Advice-Related Complaints Low Despite Huge Rise In General

Advice-Related Complaints Low Despite Huge Rise In General

Of the nearly 97,000 complaints lodged with AFCA in the past 12 months, less than 5% were related to investments and advice and just under 2% were about life insurance. A statement from the authority says consumers in dispute with financial firms lodged a record...
From purchase to lease, SMSF property documentation is essential

From purchase to lease, SMSF property documentation is essential

Lease agreements for property must also adhere to non-arm’s length regulations to avoid the scrutiny of the ATO, says an SMSF expert. . In a recent webinar for The Knowledge Shop on SMSF and property, superannuation adviser Natalie Scott said lease agreements are an...
Returns rebound in 2022-23

Returns rebound in 2022-23

Investment markets rebounded in 2022-23. But it's important to understand that asset class returns vary from year to year. . Specific points in time can be useful for investors, although they’re generally less relevant over the long term. Take the end of the...
Taxing unrealised capital gains a grave concern: Burgess

Taxing unrealised capital gains a grave concern: Burgess

The SMSFA has renewed its call for a more equitable and less costly approach to the federal government’s proposed new tax on superannuation balances exceeding $3 million. . In his speech on the first day of the SMSFA’s annual Technical Summit on the Gold Coast, CEO...
Understanding the role of custodians

Understanding the role of custodians

Investment custodians have an important function to safeguard the assets of millions of Australian investors. . You may not realise it. But if you’re a member of a superannuation fund, or an investor in a managed fund, there’s a high chance your investments are being...
Our investment and economic outlook, July 2023

Our investment and economic outlook, July 2023

Read our latest forecasts for investment returns and our region-by-region economic outlook. . The neutral rate of interest in the United States may be higher than many people think—including Federal Reserve policymakers. That is among the findings of new Vanguard...
Tax alert warning could catch more in the ATO web

Tax alert warning could catch more in the ATO web

It’s not just SMSF trustees that may be caught under the tax alert issued last week in regards to property and arms’ length dealings, warns a specialist SMSF legal expert. . Bryce Figot, special counsel for DBA Lawyers, said under paragraph 25 of the alert (TA2023/2),...
More Australians are unlocking home equity to fund retirement

More Australians are unlocking home equity to fund retirement

A growing number of Australians are downsizing their home to fund their retirement. Here's the latest data from the ATO on use of the downsizer measure. . Vanguard’s recently released How Australia Retires study found that Australians with the highest confidence...
Five questions that indicate how financial literate you are.

Five questions that indicate how financial literate you are.

Australia has a relatively high level of financial literacy when ranked globally. In a study of 140 economies, Australia ranked in the top 10 countries for financial literacy. .   Notwithstanding this favourable global performance there is widespread financial...