Money

‘Is $2M in super and savings enough for a comfortable retirement?’

Financial planning

‘How much Rent Assistance can I get with a pension and nearly $600K in assets?’

Estate planning

‘Should I give my home to my daughter now or will it to her?’

‘Can a 58-year-old, full-time worker use their super to pay off a mortgage?’

Estate planning

‘Should I have contested my partner’s will after his kids got everything?’

Discover essential tips to maximise your retirement savings, empowering you to navigate the complexities of superannuation with confidence.

Five simple ways you can help maximise your superannuation for a comfortable retirement

Imagine winning a house, a caravan, a cruise or a tidy $800k to enjoy your retirement…

What would you do with a spare $800K?

When it comes to ensuring you are set for retirement, preparation is key. However, alarming new research has found that only 51 per cent of adult Australians, including around 60 per cent of those aged 65 and over, have sought guidance from any expert source on retirement planning.

The ‘concerning’ oversight that could cost you dearly in retirement

The Australian share market is on track for its seventh straight day of gains. (Steven Saphore/AAP PHOTOS)

The Australian share market is on track for its seventh straight day of gains.

Aussie shares hit all-time high for fourth straight day

Higher income limits and lower prescription costs are coming — learn how these changes could apply to you.

Big changes coming to Commonwealth Seniors Health Card on September 20

Increased payments for singles and couples could potentially qualify thousands more seniors for the age pension and essential concessions.

Upcoming Centrelink pension increases may benefit more seniors than expected

Bereavement

Your legacy can give children everywhere a brighter future — Here’s how

With this easy step, you can make an extraordinary difference — without paying a cent in your lifetime.

The hard retirement choices an 'average' couple will have to make

The hard retirement choices an ‘average’ couple will have to make

Finding additional income from somewhere will be a necessity for most. Read the article

End of life planning

The complete state-by-state guide to probate: Who needs it and when

If you’re the executor of a loved one’s estate, your role will almost certainly involve distributing assets, as well as possibly paying debts or overseeing the sale of property or other belongings. But there are a number of steps required by law before you start dealing with the deceased’s finances.

Money ExpertNoel WhittakerThe Financial Wizard of Oz

Money ExpertJim KilkennyThe Financial Services and Investment Veteran

Money ExpertNick BruiningThe Retirement Income Expert

Money ExpertBrian HerdThe Elder Law Legal Eagle

PROPERTY EXPERTRachel LaneThe Retirement Living and Aged Care Guru

Money ExpertTom EllisonThe Naked Investor

Your Money's Sections

Our money section is broken into four core pillars. Each is packed with expert insights, real life questions and helpful information.

Everyday Money

Accounts, bills, budgets, cash, credit, consumer protections, products, payment platforms, rates and more; over-60s want to get the best out of their most frequent financial transactions because they know if they look after the pennies, the pounds look after themselves.

Retirement Income

When you’ve worked for 40 years or more, knowing you can finally kick back without financial worries really matters. That’s why the pillars of Australia’s retirement income system are top topics; super, the Age Pension, mainstream investments, personal savings and property are all in focus here.

Planning for Later Life

All of this looking after the pennies and maintaining a secure but not indulgent retirement income means wealth to pass on. There’s no taboo on talking about death; we regularly discuss the nitty gritty on who, what, when and how when it comes to estate and end-of-life planning.

The Big Questions

Starts at 60 Community members submit their questions to us for response by our financial experts. Helpful insights from real life situations.

The latest from our partners

Financial Planning

‘I worked too hard all my life to keep saying no to good things in retirement’

Vivienne spent more than a year researching options to boost her retirement income - you might be surprised at what she chose.

Written byHousehold Capital

Access competitive returns on an investment that’s carefully risk-managed by a trusted Australian fund manager.

How an Australian mortgage trust could help meet your retirement income needs

Written byTrilogy Funds

Just as most people on Grand Designs end up learning, DIY is never as easy or cheap as it looks.

DIY investment or super: What to consider when choosing the option for you

Written byChristine Seib

From the experts

Understanding how people aged 67 to 75 can top up their self-managed super funds

Nick Bruining

Money Questions

“Can I gift a home to my kids and would it affect them in any financial way?”

Independent finance expert, Nick Bruining, answers this Q&A and shares what other implications you need to consider before gifting a home to your children.

