Seniors rental housing

Posted on March 16, 2015June 25, 2018 by christine

Seniors rental housing By Christine Hopper On retirement affordable seniors rental housing could be hard to find. Who is looking for seniors rental housing After retirement, private sector tenants might not be able to afford the rent for the home they had leased for many years. The rent required for a nice home unit in Read more about Seniors rental housing[…]

Pensioner Homeowner principal residence exemption

Posted on January 3, 2015June 25, 2018 by christine

Pensioner Homeowner principal residence exemption by Christine Hopper Pensioner Homeowner principal residence exemption for one land Title The DVA and Centrelink homeowner principal residence exemption applies only to your principal residence and the first two hectares of land covered by the single land Title that your home is on. For pension assessment purposes, your assets include real estate Read more about Pensioner Homeowner principal residence exemption[…]

Granny flat independent advice

Posted on October 22, 2014June 25, 2018 by christine

Granny flat independent advice by Christine Hopper A granny flat arrangement is an option for those who promised Mum that they would never put her into an old people’s home. But now that she is frail and confused she cannot stay on her own. Having Mum come to live with you long term could be Read more about Granny flat independent advice[…]

Financial year end gifting

Posted on June 13, 2014June 26, 2018 by christine

Financial year end gifting By Christine Hopper Gifting can be a pleasure for both the donor and the gift recipient. Gifts generally reduce the asset base of the donor. Some gifts also reduce the ‘assets’ of a Centrelink or DVA Pensioner. The ATO allows for gifts to some charitable causes to be deducted from your Read more about Financial year end gifting[…]

Age Pensioners permanently departing Australia

Centrelink Benefits for Seniors Absent from Australia

Posted on January 28, 2014June 26, 2018 by christine

Centrelink Benefits for Seniors Absent from Australia by Christine Hopper Centrelink administers the Social Security benefit arrangements for Australian residents in constrained financial circumstances. Centrelink benefits continue for seniors absent from Australia temporarily but with some exceptions. Therefore you need to check your Centrelink entitlements as part of your travel plans. If you are moving Read more about Centrelink Benefits for Seniors Absent from Australia[…]

Centrelink early retirement benefits

Posted on January 9, 2014June 26, 2018 by christine

If I retire now could I get any Centrelink early retirement benefits? by Christine Hopper Your eligibility for Centrelink early retirement benefits depends on your age, your personal circumstances and your financial resources and other assets. Remember Centrelink administers the Social Security Act which is about providing support to long term Australian residents in constrained Read more about Centrelink early retirement benefits[…]

Private company and family trusts in Pension means tests

Posted on December 2, 2013June 26, 2018 by christine

Private company and family trusts in Pension means tests by Christine Hopper The inclusion of private company and family trusts in Pension means tests surprises many seniors. Small businesses and farmers often own their business assets and investments within a private company or family trust structure. Ownership of the shares in the private company could Read more about Private company and family trusts in Pension means tests[…]

Age Pension Age Increases

Posted on August 15, 2013May 24, 2017 by christine

Social Security Age Pension Age Increases By Christine Hopper To qualify for the Australian Age Pension applicants must have attained their Age Pension Age. The Age Pension Age for men has been age 65 years since the Age Pension started early last century. The Age Pension Age for women has now increased to be the same as Read more about Age Pension Age Increases[…]

Aged care residents enrolled to vote

Posted on August 6, 2013January 4, 2017 by christine

Aged care residents enrolled to vote by Christine Hopper Help is available for aged care residents enrolled to vote when their minds are still strong but their bodies are frail. Aged care residents enrolled to vote are expected to cast their votes at the Federal election. To simplify life, temporary mobile polling stations visit many aged Read more about Aged care residents enrolled to vote[…]

Home in Retirement

Posted on May 16, 2013June 26, 2018 by christine

A place to call home in retirement By Christine Hopper Many long term renters delay retiring from full time paid work. How could I afford to continue paying my rent without a regular full-time wage? The unspoken fear could be, “I might be without a home in retirement”. The good news is that you can rent Read more about Home in Retirement[…]

