Progressive Financial Solutions

Publication Centre

Div 293 Tax
Superannuation

What is Division 293 tax?

Division 293 tax is an additional 15% tax payable on concessional superannuation contributions (other than excess concessional contributions) made by or on behalf of high-income earners. Who

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Market and Economic Update

Presidential Election 2024

Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States on Wednesday 6th November ensuring an unlikely political comeback after being voted out of office

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Market and Economic Update

October 2024 Monthly Market Update

Key Themes: Equities retreated: Both Australian and international equities fell in October while the market faced the looming U.S. election and rising bond yields which

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Superannuation Contribution Caps
Superannuation

Superannuation Contribution Caps

Superannuation Contribution caps apply to both concessional contributions and non-concessional contributions. The contributions caps that currently apply are: Contribution Type Age 2024-2025 Cap Concessional Contributions

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Margin lending
Investments

Margin Lending

A margin loan can be used to borrow for investment in shares or managed funds using the investments as security for the loan. Margin Lending

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Superannuation Death Benefits
Superannuation

Superannuation Death Benefits

Dealing with Superannuation Death Benefits When a member of a superannuation fund passes away, their superannuation death benefit is cashed as soon as practicable. Depending

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Transition to Retirement
Retirement

Transition to Retirement Pension

Upon attaining the preservation age condition of release, you can commence a Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension with your superannuation funds with preserved benefits or

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Downsizer Super Contribution
Superannuation

Downsizer Contributions

From 1 July 2018 eligible people who sell their main residence may contribute up to $300,000 of the sale proceeds as a downsizer contribution to

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life insurance
Personal Insurance

Life Insurance

What is Life Insurance and How Does it Work? The most common type of cover is life insurance (term life insurance). A life insurance policy

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What is a Self Managed Super Fund
Superannuation

What is a Self Managed Super Fund

What is a Self Managed Super Fund A Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) is a superannuation fund with up to six members. SMSFs are generally established

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Account Based Pension
Retirement

Account Based Pensions

Superannuation can be used to start an account-based pension or an allocated pension once a person retires (or meets another condition of release). An Account

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What is an Offset Account
Debt Management

What is an Offset Account?

An Offset Account is technically a savings account linked to your mortgage / home loan and is works as a strategy to help pay down

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Income Protection Insurance
Personal Insurance

Income Protection Insurance

Income Protection insurance aims to minimise the financial impact of sickness or injury by replacing income lost during a prolonged absence from work. A monthly

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Managed Funds and Mutual Funds
Investments

Managed Funds

A managed fund, also known as mutual funds, is one type of ‘managed investment scheme’ (MIS), which is a professionally managed investment portfolio that pools

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Centrelink Assets Test
Social Security

Centrelink Assets Test

If you are eligible for a Centrelink/Veterans’ Affairs payment, including the Age Pension, how much you receive will depend on an asset and income test assessment.

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commonwealth seniors health care card
Social Security

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

What is the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card The Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card is a concession card to get cheaper health care and some discounts

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Binding Death Benefit Nomination
Superannuation

Binding Death Benefit Nominations

Many superannuation funds allow their members to make a binding death benefit nomination. Trustees of a superannuation fund to act per a valid nomination, in the

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Power of Attorney
Estate Planning

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows another person to undertake specified activities on your behalf. This person should be someone you

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Estate Planning

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for distributing your assets after your death. It will only deal with assets that end

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Aged Care
Guides

2024-25 Aged Care Guide

Aged Care If you’re no longer able to continue living independently in your own home, you may need to move into a residential aged care

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Centrelink Age Pension Income Test
Social Security

Centrelink Income Test

If you are eligible for a Centrelink/Veterans’ Affairs payment, such as the Age Pension, how much you receive depends on an income and assets test assessment. The

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Market and Economic Update

August 2024 Monthly Market Update

Key Themes: Equities made a significant recovery: Both international and Australian equity markets continued to grow despite a significant downturn at the start of the

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Means Tested Care Fee
Aged Care

Means Tested Care Fee

What is a Means Tested Care Fee? A means-tested care fee is the extra contribution towards the cost of care that residents may need to

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Aged Care Basic Daily Fee
Aged Care

Basic Daily Care Fee

What is the Aged Care Basic Daily Care Fee? The Basic Daily Care Fee is payable by all people who receive residential care. This fee

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Centrelink Age Pension
Social Security

Age Pension

Purpose of the Age Pension The Centrelink Age Pension is an income support payment by the government. The Centrelink Age Pension intends to ensure all

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Aged Care Reform
Aged Care

Aged Care Reform Summary

The government released the details of its proposed reforms for Aged Care last week. The changes will take effect on 1 July 2025, with existing

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Estate Planning
Guides

Estate Planning Guide

Estate Planning Estate planning is an important part of your overall financial plan to protect your family and yourself. This includes ensuring you have considered

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Market and Economic Update

July 2024 Monthly Market Update

Key Themes: Technology share rotation: Both international and Australian equity markets posted positive performance, as investors rotated out of tech stocks and into value and

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Non Concessional Contributions
Superannuation

Non-Concessional Contributions

A non-concessional contribution is a personal contribution a person makes to superannuation for their own benefit, or for the benefit of their spouse. Non-concessional contributions

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Market and Economic Update

June 2024 Quarterly Market Update

Key points Equity All-Time Highs: Global equities have continued to rise in Q2 2024, with many major equity markets reaching all-time highs. Australia failed to

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concessional contributions
Superannuation

Concessional Contributions

Concessional contributions are contributions made to a superannuation fund that are not treated as a non-concessional contributions. They are subject to yearly caps. They include Contributions

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Borrowing to Invest
Investments

Gearing

Gearing involves borrowing money to invest in assets that produce both income and good growth potential. This can help to build your wealth. Gearing involves

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Market and Economic Update

March 2024 Quarterly Market Update

Equity All-Time Highs: Global and Australian equities have continued to rise in Q1 2024, with many major equity markets reaching all-time highs. Bond Split: Australian

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What is a Family Trust
Estate Planning

What is a Family Trust?

What is a Discretionary Family Trust? A discretionary family trust is structure to hold assets in the name of an entity on behalf of family

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Podcasts

PFS with PM Capital

Following strong returns for the 2021 calendar year where markets in US and in Australia were up north of 20%, the stock market has experienced

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Podcasts

PFS with Magellan Asset Management

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, share markets around the world have seen unprecedented volatility in 2020. Market’s fell over 30% globally through February and March,

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