HECS before Mortgage Our thinking is that by holding off on buying property and paying off our HECS first we will have additional income as HECS is no longer being deducted from our pay packets, and we would be able to pay off a mortgage quicker after saving the deposit, thereby reducing the interest payable. Is this sensible? Tax on inheritance I don't want my children to be taxed for any money I leave for them when I pass. How do I achieve this? Tax deduction for donations Does the US rule for tax deductions for donated items other than money apply in Australia? Financial planner How do I go about finding a good financial planner? Retiring My wife and I are aged in our late 50's and could both satisfy the permanently retired test and wonder if we would be better off putting most of our super money into pension mode assuming the super funds have positive returns. Accessing super from jail Can my brother use his super to pay his home loan while he's in jail? Super companies I think superannuation companies do not really cater for people who have already retired and do not have special investments for them - am I wrong to think that? Resigning to access super I read "to access super between 60 and 65 you have to trigger a condition of release, which means you have to resign from a job." Is that absolutely necessary? Changes to super regulations I understand that superannuation rules are being reviewed. Can you advise if the timing of implementing changes has been determined and hence when I would need to retire? Super or term deposits We're puzzled by the advice of our super fund's adviser, and can see no benefit to staying in super rather than using bank term deposits. What are your views? Allocated pension If an allocated pension is set up at, say, 7% interest, does it remain at the same interest rate until finished? Splitting income Can you please let me know if I would be entitled to split my income with my partner of three years, though we do not live together? Centrelink on pensions Can my father transfer his shares to his grandkids in order to change his assets list with Centrelink? If he can what would be the implications regarding his pension? Preparing for retirement Should I withdraw my super to pay down our loans to break even, convert the loan to principal and interest, or maintain the status quo? Comfortable retirement When financial experts talk about having a pension of $57,000 to have a comfortable retirement, are they talking about a gross amount or an after tax amount? Tax on super Will I have to pay tax on my superannuation payout which was taken as a lump sum of $150,000? HECS debt I am a student with a HECS debt of $50,000. Is it worth finding a way to pay upfront for the 20% discount, or am I better off waiting until I'm on a full-time salary? Draw from super I am 58 years old and due to mental illness I have been put off work until further notice. I have three loans - can I draw on my super to pay these bills and ease the pressure? Writing a will My mother is arranging her will and seems happy to leave things to me and my sister - is that the most tax effective way to do things? Retirement plan I would like to retire when I turn 60 in five years time. Am I on the right track? Super vs Term Deposit I am 61 and 4 years off an age pension. Is the money I have saved better off in a superannuation fund or in a monthly paid term deposit? Savings for kids I would like to save money over time to pass to my children when they grow up. What is the best approach? Transition to Retirement Is a transition to retirement pension applicable to me? Planning for retirement Is my retirement plan viable or would you suggest an alternative? Income from super I am not yet at the pension-eligible age, but have retired. Will the withdrawals I make from super in the intervening years count as income? Preservation age On reaching preservation age, 55 in my case, can I withdraw a lump sum up to $150,000 tax free from my super? Allocated pension What advantage do I get by taking out an allocated pension to draw down hundreds of dollars a month? Education fund I would like to set up an education fund for my children. What are the tax implications for both myself as the provider of these funds, and the tax liabilities that I may create by gifting them both these funds? Super or mortgage Should I direct my excess income to super or to my mortgage? Accessing super early How much am I allowed to earn after retirement and accessing my super? top Advertise with us | Contact us | Site map | About us Privacy Policy | Conditions of Use Copyright © 2010. Any unauthorised use or copying prohibited.

Planning budgeting debt tax Investments managed funds shares superannuation Property Banking Each week financial advisor Noel Whittaker answers your questions. Topics include: » Mortgages » Managed funds » Superannuation Ask a question now Financial calculators  >> Borrowing power  >> More. Compare and apply for financial products.  >> Home loans  >> Credit cards >> Term Deposits  >> More. Let our enewsletter Money Sense help you with your finances. Subscribe now. See sample newsletter