SUPER

Avoid pension pitfalls with precise retirement planning

Max Newnham How can you work out if your investments will provide for you sufficiently in retirement?

GETTING AHEAD

Grow your fund through sacrifice

John Collett Latest government proposals are aimed at curtailing the tax breaks on super enjoyed by the well off.

YOUR QUESTIONS

Winter years need not be so taxing

George Cochrane Is it true that after a certain age, you do not have to submit a tax return? George Cochrane answers your questions.

Where can we put it?

It is a question that has probably crossed the minds of many people in their mid-life years who have some spare cash.

PLANNING

Find the right retirement vehicle

John Collett With people living longer, it's crucial to map out financial goals.

Grey nomads feeling sunny

Christine Long Asked to describe his idea of an enjoyable retirement, Robert Grover hardly hesitates. The 63 year old pictures a comfortable home, spending time with his three sons, taking his wife Margaret to...

Wealthy solutions

David Potts Life has a lot of trial and error to it so it's good to know that building wealth comes with instructions.

Pulse check on private health costs

Lesley Parker Leading health fund Medibank has called for ''lighter touch'' regulation of premiums, arguing that allowing insurers to compete more freely on price would help rein in future increases.

Pension labyrinth

The first question everybody asks on facing retirement is, ''how much do I need?''

Annual check-up: review your health cover

Barbara Drury Try this quick quiz. Does your private health insurance policy cover you for an emergency ambulance ride to hospital? Are you covered if you fall on or off the sporting field and need a knee...

A master plan for lifelong prosperity

Age matters. When it comes to your finances, there are endless rules, benefits, tricks and traps based on how old you are. Many rules are confusing and inconsistent.

Privacy piracy: how your data is used

Lesley Parker On the one hand, we're urged to keep our personal data secure so we don't fall victim to identify theft; on the other, we're regularly required to pass across the counter - or the internet -...

Health insurers on a roll as 52% get cover

Jessica Wright More than half of Australians now have private health insurance.

Find a balance to get ahead

Lesley Parker Like overstretched European governments, we should all be thinking about how we're going to balance the books a bit better this year.

The pitfalls of owning property

George Cochrane A small self-managed super fund is not the best vehicle to use for owning a second house.

George Cochrane

Offset to ensure debt-free future

George Cochrane When it comes to planning for retirement, paying off a mortgage should be the cornerstone of security, writes George Cochrane.

Should you drop your health cover?

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon Changes in the tax rebate for private health cover mean holding insurance is about to cost more.

In need of serious cover?

Harriet Alexander Though often overlooked, trauma insurance can take the financial pressure off your family in an emergency.

Used cars and the GST

Business Maxims There are many ways in which tax can affect a small business. In addition to income tax, the effect of the Goods and Services Tax must be taken into consideration when both buying and selling...

Poor policy choices can blow your cover

Bina Brown It pays to shop around for insurance but make sure you know what you're buying into.