There are numerous income support payments and allowances payable by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), each with their own set of qualification rules and thresholds.The article provides a snapshot of the more common income support payments ... Read more

With the introduction of term allocated pensions (TAPs), introduced in September 2004, the strategy of converting existing retirees' allocated pension arrangements into a combination of TAPs and allocated pensions is becoming increasingly common ... Read more

The recent Federal Budget 2005 has given the superannuation and retirement income industry a significant boost with proposed tax cuts, abolition of the superannuation surcharge and superannuation split between spouses. The intended beneficiaries are ... Read more

A term allocated pension has its own set of complexities. An understanding of how a TAP works, the implications on social security and RBLs and the strategies that can be applied may mean the TAP could have a core place in a client's retirement ... Read more

Without precedents to follow, the implementation of FSR has been driven by legal interpretations of the legislation.There is a need for a more practical approach to the production of Statements of Advice (SoA) when providing to clients recommendations ... Read more

This paper focuses on how bond investments can assist financial planners meet all their clients' objectives by incorporating bonds into their client's financial planning strategies. Bonds offer investors a tax paid investment vehicle which is ... Read more

Examining the business of self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) investing in Property from which the members can run their business. Over the last couple of years, one of the issues giving rise to technical queries for advisers with SMSF clients ... Read more

This paper explores the planning issues and resulting opportunities from the superannuation rule changes effective 1 July 2004, including the following: No work test for under age 65 contributors All people aged under 65 are now free to make super contributions ... Read more

This article looks at the window of opportunity for self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) to commence the payment of a defined benefit pension on or before 30 June 2005. Superannuation law was amended in the May 2004 Federal Budget to stop small ... Read more

Understanding the various provisions for life insurance and death benefits under the tax act can minimise a Self Managed Super-annuation Fund's (SMSF) taxable income, maximise payments and ensure the correct reporting and taxing of death benefits. ... Read more

In July 2004 the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) issued draft determination TD2004/ D22.This draft determination presented a view that tax advice given in a non-representational capacity,which was incidental to another service or advice, would not ... Read more