Salus Private Wealth Logo

Latest News

SMSF professionals play critical role in Age Pension planning

With the recent ATO statistics indicating a significant proportion of SMSF members in retirement phase may be eligible for the Age Pension, Accurium has highlighted this as an important planning consideration.

Ahead of an upcoming webinar, Accurium technical services manager Melanie Dunn stated that ATO statistics as at the end of the June 2022 quarter show that over 41 per cent of all SMSF members were aged were aged 65 or older and may be considering their eligibility for Age Pension.

Ms Dunn noted that the Age Pension age has been steadily increasing over the past five years from 65 and will reach age 67 from 1 July 2023.

“A retiree must currently be at least 66 years and 6 months old to be of Age Pension age, and this is increasing on 1 July 2023 to 67 for those born on or after 1 January 1957,” she said in a recent online article.

Ms Dunn reminded advisers that a person’s entitlement to Age Pension, if they are eligible to apply, depends on their assets and income, whether they own their home and whether they are a member of a couple. The lower of the entitlement calculated under the Income Test and Assets Test is what a household would receive.  

“Whilst many SMSF retiree households may not be eligible for a full Age Pension, currently a home owning couple can have up to $935,000 in assessable assets, and a single up to $622,250 in assessable assets, and be entitled to at least a part Age Pension,” she noted.

“More SMSF retirees than you think may be entitled to the Age Pension.”

ATO statistics of SMSF member closing balances on 30 June 20203, she said, showed that around 65 per cent of all SMSF members in retirement phase had balances of $1 million or less, with just under 40 per cent of members having $500,000 or less.

“Obviously, all of a household’s assets, not just those in the SMSF, will count towards the Age Pension means tests, however this still indicates that many SMSF retirees may be eligible for some Age Pension,” she stated.

On 20 September 2022 the maximum Age Pension entitlement increased $38.90 to $1,026.50 a fortnight for singles and increased by $58.80 to $1,547.60 for couples (combined).

This was an increase of nearly 4 per cent on the March 2022 rates, said Ms Dunn, bringing the annual increase in maximum Age Pension to over 6 per cent.

“SMSF retirees who receive the Age Pension, either in part or in full, may see an increase in their Age Pension entitlements come through in their first payment after 20 September,” she said.

Given the complexity of the Age Pension rules and the fact that social security rules have changed over time, Ms Dunn said SMSF professionals play an important role in keeping retiree clients informed.

“Many SMSF retirees may believe they will never be entitled to an Age Pension or concession card. An expectation of receiving only a minimal amount, not knowing how to apply or if they are eligible, not wanting to ‘be on the Age Pension’, or simply avoiding the potential hassle of the application process, could all be reasons SMSF retirees may have decided not to apply for the Age Pension when they might otherwise be entitled to it,” she said.

One benefit of receiving even a small entitlement to Age Pension is the Pensioner Concession Card (PCC), said Ms Dunn.

“This is like the Commonwealth Seniors Healthcare Card but generally, the concessions are more widely available and significant than those available to CSHC holders,” she said.

“The PCC provides access to cheaper medicines, bulk billed doctor visits, help with hearing services, and depending on your client’s state or territory government and local council may also offer lower utility bills, property and water rates, public transport, vehicle registration and train fares.”

SMSF professionals can help their retiree clients, she said, by informing them about changes which may impact their Age Pension or other concession card eligibility and helping them seek further information or advice about accessing these valuable entitlements and concessions.

“An additional consideration as retirees age is their need for home or residential Aged Care and the complex rules around accessing that support,” she added.

 

 

 

By Legal
17 November 2022
smsfadviser.com

Latest News

Louise Laing

Louise founded Salus Private Wealth to offer high quality personal advice to clients who want to work closely with an adviser for the long term. Her philosophy that understanding each individual and their motivations and needs is key to an enduring and successful financial planning relationship is at the heart of the business.