Commissions on financial products

Posted on April 24, 2013July 9, 2018 by christine

Commissions on financial products By Christine Hopper In the beginning the commissions on financial products were not disclosed to the customer. Long ago financial products were sold to consumers. A glossy brochure illustrated the great features of the product and the small print mentioned the fees and charges. The insurance salesman offered ‘unit linked’ investment contracts Read more about Commissions on financial products[…]

Personal Circumstances at Centrelink or DVA

Posted on April 10, 2013June 26, 2018 by christine

Personal Circumstances at Centrelink or DVA by Christine Hopper The amounts of income support benefits available from Centrelink or DVA, depend on your Personal Circumstances at Centrelink or DVA. So what are “Personal Circumstances” at Centrelink and DVA? Your Personal Circumstances at Centrelink, or DVA, is based on your relationship with the people that you live Read more about Personal Circumstances at Centrelink or DVA[…]

Age Pensioner Work Bonus in Centrelink Income Test

Posted on February 22, 2013June 26, 2018 by christine

Age Pensioner Work Bonus in Centrelink Income Test by Christine Hopper The Age Pensioner Work Bonus in the Centrelink Income Test is to encourage Age Pensioners to continue their links to the paid workforce. The advantage of the Age Pensioner Work Bonus is that the first $250 per fortnight of income from employment is not counted Read more about Age Pensioner Work Bonus in Centrelink Income Test[…]

Disability Support Pension

Posted on February 8, 2013June 26, 2018 by christine

Disability Support Pension by Christine Hopper Centrelink pay the Disability Support Pension to Australian residents whose disabilities prevent them from earning. Eligibility for Disability Support Pension The Disability Support Pension is available to Australian residents who have attained age 16 years but not their Age Pension Age. A Disability Support Pensioner normally transfers to the Age Read more about Disability Support Pension[…]

Retail Interest Rates

Posted on December 18, 2012May 24, 2017 by christine

Retail Interest Rates for consumers or when is a ‘good deal’ too good to be true By Christine Hopper Retail interest rates represent the rate of interest that an individual lender expects to be paid for a loan. Bank interest on ‘at call’ accounts could be between nil for a cheque account and 4.5% per annum on the top Read more about Retail Interest Rates[…]

Granny flats for Pensioners

Posted on November 8, 2012August 5, 2020 by christine

Granny flats for Pensioners – Centrelink and DVA and granny flats By Christine Hopper When families provide granny flats for Pensioners then Centrelink, or DVA, become very interested in the ‘pensioner granny.’ A new pension means test assessment happens when an Age Pensioner, Disability Pensioner, DVA Service Pensioner or War Widow moves into a granny flat Read more about Granny flats for Pensioners[…]

Homeowner at Centrelink and DVA

Posted on October 23, 2012May 24, 2017 by christine

Homeowner at Centrelink and DVA By Christine Hopper Avid readers of Commonwealth Pension means testing charts notice that the Asset Test Allowances have different amounts for ‘homeowners’ and ‘non-homeowners’. So who is a homeowner at Centrelink and DVA? Homeowner Suburban Examples Mary still owns the family home situated well inside a standard block in suburbia. Read more about Homeowner at Centrelink and DVA[…]

Supported Residential Service or SRS

Posted on October 4, 2012May 24, 2017 by christine

Supported Residential Service or SRS Private Aged Care Homes By Christine Hopper What is Supported Residential Service or SRS? A Supported Residential Service or SRS, is like a guest house or private hotel, offering short or long term accommodation, all meals in a dining room and communal activities together with some personal support. Each Supported Residential Service or Read more about Supported Residential Service or SRS[…]

Pensions for Australian Veterans

Posted on September 11, 2012September 21, 2018 by christine

Service Pensions for Australian Veterans By Christine Hopper Veterans who actively served in roles where they were exposed to danger from the enemy in World War II or later conflicts, can apply to the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs (“DVA”) for a Service Pension. The Service Pension is of equivalent amount and subject to the Read more about Pensions for Australian Veterans[…]

