Preparing for loss of capacity or death is vital for SMSF members. It's important to ensure your trust deed is watertight.

There are more than 600,000 self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) in Australia, managing close to $900 billion of assets on behalf of over a million Australians. Each SMSF’s trust deed is legally required to set out the rules for establishing and operating the SMSF including its objectives, who can be a member of the SMSF, and whether benefits can be paid as a lump sum or as an income stream.

But what happens when a member becomes incapacitated, or dies?

Welcome to our August update. With winter winding up and tax returns on the way for some, there may be sunnier days ahead. While the price of most goods and services continues to rise, the good news is the rate of increase is continuing to slow and the markets are beginning to breathe a sigh of relief.

Bull market surges have been longer and stronger than the bear markets that preceded them. Bear markets occur when a share market falls by 20 per cent or more from its most recent trading high.

Volatile economic and investment conditions caused the United States share market to fall into bear market territory in 2022.

If money’s too tight to mention, here’s some small steps that can make a big difference in achieving your financial goals.

How would you rate your level of financial wellness?

Do you think you’re in a good position to meet your immediate and near-term financial obligations? What about your long-term goals?

As our superannuation balances grow larger, it makes more sense than ever to keep track of the many rules changes that have recently happened or are coming up soon.

So, check out these latest changes in case they affect you.

It is a special feeling to welcome a new child or grandchild into the world and watch them grow. Sharing their joy as they reach new milestones is priceless.

Of course, there is a real cost – raising a child is expensive, particularly now as the cost-of-living spirals higher.

Welcome to our July update and, with a new financial year underway, it might be a good opportunity to review some of the recent changes to business and investment rules to make sure you’re on the right track.

As financial planners we have discussions everyday about being financially independent. Here is an honest account of life after separation from our financial adviser Simone Richardson

The rising cost of living is grabbing all the attention right now as people struggle to pay the increasing prices. But in the meantime, our collective wealth has been growing steadily and is being transferred to the next generation at increasing rates.

In fact, the value of inheritances as well as gifts to family and friends has doubled over the past two decades.

Tax measures were less central to this year’s Federal Budget than they have been in recent years.

While there were some new tax measures, the Budget this year was more about the first surplus in 15 years and various spending measures.

Buying your first investment property can be a bold step towards a more prosperous and secure future. But it also poses risks. The Successful Investor’s Michael Sloan outlines five strategies to help you take the right path.

As the winter sets in and the end of the financial year approaches, it’s a good chance to spend some time tidying up and reviewing your finances.

Concerns that the Reserve Bank may lift interest rates this month, along with the drama over the US debt ceiling and the worry that the US Treasury may run out of cash, have affected local markets and the Australian dollar.

Join Citadel Adviser, Jack Mascitelli, and T. Rowe Price's Global Equities Portfolio Specialist Sam Ruiz as they unpack current market conditions, the drivers behind Global Equities recent positive performance and what it means in the near future.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers bills his 2023 Federal Budget as an economic strategy to help ease cost-of-living pressures.

To that end, he has delivered a modest but welcome package of cuts to healthcare, housing and energy costs as well as boosts to welfare payments for single parents and the unemployed.

When life tosses up an unexpected event – such as retrenchment, a medical emergency or even just a big bill to fix the car – it can be nerve-wracking worrying about how to deal with the crisis. And, if funds are short, that just adds to the stress.

But imagine that you have a secret cash stash – an emergency fund – that will cover the costs, giving you the mental space to deal with the problem.

Here are some tips that can help you build confidence in your investing approach, no matter what the markets are doing.

Emotions always play a role in investing. For some investors, especially newer ones, it can be hard to separate the idea of investing from “losing it all.”

Superannuation has dominated recent headlines, with proposed changes announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. While the details of these changes still need to be released, it’s worthwhile turning our focus to superannuation balances as we approach the end of financial year.

There are lots of different ways to top up your super, but if you want to take advantage of the opportunity to maximise your contributions, it is important not to wait until the last minute.

Just like your car needs a periodic service to stay in tune, here's why you should rebalance your portfolio from time to time.

Over time, market fluctuations can affect your asset allocation weightings and change the risk/return profile of your portfolio.

As the days get shorter and temperatures begin to fall, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers is working to complete his second Budget, due to be delivered on Tuesday 9 May.

All eyes will be on the Reserve Bank board next week as it meets prior to the Federal Budget to decide whether or not to increase the cash rate. The board decided last month to pause its relentless increase of rates designed to reduce inflation to 2-3%.

It should be a buyer’s market, so why are property buyers holding back?

Even though buyers face less competition and enjoy more affordable prices during a downturn, some find that the uncertain conditions magnify the risks of short-term loss and induce anxiety, making it seem less attractive to buy.