Benedict Davies is the Technical Services Manager of the Over Fifty Group. With a background in economics and public policy, he analyses government policy and its effects on investment strategies. He provides technical support to financial planners and writes strategy papers and backgrounders on financial planning issues. He is also an examiner and lecturer for the Financial Services Institute, and a member of their financial planning special interest group.

Changes announced in last year's Budget have removed some of the complications of pension planning. The Assets Test taper will be halved, increasing the number of people who are eligible for a part-pension, while the partial assets test exemption ... Read more

There were significant changes to aged care planning that came into effect last year. We look at the opportunities they create. Accommodation bond balances for accommodation bonds paid on entry to low level care (hostels) and extra service places in ... Read more

The Treasurer's 11th Budget was headlined by the announcement that the top two rates of tax are to be cut by 2 cents in the dollar and the tax brackets are to be uplifted. However, there were only minor changes to the Family Payments system. This ... Read more