...

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumYour 19yo has saved $50k? Here’s what to do with it next

Q+A: Building a $50,000 deposit by such a young age is commendable, but there are a number of tough obstacles to clear if this savvy saver wants to buy an investment property. Try this instead ...

Nick Bruining

Tax and super? It’s a mess! Here’s how to know which parts of your superannuation are safe from the taxman and when you might be hit with a bill, depending on when you access your nest egg.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumA quick-fire guide to how your super savings are taxed

Q+A: Tax and super? It’s a mess! Here’s how to know which parts of your superannuation are safe from the taxman and when you might be hit with a bill, depending on when you access your nest egg.

Nick Bruining