2018 December Newsletter

by Diamond Blue Financial Services | December 4, 2018

December is upon us and summer has arrived with bushfires in Queensland and flooding rains in NSW. Our best wishes go out to all those affected as well as our brave emergency services workers. And to all our clients, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

We would like to provide you with an update on the potential changes proposed by the Labor government which may occur in 2019. We have attempted to summarise the current situation and their potential implications.

Franking Credits

Beginning on 1st July 2019 the Labor party has proposed changes to the dividend imputation system involving the removal of refundable franking credits.

SMSF or super funds investing directly in Australian shares may not be able to receive franking credit refunds.
This will impact clients in pension phase the most, given excess franking credits are refunded to super funds that pay zero tax.
Recently changes have been made to recipients of Centrelink payment, making them exempt from these changes.
There also suggestions of capping the amount of franking credits an individual can receive, potentially resulting in less material changes.

Negative Gearing

A proposal to reduce negative gearing benefits.

Limiting negative gearing to new housing only has been made to commence in July 2019.
Losses from property or investments can only be used to offset gains from property or other investments but not salary income.
As the Labor party is taking a ‘grandfather’ position, any investments made prior to these changes will continue to receive the benefits of negative gearing.
These proposed changes would hurt existing investors who are looking to sell, as asset prices re-adjust under the scenario of zero negative gearing benefits.

Capital Gains Tax Discount

A proposal for 1st July 2019 has been made to halve the Capital gains tax discount from 50% to 25%.

Owners will need to pay more tax on their investments even if it is held by more than 12 months.
Investments made before this date and investments made by superannuation funds will be exempt to these changes.

Non-Concessional Contribution Cap

There has been a proposal to lower the non-concessional contributions cap from $100,000 to $75,000.

This will limit the amount individuals can save in their super accounts.

It is important to note that these changes will require Labor winning the next election and also pass through both the upper and lower house.

Please feel free to contact our office on 02 9223 0911 if you would like us to discuss this with you further.

Avoiding the holiday debt hangover

We’re coming up to the festive season and for all its fun and frivolity, it’s also a time when we loosen the purse strings to accommodate the excess.

We all know there’s nothing worse than starting the new year with unpaid debt. Making a solid plan for your silly season spend can make a big difference and will help you avoid a holiday debt hangover.

Psychology of the frenzy

The Christmas frenzy is pretty powerful. Even the biggest Scrooges in our midst can succumb. And it’s not hard to see why. We are bombarded with marketing from all corners at this time of year leading us to make purchases we normally wouldn’t without really giving them much thought. This can all be rather fun in the moment but can result in anxiety come January, when the credit card bill is due.

One way to manage this pressure to spend is to be aware of the psychological concepts marketers employ to turn a sale. Scarcity theory is a big one.i Creating the perception that an item is limited in some way is a great way to close a deal. And Christmas provides a line in the sand that few can resist.

There’s also the fact that the brain produces dopamine when it anticipates reward rather than upon receiving the reward itself.ii The hype and anticipation around Christmas provides a dopamine hit making it hard to resist the sensory overload of the decorations and carols when you hit the shops.

Remind yourself what it’s really about

The best way to counter this marketing frenzy is to remind yourself what Christmas is really about for you and your family. For most of us it’s reconnecting with our loved ones, sharing a meal, and finding some way to give back. This doesn’t have to be material in nature. There are plenty of ways to show someone you care that don’t involve expensive purchases. Giving someone your time, or lending them an ear, can often be so much more valuable.

Now’s also the time to have the chat about Christmas values with your children. Kids are particularly susceptible to the holiday hype. And if you want to maintain your budget and avoid the sulks come Christmas morning, setting some boundaries around what they can expect gift-wise can be helpful (Santa may have some limitations on what he can carry).

Avoid unnecessary debt accrual

The average Australian credit card holder spent $3,342 on plastic in December last year.iii Worryingly, many were unable to pay it back for months, often accruing unnecessary interest. Credit cards can be handy if used correctly. But you need to ensure you have the cashflow to meet your repayments. Having a holiday season budget will help here.

Another trend to be aware of is Afterpay. A bit like layby except you get the product immediately, for many it is a form of forced budgeting, but for others it can lead to making purchases they can’t afford, and the late repayment fees can really add up.