Residential aged care for seniors in new relationships

Posted on August 23, 2012February 14, 2018 by christine

The complexities of aged care accommodation costs for Couples at Centrelink who met later in life By Christine Hopper James and Jenny exchanged the family home for a modest new townhouse near their adult children. James had only recently retired and when Jenny died suddenly. After a few years of living alone, James embarked on Read more about Residential aged care for seniors in new relationships[…]

Annuities – Income Streams

Posted on August 15, 2012February 14, 2018 by christine

Annuities – Income Streams By Christine Hopper Long ago annuities were purchased by healthy, wealthy seniors as a means of converting lump sums into extended lifetime income streams. These folk were paid annuities as income streams. Annuities are now being marketed to retirees, so what is an annuity and why would I buy one? The purchase of an annuity Read more about Annuities – Income Streams[…]

Low Income Health Care Card

Posted on August 1, 2012February 14, 2018 by christine

Early Retirees seeking help with Health Care Costs By Christine Hopper The Commonwealth ‘Low Income Health Care Card’ provides access to the Concession Rates for PBS prescriptions and Commonwealth funded bulk billing medical services similar to those available to Age Pensioners. Some State government and utility providers also offer concessions and/or discounts to holders of Read more about Low Income Health Care Card[…]

Full Centrelink Pension for legally blind residents

Posted on June 14, 2012February 14, 2018 by christine

Full Centrelink Pension for legally blind residents By Christine Hopper Centrelink pay the full Age or Disability Support Pension to residents who are ‘legally blind’. So who is legally blind and not just vision impaired? When we hear that someone is ‘blind’ we sometimes assume that the person has no vision. Sadly some people have Read more about Full Centrelink Pension for legally blind residents[…]

Take advantage of travel concessions to go out and about in winter

Posted on June 1, 2012May 24, 2017 by christine

Take advantage of travel concessions to go out and about in winter By Christine Hopper In the cooler darker months you could 1. Escape by travelling north and repeatedly alert friends to the warmth and beauty of Queensland 2. Hibernate and refuse to interact socially with anyone (OK for one day only, then move Read more about Take advantage of travel concessions to go out and about in winter[…]

Advance funding of your funeral

Posted on May 17, 2012June 27, 2018 by christine

Advance funding of your funeral Alas each of us will die eventually. A healthy lifestyle and advanced medical care might prolong life but the day will come eventually when our mortal bodies are worn out and just stop functioning. Is a funeral essential? Australian law requires that ‘human remains’ be treated with dignity. Thus your Read more about Advance funding of your funeral[…]

Age Pensions and Retirement Living Costs

Posted on April 2, 2012June 27, 2018 by christine

Age Pensions and Retirement Living Costs Who is eligible for the Pension? The Commonwealth provides a basic income to Australian residents who are considered unable to work full time on account of age or disability. The Age Pension for men aged 65 years and women aged 64 years and 6 months, and its financial equivalent: Read more about Age Pensions and Retirement Living Costs[…]

Buying into seniors paradise, but at what price?

Posted on March 27, 2012June 27, 2018 by christine

Buying into seniors paradise, but at what price? Signing up for your dream home in a retirement lifestyle community village means agreeing to buy a bundle of services in exchange for a package of fees and charges. You maybe enthralled by the offer of fully maintained recreational facilities: your own gym and swimming pool, a Read more about Buying into seniors paradise, but at what price?[…]

When should seniors move home?

Posted on March 16, 2012June 27, 2018 by christine

When should seniors move home? by Christine Hopper When should seniors move home? The time when seniors should move home is clear to the sellers of seniors lifestyle communities. Wisdom is recognising that the family home might soon be inappropriate for your needs and having the courage to sell up and buy into ‘seniors friendly’ accommodation. But what Read more about When should seniors move home?[…]

Self funded retirees still want Pensioner Concession Cards

Posted on March 2, 2012June 27, 2018 by christine

Self funded retirees still want Pensioner Concession Cards It can be very disappointing for self funded retirees to find out that they are not entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card. The good news is that the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card can give self funded retirees who pass an income test the Commonwealth entitlements that Read more about Self funded retirees still want Pensioner Concession Cards[…]

Financial Care Services

Category: Lifestyle