Independent money expert, Nick Bruining, provides a real life example of how Centrelink assessable income is NOT the same as Tax Office assessable income. Image source: Getty

It's important to understand that Centrelink assessable income is not the same as Tax Office assessable income or actual cash received.

Understanding how Centrelink assesses income for the income test

A difference of 1 per cent in fees could make a difference of 20 per cent in your final retirement payout. Image source: Getty

"If you’re paying 2.0 per cent or more, then you’re probably indirectly paying for someone’s leased BMW and pony club membership."

‘What’s a reasonable amount to pay in super fees and charges?’

Do you have a question for our money expert?

Money expert Nick Bruining explains why the distributions from a managed fund could result in a tax liability.

Help! Why has my managed fund distributions resulted in a tax liability and what can I do about it?

With blended families becoming more common, it's important to consider estate planning strategies to ensure assets are passed on fairly to all beneficiaries

10 smart estate planning strategies to help protect blended families

These are the key things you need to know when you're splitting your finances and assets during your divorce.

How to financially separate from your spouse

Downsizing is never easy, but Noel Whittaker breaks it down. Source: Getty

Equip yourself with everything you need to know about making downsizer contributions into your superannuation to build up your retirement savings.

Downsizer contributions: Everything you need to know

When if the last time you assessed your superannuation account's performance? Source: Getty

News

Self Managed Super Funds: Everything you need to know

When if the last time you assessed your superannuation account's performance?

It’s important you correct the values of your assets such as, bank accounts, investments, cars, and home contents regularly. The majority of your assets depreciate over time, providing an opportunity to increase your pension. Source: Getty Images

Pensioners owe it to themselves to make sure they’re getting their full entitlement. Here’s how to do it.

Maximise your Age Pension: Top tricks to get you more and the traps you should avoid

Financial expert, Tom Ellison, shares his secrets on what makes buying a brand new car such a bad idea during retirement.

Cars can kill you financially

78% of over-60s surveyed said they had helped their kids get on the property ladder

As the property market continues to boom and prices skyrocket, it is even more likely than ever you’ll get a call from your adult children asking for some financial help to buy a home.

The bank of mum and dad for property: how to protect yourself when lending money to your kids

KAMPALA, CENTRAL REGION, UGANDA - SEPTEMBRE 24: Avocados cardboard box ready for shipment on Septembre 24, 2018 in Kampala, Central Region, Uganda. (Photo by Camille Delbos/Art In All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images)

News

Avo’ go at the price of these avocados

If you’ve been into a supermarket recently, you’ve likely seen huddles of shoppers in the fruit and vegetable section, pushing...

Many Australians are unsure of what to do, in the case of a dementia diagnosis. Source: Getty

Health

What happens if I lose capacity due to dementia?

There are nearly half a million Australians living with dementia today, with that number potentially doubling across the next 25 years. Do you know what steps need to be taken, if diagnosed with dementia?

The treasurer unveiled the budget on Tuesday night. Source: Getty

Find out what the Budget 2021-22 really has to offer older Australians – and where there’s a sting in the tail.

Over-60s and the budget: The pros and the potential pitfalls to avoid

Watch Starts at 60 Masterclasses

Starts at 60 Members are invited to attend our retirement masterclasses. These are some of the money masterclasses we've held in the past 12 months.

Starts At 60 Masterclass

Watch Now: Managing your Money in Uncertain Times

Watch our online panel event on how you can manage your money in the uncertain times. It covers 1. Ensuring access to your bank accounts 2. Staying calm about super 3. Updating end-of-life planning 4. Key themes emerging from the economy.

Starts At 60 Masterclass

Watch Now: All your digital banking questions answered

Learn about the tech keeping your money safe online, how you can easily keep yourself safe from scammers and the many things you can do with digital banking – without needing to leave your home!

Starts At 60 Masterclass

Downsize or don't: Retirement income post-Covid 19

If you’re worried about whether your retirement income will last the distance or whether to downsize now our later, our online masterclass with financial guru Noel Whittaker, downsizing expert Rachel Lane and economics commentator Adam Creighton has the answers.

Watch: Your Money

Here's a selection of videos to help you navigate your money issues as you are nearing, and in retirement.

Everyday Money

Watch: Creating a budget for your retirement

Everyday Money

How you can help your kids while in retirement