Cut the cloth accordingly

It’s important to remember everyone has different means and expectations around the festive season. There’s no point trying to keep up with the Joneses if it’s going to put a dampener on the rest of your summer. If, on the other hand, you’re one of the lucky ones who has the ways and means to live large at Christmas, remember not everyone does.

We call it the silly season for a reason. And there’s no harm in spending a bit more in December in the name of fun and family. We all have our limits however, and knowing yours could help you avoid a holiday hangover in the New Year.

Avoiding post-Christmas debt

Make a list (check it twice!)
Set a budget and stick to it
Shop around for the best deals
Watch the use of credit cards and Afterpay

i http://theconversation.com/the-psychology-of-christmas-shopping-how-marketers-nudge-you-to-buy-88011
ii https://www.theguardian.com/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2011/aug/11/1
iii https://www.news.com.au/finance/australians-are-being-warned-not-too-overspend-on-their-credit-cards-this-christmas/news-story/2cf080bfd59c545f9b9e34770c564f95

Protecting your family

The holidays are traditionally a time to relax and reflect on the importance of family. They are also an opportune moment to think about how you can care for and

protect your family all year round.

When you are enjoying the summer break with your loved ones, it can be hard to imagine anything could ever go wrong. But life is unpredictable, which is why life insurance is so important, particularly when you have people who depend on you.

Whether you are a young couple starting out, a growing family with kids at school and a mortgage, or empty nesters with debts to clear before retirement, having the right insurance cover could make a world of difference if the unthinkable happened.

Life insurance is not one product but many, to cover a range of needs. If you are unsure which cover is right for your family, begin by asking yourself a series of ‘what ifs’.

What if you get sick or injured and are unable to work?

You probably insure your car and your home, but the impact on your family is potentially much greater if you lose the ability to earn an income. Whether you are out of action for months or years, few families have enough savings to tide them over until you recover and return to work.

The solution is Income Protection insurance, also called Income Replacement or Salary Continuance cover. This replaces up to 75 per cent of your current income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Depending on the policy, it can cover you for short or long periods, sometimes up to age 65, after various waiting times.

What if you suffer a major illness?

The survival rates for critical illnesses such as heart attack, cancer and stroke are improving, but recovery can take a long time and the financial and emotional toll on your family can be high.

The solution is Trauma insurance, also called Critical Illness. This pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed or suffer one of a specific list of illnesses. You could use the money to reduce your working hours, spend time recovering with your family, or to pay for treatment, rehabilitation or a carer.

What if you become permanently disabled and unable to work?

A serious injury or illness can come out of the blue, leaving you unable to provide for your family. A government Disability Pension is unlikely to fully replace your previous salary. And the National Disability Insurance Scheme, while providing care packages, does not pay regular income or a lump sum.

The solution is Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance. This pays a lump sum which you can use to pay off debts, cover medical costs or invest to provide regular income to help maintain your family’s lifestyle.

What if you fall critically ill or die?

It’s a sad fact that any of us could be diagnosed with a terminal illness or die prematurely in an accident. If this happened to you, how would your partner and children cope emotionally and financially? The kids still need to be fed, clothed and educated, the mortgage or rent must be paid, and your partner may need time off work for extra caring duties, adding to the financial pressure. If you don’t have kids or they have left home, your partner could be left with a mortgage and other debts.

The solution is Life cover, also called Term Life or Death cover. This pays a lump sum on your death or the diagnosis of a terminal illness, allowing your family to focus on supporting each other, secure in the knowledge that the bills will be paid.

All these policies can be bought separately or bundled together as often happens with Death and TPD cover.

You may already be covered for some level of insurance via your super fund, however it might not be adequate for your needs. It’s important to have insurance that is tailored to your personal circumstances, that will protect your family’s financial and emotional well-being come what may. We are here to help.

Can you afford your dream retirement?

Planning your dream retirement can be an exciting time. The chance to travel overseas or around Australia without having to rush back to work, time to pursue new hobbies, learn a language or spend time with the grandkids. The possibilities are endless, but what will it cost?

Working out how much you will need to live the dream, and what you can afford will come down to a variety of factors. These include whether you own your home, the value of your superannuation and other investments, the return you earn on those investments and your spending patterns. You may also have a younger spouse who will be dependent on income from your investments after you die.

And that’s the big unknown, because none of us know how long we will live.