She first engaged the services of a financial adviser herself when she was in her early 20s (long before becoming one) and believes the non-judgemental support and education about her position and options provided at this early stage has allowed her to make confident decisions in different aspects of life since then.

This confidence and positivity in making choices, financial or not, is what she wants to give to her clients.

Superannuation & Retirement

Superannuation is one of the largest and longest duration investments most people in Australia have, making it a critical part of long-term planning even if retirement feels like a distant objective. For those in the lead into retirement, we design strategies so you have peace of mind that when you start to draw on your retirement savings, you have liquidity and stability to support that.

Legislation and rules are changed regularly, so advice can help you take advantage of opportunities to build for the future. We are authorised to provide advice on and to SMSFs.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (02) 8044 3057 or email us at info@saluspw.com.au

Insurance

Protecting your wealth, lifestyle and family is high on the priority list for many clients and this is an area of advice need that can change very quickly. Ensuring you have the cover you need can give peace of mind that what’s important is taken care of in the event of illness, injury and death, but we also make sure over time you are not paying for cover you no longer need.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (02) 8044 3057 or email us at info@saluspw.com.au

Estate Planning

While talking about death doesn’t seem like a particularly appealing prospect, it’s a topic we see as a vital part of financial planning. Importantly, it’s a topic for every adult, regardless of their stage in life. Without a proper estate plan assets may not be passed where you’d like them to go, family conflict can ensue, and in the event you lose capacity there may not be an authority in place for the person you would choose to make those decisions for you to do so. While it can be an uncomfortable subject, we are experienced in facilitating these conversations as part of our advice process.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (02) 8044 3057 or email us at info@saluspw.com.au

Strategic Debt & Cashflow

Managing debt efficiently can have a material impact on your financial wellbeing and lifestyle. Having a solid plan to understand where your money goes and manage cashflow and debt can eliminate stress and set you on a positive path toward achieving your goals.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (02) 8044 3057 or email us at info@saluspw.com.au

Investments

Once we have a clear understanding of what we are aiming for and how you feel about taking on investment risk, we can help direct your funds into appropriate investments to meet your goals. This includes recommending the investment structure, consideration of tax implications, asset types, and putting together a suitable blend for you. You will have transparency of and access to view your investments, providing security.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (02) 8044 3057 or email us at info@saluspw.com.au

Aged Care

Aged care needs can arise suddenly. The complexity of managing this can be a significant challenge at a time when your focus should be on the person requiring care. We can assess the alternative funding options to ensure you make an informed choice in the best interests of the person requiring care.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (02) 8044 3057 or email us at info@saluspw.com.au

Tax Diary

General Calculators

 

Financial Videos

Secure File Transfer

Secure File Transfer is a facility that allows the safe and secure exchange of confidential files or documents between you and us.

Email is very convenient in our business world, there is no doubting that. However email messages and attachments can be intercepted by third parties, putting your privacy and identity at risk if used to send confidential files or documents. Secure File Transfer eliminates this risk.

Login to Secure File Transfer, or contact us if you require a username and password.

General Disclaimer

Website Disclaimer

The Trustee for Laing Weaver Family Trust T/A Salus Private Wealth (Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1305571) and all our advisers are Authorised Representatives of Finchley & Kent Pty Ltd, Australian Financial Services Licence No. 555169, ABN 50 673 291 079, and has its registered office at Level 63, 25 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000.

Finchley & Kent Pty Ltd Australian Financial Services Licence applies to financial products only. Please note that Property Investment, Tax & Accounting, Mortgages & Finance are not considered to be financial products.

Disclaimer: The information contained within the website is of a general nature only. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material, The Trustee for Laing Weaver Family Trust T/A Salus Private Wealth and Finchley & Kent Pty Ltd will not bear responsibility or liability for any action taken by any person, persons or organisation on the purported basis of information contained herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no person, persons or organisation should invest monies or take action on reliance of the material contained herein but instead should satisfy themselves independently of the appropriateness of such action.