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Noel Whittaker

Check pension outcomes when making a will

Where both husband and wife are elderly and receiving an age pension, the structure of the will can significantly improve the pension and personal outcomes on the death of either person.

The journey is more important than the destination

We may prefer a fast pay off but a long-term approach to investing will result in a less stressful journey and a more successful outcome.

Most housing affordability plans are a waste

Noel responds to Chris doubting it is possible to take the heat out of the market with tax changes, but he’s fine if the 50% CGT discount does not kick in for at least five years.

Don't ignore tax deductions on contributions

Under the new superannuation rules from 1 July 2017, how do salary sacrifice and the tax deductibility of super contributions work, separately or together? Don't overlook this super opportunity.

When age pensions were not welfare

It should be no surprise that many older Australians believe they have an entitlement to the age pension. Like an early version of the superannuation guarantee, pensions were once directly funded by personal tax.

How Canberra explained super changes to me

A conversation with Government officials on the proposed super changes shows there is some logic behind those numbers.

Latest Updates

Superannuation

Are you making these SMSF mistakes?

After four decades advising investors, there are a few common mistakes I've seen SMSF investors make. From holding too much cash and chasing yield to overtrading and trusting tips. Are these errors costing you?

Retirement

Retirement spending is not one-size-fits-all

New data challenges the idea that Australians are underspending their super. The bigger issue may be helping retirees navigate complexity, make confident decisions and use their savings to support security, wellbeing and choice.

Taxation

The missing link in the CGT debate

A little-noticed consequence of Labor’s tax changes could have implications well beyond investors’ tax bills. The issue raises bigger questions about incentives, capital allocation and the drivers of long-term economic growth.

Investment strategies

The surprising beneficiaries of the AI boom

While markets obsess over AI winners, a larger, more predictable growth engine is forming. A surge in electricity demand and infrastructure build‑out reveals the quiet, durable assets evolving beneath the AI story.

Superannuation

When losses in super become irreplaceable

The notion of 'you can afford more risk' assumes that losses can be replaced. Above a $2.1 million super balance the law says otherwise, and a worked example shows the refill takes decades, or never happens.

Retirement

Why I object to ‘hitting a number’ for retirement

Many investors dream of “hitting their number” and walking into retirement. But what if reaching that milestone is the moment they should be asking the tough questions? After all, there's a lot more to life than a high portfolio value. 

Planning

Does your will qualify for the discretionary testamentary trust exemption?

Treasury has confirmed the exemption many families were hoping for. But buried in the fine print are two conditions that could leave some wills on the wrong side of the exemption, despite years of careful planning.

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