120 Days of War
The war in Ukraine has now entered its fifth month and the ripple effects are increasing right around the globe. In Australia we have seen significant increases in the cost of living, rising interest rates, falling house prices and negative returns from both the share market and the bond market.
Not a time to set and forget
Markets have been volatile recently. In the last month alone the Australian share market has fallen around 6%. There’s so much uncertainty now; the Ukraine war, the ongoing Covid pandemic, and now systemic global inflation and rising interest rates.
Markets hate this uncertainty. So, what should retirees be doing to protect their retirement incomes?
Spending in retirement
There are lots of uncertainties when it comes to retirement. While most Australians are working longer, we’re also living longer, so our retirement is longer. In fact, for some of us, retirement can span a period of 30 or 40 years.
A lot can happen in 40 years and it can be difficult to know how much we can afford to spend. How do we balance spending today, and still be responsible for the future?
Secret to Happiness
Over the course of our careers we have helped hundreds, maybe even thousands of local people plan for retirement. Most settle into retirement successfully and enjoy higher life satisfaction as they age. But we have also seen some retirees really struggle with retirement, and never recover their sense of identity outside of their career.
So, what’s the secret to living well in retirement? And is there anything we can do to increase our happiness?
Nothing to see: Making sense of the inflation spike
If you’ve been watching the financial news over the past week, you will know that Australia’s inflation rates have now peaked to a 13-year high.
What does that mean for retirees, and should we be doing anything to protect the purchasing power of our nest eggs?
Federal Budget: What, me worry?
This year’s Federal Budget is a socially responsible, big spending one aimed at embedding the economic recovery. With interest rates already set at emergency levels, it makes sense for Treasury to step up and stimulate the economy.
But that big spending will come at a cost to future generations as the ballooning debt will eventually need to be repaid.
Message to Big Super: Stick to your Knitting
Social impact investing has gone mainstream. More than half the super funds and investment managers around the world are now incorporating social and sustainability factors into their investment decisions. But is that really the purpose of super? And have super fund members given permission to use their lifetime savings in this way? Recent research suggests not.
Good vibrations: Three signs of quality advice
It’s hard to find a financial adviser you can trust. And even if you do, it’s almost impossible for most people to judge the quality of the advice they receive.
Federal Budget: What about me?
Retirees and people actively planning for their retirement may be forgiven for thinking that they have missed out. That there is little in this year’s Budget to benefit them personally. But scratch beneath the surface, and we see that retirees may actually benefit most.
How much do I need to retire?
Most pre-retirees fear running out of money in retirement more than anything else. That’s why, as retirement specialists, the most common question we’re asked is, “How much do I need to retire?”