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Edition: 487

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Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 487 with weekend update

  • 8 December 2022
  • 2

The Pareto Principle suggests 80% of outcomes result from 20% of all causes for any given event. When applied to our financial well-being, there are only a handful of key decisions that will likely shape our success or otherwise.

Pivoting from high inflation to global recession

For the world’s central banks, the second half of 2022 has been dominated by addressing ‘today’s problem’ of high inflation. In 2023, the banks will switch focus to 'tomorrow's problem': global growth and unemployment.

Why have bond fund distributions been shrinking?

The momentous rise in government bond yields since last year has had one unexpected effect: shrinking income distributions. This may be surprising given bond managers have been able to reinvest at progressively higher yields.

Three retirement risks and how to navigate them

More than 20% of Australians believe they won’t achieve their desired retirement standard of living. Three risks facing those who are nearing, or in, retirement are outlined here - and several ways to mitigate these risks.

A fine effort in a game of fine margins, but where to now?

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Australia performed well above the expectations of everyone except the coach, Graham Arnold, who convinced the players to believe. But the local A-League has been here before. Can it kick on? 

12 tips for ‘aged care season’

The festive season is often the time that families notice Mum or Dad or both might need some extra care. Here are tips to navigate difficult conversations around aged care and how to best prepare for the transition.

Why emerging markets have reached an inflexion point

Emerging markets have been out of favour with investors. But the current sell-off is approaching its end just as global demand for ‘transition’ metals takes off, and that means emerging markets may be ready to take off.

SMSF trustees who question their capacity and look for options

An aging couple who question their ability to run their own fund look for ways to manage the next step - but without children to assist what can they do? There are potential solutions using NSW Trustee and Guardian.

Most viewed in recent weeks

Why spending more in early retirement can improve lifetime income

Conventional wisdom encourages retirees to preserve superannuation. But if those likely to qualify for the Age Pension later in life spend a little more today, it may deliver higher lifetime income and a more stable retirement.

Testamentary trusts have secured the CGT exemption

Treasury’s latest CGT reform draft delivers a win for testamentary trusts and deceased estates, exempting estate-derived gains from the 30% floor. However, questions on death and divorce rollovers remain unresolved.

Meg on SMSFs: What do we think about reversionary pensions these days?

Reversionary pensions have long been a staple of SMSF estate planning, but are they still the best option? Meg Heffron revisits a once-clear favourite and asks whether changing super rules have shifted the balance.

Is it time to bail on Australian stocks?

For generations, Australian investors have backed banks, miners and dividends. But has that loyalty come at a cost? A look at the numbers raises an uncomfortable question about where future returns will come from.

Testamentary trusts survived the trust tax. The drafting battle has just begun.

The fight over testamentary trusts looked settled. Then the draft legislation arrived. Hidden in a technical detail is a question that could force many families to rethink wills they thought were already future-proof.

How does the 4% rule stack up?

The 4% rule has long been retirement's gold standard. But after a difficult period for investors, fresh analysis suggests a more conservative approach may significantly improve the chances of making savings last.

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