We know superannuation can seem boring, but putting good strategies in place now could make a big difference to your future. And getting your super sorted doesn't need to be time consuming or hard work. Here are some quick and easy tips to help get you on your way.
1. Find lost super
Did you know that there's more than $13 billion of lost super in Australia? That's a lot of money and there's a chance some of it's yours. It's easy to search for your money via SuperSeeker, the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) online search tool. After all, if you lost a $100 note, you'd spend at least a few minutes looking for it, so why not spend a little time finding your lost super? Go to www.ato.gov.au and follow the links to SuperSeeker to search for your lost super.
2. Consolidate yoru super and save on fees
And once you've found any lost super, don't burden yourself with multiple fees and bundles of paperwork by having several super funds. It makes sense to roll it all into one super fund. Fewer fees and less paperwork!
3. Exercise your right to choose
So now that you have all your super in one place, make sure you choose where it's invested. Super funds nowadays have many different investment options that members can choose from. So no matter what stage of life you're at or what your investment goals are, your super fund will have an investment option that's right for you. Alternatively, speak to your financial adviser for professional help and they'll be able to assist you in deciding on an investment option that suits your needs.
4. Make the most of profesional advisers with the right expertise
After you've done all this, and if you'd still like an extra helping hand getting your super sorted, why not use the professional services of a financial adviser from Intellichioce? For a completely low fee, our team of qualified financial planners can help you grow your wealth and help you get on track to a comfortable financial future. Call 1300 55 10 45 for an obligation free financial meeting with one of our financial advisers.
5. Ensure you're insured
Life insurance is unlikely to be a big priority if you don't have a family, but what would happen if you couldn't work due to injury? You probably have insurance cover as part of your super, but you should check that it's enough. It's also worth noting that income protection premiums are generally cheaper if taken out through your super, but again, make sure that it's enough and meets your requirements.
For financial advice on superannuation or insurance, speak to a financial planner at Intellichoice today on 1300 55 10 45 or visit www.intellichoice.com.au for details on the various services offered.
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Bank fees cost $50/week
Bank fees are costing the average Australian about $50 per week. Even low income earners, (on $50,000 and below) are paying about $30 per week in bank fees and charges.
According to new research from the Australia Institute, in 2009, the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank and ANZ racked up $35 billion in profit. Bank charges were being passed on by businesses in their prices to customers and could be costing households more than $50 a week.
In the year to September 2009, banks earned fees and commissions worth $19.829 billion. The Australian Bankers Association disputed much of the report and said bank profits were largely derived from superannuation, insurance, institutional transactions, and offshore activity.
According to new research from the Australia Institute, in 2009, the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank and ANZ racked up $35 billion in profit. Bank charges were being passed on by businesses in their prices to customers and could be costing households more than $50 a week.
In the year to September 2009, banks earned fees and commissions worth $19.829 billion. The Australian Bankers Association disputed much of the report and said bank profits were largely derived from superannuation, insurance, institutional transactions, and offshore activity.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Flood insurance
Major floods across Australia in the past couple of years have raised strong community concerns about the extent and availability of cover for flood damage in house and contents insurance policies. The effects of flood can be devastating and may result in the loss of homes or in extensive water damage to buildings and contents. It is therefore vital that consumers understand exactly what their insurance policies do and do not cover.
Most home and contents insurance policies exclude cover for flood damage - this exclusion must be made clear in the policy documents. However, your home insurance policy will probably cover you for stormwater and possibly rainwater damage. Insurance companies generally define these events differently. It is imperative that you check with your insurance company if you are unsure whether your existing policy covers damage caused by storm and/or flood. Ask them to clearly explain that part of your insurance policy where flood cover, or flood exclusion, is contained. This will allow you to work out whether to change your insurance policy if you need insurance for flood damage.
It has become common for some insurers to provide cover against ' flash flooding', that is, when the damage to your property occurs within 24 hours of the rain that caused the flood. This cover may be optional (you have to pay more, and it may only cover you for a smaller amount eg 20% of the sum insured).
If you would like to find out more about home and contents insurance that includes flood, speak to one of our financial advisors on 1300 55 10 45 for more details.
Most home and contents insurance policies exclude cover for flood damage - this exclusion must be made clear in the policy documents. However, your home insurance policy will probably cover you for stormwater and possibly rainwater damage. Insurance companies generally define these events differently. It is imperative that you check with your insurance company if you are unsure whether your existing policy covers damage caused by storm and/or flood. Ask them to clearly explain that part of your insurance policy where flood cover, or flood exclusion, is contained. This will allow you to work out whether to change your insurance policy if you need insurance for flood damage.
