To compare one investment against another it is important to compare like, and on a post-tax basis. With so many different investment vehicles (companies, trusts, superannuation, personal name), and the different tax treatments of both income and capital gains (for example, franking credits and discounted gains) it is important that tax implications are considered at every step of the investment process.

Connecting with our team enables you to better scan the marketplace for investment opportunities.

Most people think of Centrelink as they become older (as they consider the Age Pension, for example). This approach leaves little room for potential planning opportunities. Say you have a property that you may wish to transfer to your children, then this needs to be done well before 5 years prior to claiming an Age Pension.

Otherwise you will find that it continues to be assessed under the ‘Asset’ test and treated under the current gifting rules where you are only able to gift ‘$10,000 per annum’ and no more than $30,000 over a 5 year period. What most people don’t realise is that Centrelink will want details of any assets that you may have gifted in the last five years prior to claiming. Some other potential planning opportunities to boost your eligibility for a Centrelink entitlement can be purchasing an annuity or funeral bond. Also remember, you only need to be in receipt of $1 of Age Pension to then receive the ‘Pensioner Concession’ card which then entitles you to discounts on car registration, rates, drivers licence, electricity, phone and the prescribed benefit system.

Money enables the lifestyle you want. The most important question is not about your money, it’s about your life. What do you want to do with your life?

One review a year is not enough. The days of buying and holding a portfolio without regular, proactive management are gone. The world is changing. Rapidly. Companies and managers you invest in need to keep up with the changes. We structure our advice using regular portfolio reviews to allow your money to be more responsive.

Know more to plan better. The more you understand, the better decisions you can make. With Cooper Wealth, you won’t get lost in the jargon.

Get the basics right. Doing a spending diary, clarifying fixed and lifestyle expenses, tracking income versus expenses, automating payments to make life easy and sticking to your plan. There’s never a reason to discard basic financial management.

How much superannuation is enough to retire on? We find the superannuation providers best suited to you.

How much cover do you really need? What are the right products that cover the risks you’re most concerned about? We clarify the confusing market (after all, there are many different types of insurance cover: Life insurance, TPD, trauma, income protection, business continuance). We discuss the  most affordable long term solution – this often means a balance of different policies, designed to be scaled during different phases of your life.