Plan for a long life

Today’s 65-year-olds can expect to live to an average age of 84.6 years for men and 87.3 for women, or roughly 20 and 22 years respectively in retirement. That’s a long time, and it’s only an average. Half will live longer than that.i

The challenge is to ensure your cash lasts the distance, however long that may be.

A good way to begin thinking about your retirement needs and working out a budget is to visit the ASFA Retirement Standard, where you will find detailed budgets for different households and living standards.ii

Adding up the costs

The ASFA Retirement Standard calculates that singles aged around 65 would need $27,425 a year to live a modest lifestyle while couples would need $39,442. A comfortable lifestyle would cost $42,953 for singles and $60,604 for couples.

To put this in perspective, the full age pension is currently $23,823.80 a year for singles and $35,916.40 for couples.iii As you can see, this does not stretch to ASFA’s modest budget, let alone a comfortable lifestyle, especially for pensioners who are paying rent or still paying off a mortgage.

Of course, everyone’s needs will be different. Some people may need to spend more on their health, while a contented gardener and homebody may need less money than a keen global traveller with a season ticket to opera, theatre or football.

It’s also important to recognise that your spending patterns are likely to change in predictable ways over the course of your retirement, determined by your health and mobility.

The three stages of retirement

Most people go through three phases of retirement.

The active years. In your 60s and 70s you finally have the flexibility to travel, spend time with the grandkids and pursue other interests. Expenditure is likely to be high, especially if overseas travel is high on your bucket list. You may also want to help your adult children financially.
Slowing down. At some point the joints get a little creaky, your mobility and activity decline as does your spending. Travel is closer to home, you may do some voluntary work and begin to live a little more frugally. Spending on health may increase and many will consider downsizing their home.
The frail years. Most of us hope to remain in our own homes, but many will spend our final years in residential aged care. This may be due to increased frailty, a sudden medical event or cognitive decline. Whatever the reason, spending on health and aged care are likely to increase significantly. While government subsidies may reduce the out-of-pocket costs, having savings will increase your options and access to high quality care at home or an aged card facility.

Seek professional help

Australians are living longer, healthier lives which means many of us can expect to enjoy almost as many years in retirement as we did in the workforce. And that requires careful financial planning.

Before you can set financial targets and investment objectives, you need to work out what your dream retirement might cost.

If you would like help to make your retirement dream a reality, give us a call.

i https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/7b986857-7b41-4aae-b7ff-eab57eb20f13/20457.pdf.aspx?inline=true
ii https://www.superannuation.asn.au/resources/retirement-standard
iii https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/age-pension/eligibility/payment-rates

Discounted Travel Insurance in time for your Christmas Holidays!

When planning your next holiday, keep in mind that you are eligible to receive discounted travel insurance via Fast Cover as part of our client discount program.

Discounted Travel Insurance with FastCover

Click here to access the travel insurance quote calculator.

Holiday Cyber Security

While Christmas holiday is a time to enjoy yourself, there are certain things to keep in mind in terms of cyber crime prevention and safety especially when travelling.

Use the following guideline to make your gadgets more secure.

Set a password, PIN, passcode or fingerprint that must be entered to unlock your device/s. Also ensure the device is set to automatically lock.
Install reputable security software that includes antivirus and antitheft/loss protection - your device's retailer or service provider can provide recommendations.
Leave Bluetooth turned off or in undiscoverable mode (hidden) when you are not using it.
Ensure your device does not automatically connect to new Wi-Fi networks without your confirmation.
Record the International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) of your handset. Your IMEI is a 15 or 17 digit number often printed on a label under the battery or found in the Settings under General information about your device. If your device is lost or stolen, report this number to your provider and they can stop the handset from being used.
Use public Wi-Fi networks wisely – for example, don’t key in email passwords or online banking passwords using these networks.
Think before you click. Do not open links or attachments unless you are expecting it and you trust the source. If in doubt, hovering over links often allows you to see the destination URL and you can decide if you recognise the website or email address – although URL shortening can make this difficult.

To read more about how to protect your personal information this, please click here.

Reference : Australian Government, Stay Smart Online

https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/protect-yourself/protect-your-stuff

Please note this information is of a general nature only and has been provided without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, we recommend you consider, with or without the assistance of a financial advisor, whether the information is appropriate in light of your particular needs and circumstances.

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