It has become common for some insurers to provide cover against ' flash flooding', that is, when the damage to your property occurs within 24 hours of the rain that caused the flood. This cover may be optional (you have to pay more, and it may only cover you for a smaller amount eg 20% of the sum insured).
If you would like to find out more about home and contents insurance that includes flood, speak to one of our financial advisors on 1300 55 10 45 for more details.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Do you have appropriate insurance cover to meet your family needs if anything happens to you?
By world standards, Australians are financially sophisticated. Between us we have almost one trillion dollars invested in superannuation and one of the highest rates of share ownership in the world.
But did you know that:
- In 2009, over 9,000 Australians will be diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. That’s one every hour
- Every year, 8,000 Australians discover they have melanoma, and 1,000 die each year. Australian five year survival rates are the highest in the world
- Yesterday, 32 women were told they have breast cancer. 32 women will be told today…and tomorrow...Approximately 88% will survive
- Heart disease affects 2 out of 3 families
- 400 Australians are paralysed by spinal cord injury each year. Their average age is 25. Long-term care costs exceed $500 million annually
- An estimated 106,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year
- Each year, around 4,400 parents with dependent children die
a stroke occurs in Australia every 11 minutes, resulting in 48,000 strokes each year
Unfortunately, many Australians don't think that any of the above could apply to them. Studies have found that around 80% of Australians are underinsured. Don't take the risk. If you had an accident and were not able to work, or if you died due to some unforeseen event, your partner and family would be faced with the burden of debt.
Research on Australian attitudes to life insurance also revealed some startling information about the Aussie psyche.
But did you know that:
- In 2009, over 9,000 Australians will be diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. That’s one every hour
- Every year, 8,000 Australians discover they have melanoma, and 1,000 die each year. Australian five year survival rates are the highest in the world
- Yesterday, 32 women were told they have breast cancer. 32 women will be told today…and tomorrow...Approximately 88% will survive
- Heart disease affects 2 out of 3 families
- 400 Australians are paralysed by spinal cord injury each year. Their average age is 25. Long-term care costs exceed $500 million annually
- An estimated 106,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year
- Each year, around 4,400 parents with dependent children die
a stroke occurs in Australia every 11 minutes, resulting in 48,000 strokes each year
Unfortunately, many Australians don't think that any of the above could apply to them. Studies have found that around 80% of Australians are underinsured. Don't take the risk. If you had an accident and were not able to work, or if you died due to some unforeseen event, your partner and family would be faced with the burden of debt.
Research on Australian attitudes to life insurance also revealed some startling information about the Aussie psyche.
- 41% would sell the family home
- 47% would look to the broader family for financial support.
- 49% said that their partner would have to go back to work or continue to work
- 63% would use their superannuation
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sleep better at night with the right financial advice
Do you want financial advice that suits your needs?
Seeking financial advice from a professional financial planner can make a huge difference to your financial future. They can help you make financial decisions to give you peace of mind.
Good advice advice from an experienced, qualified and well-informed financial advisor can help you save money, protect against risk, grow your wealth, reduce tax, plan for retirement, identify entitlements for government benefits and plan what inheritance is to be left for the next generation.
At Intellichoice Financial Planning, our first responsibility is to you. We will take into account your goals and circumstances and recommend an appropriate financial strategy. Any financial strategies we recommend is in your best interests and not based on commission.
Do you want to be worth over a million dollars?
Everyone has some kind of financial goal and it doesn't hurt to aim high. Think about it - what sort of lifestyle do you want in the future? What are your priorities? What do you need to achieve? Start by deciding what you want to achieve and how long it might take to get there and we will sit with you to advise on the best way to attain those goals.
Do you want peace of mind that your famimly is secure, whatever happens?
Unexpected events, like losing your job because of illness or injury, or losing your home in a fire, can have a disastrous impact, which goes far beyond the immediate problem. Your family could be financially ruined, losing the standard of living you've worked so hard to achieve.
Having the right protection will safeguard your financial safety, as well as your family and your assets. If in doubt, speak to one of the financial planners at Intellichoice - we will do all the reserch for you and find a policy that suits your needs.
Do you want to turn the tables on the taxman?
No one likes to pay more tax than they need to and there are a number of strategies you can employ to get the most out of your tax rebate, including super co-contributions, salary sacrificing, investment property and other investment expenses.
There may be even more that may apply based on your specific situation and you should speak to Intellichoice to find out the best ways to manage and reduce your tax payable.
Do you want to feel like there's never a bill you can't pay?
Being able to pay bills without going into more debt is a tough call if you're spending more than you earn - and it's surprising how many people do! The best way to find 'extra' money is to follow a budget. Use the free budgeting calculator for a better understanding on where you can cut down on unnecessary expenses.
For more tips and assistance on budgeting, speak to one of our financial advisors at 1300 55 10 45 or email us directly.
Do you want to retire and live the life you have always dreamed of?
The biggest question most of us ask is - how much money will I need for a comfortable retirement? Naturally, this depends on how long you live and how you want to live.
Deciding how much to keep in super (to save tax and access Government benefits) is part of the equation. But be sure to keep enough for emergencies and day-to-day expenses. The rules are complex and can be expensive for those who get it wrong, so make sure you get professional financial advice.
We have some very unique and innovative cost-effective financial solutions, which means you could effectively pay very little for any financial advice you receive through Intellichoice when compared to industry standard. This gives everyone, regardless of age and income, the chance to achieve financial freedom and live the life you truly deserve.
Financial planning is not reserved just for the rich. Speak to us today to find out how you too can have the opportunity to enjoy financial freedom. If you are keen to find out more, speak to us at 1300 55 10 45 or the financial planning website more details on our services.
Seeking financial advice from a professional financial planner can make a huge difference to your financial future. They can help you make financial decisions to give you peace of mind.
Good advice advice from an experienced, qualified and well-informed financial advisor can help you save money, protect against risk, grow your wealth, reduce tax, plan for retirement, identify entitlements for government benefits and plan what inheritance is to be left for the next generation.
At Intellichoice Financial Planning, our first responsibility is to you. We will take into account your goals and circumstances and recommend an appropriate financial strategy. Any financial strategies we recommend is in your best interests and not based on commission.
Do you want to be worth over a million dollars?
Everyone has some kind of financial goal and it doesn't hurt to aim high. Think about it - what sort of lifestyle do you want in the future? What are your priorities? What do you need to achieve? Start by deciding what you want to achieve and how long it might take to get there and we will sit with you to advise on the best way to attain those goals.
Do you want peace of mind that your famimly is secure, whatever happens?
Unexpected events, like losing your job because of illness or injury, or losing your home in a fire, can have a disastrous impact, which goes far beyond the immediate problem. Your family could be financially ruined, losing the standard of living you've worked so hard to achieve.
Having the right protection will safeguard your financial safety, as well as your family and your assets. If in doubt, speak to one of the financial planners at Intellichoice - we will do all the reserch for you and find a policy that suits your needs.
Do you want to turn the tables on the taxman?
No one likes to pay more tax than they need to and there are a number of strategies you can employ to get the most out of your tax rebate, including super co-contributions, salary sacrificing, investment property and other investment expenses.
There may be even more that may apply based on your specific situation and you should speak to Intellichoice to find out the best ways to manage and reduce your tax payable.
Do you want to feel like there's never a bill you can't pay?
Being able to pay bills without going into more debt is a tough call if you're spending more than you earn - and it's surprising how many people do! The best way to find 'extra' money is to follow a budget. Use the free budgeting calculator for a better understanding on where you can cut down on unnecessary expenses.
For more tips and assistance on budgeting, speak to one of our financial advisors at 1300 55 10 45 or email us directly.
Do you want to retire and live the life you have always dreamed of?
The biggest question most of us ask is - how much money will I need for a comfortable retirement? Naturally, this depends on how long you live and how you want to live.
Deciding how much to keep in super (to save tax and access Government benefits) is part of the equation. But be sure to keep enough for emergencies and day-to-day expenses. The rules are complex and can be expensive for those who get it wrong, so make sure you get professional financial advice.
We have some very unique and innovative cost-effective financial solutions, which means you could effectively pay very little for any financial advice you receive through Intellichoice when compared to industry standard. This gives everyone, regardless of age and income, the chance to achieve financial freedom and live the life you truly deserve.
Financial planning is not reserved just for the rich. Speak to us today to find out how you too can have the opportunity to enjoy financial freedom. If you are keen to find out more, speak to us at 1300 55 10 45 or the financial planning website more details on our services.
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