You have taken a long and varied pathway to get where you are, but you have finally reached that point in your life where you are confident about who you are and what you want. Whether it’s the satisfaction of a successful career or the joy of parenthood, likely you have much to be proud of, and while you’re not over the hill yet, the time to start planning for a comfortable retirement is now.

HSBC’s recent Future of Retirement study1 reveals that while Australians expect to spend 23 years in retirement (that’s more than half the time many spend in the workforce), many will run out of money after only 10 years, leaving them reliant on the age pension.

While you may know what type of lifestyle you want in retirement, can you be certain you will have enough money to achieve this lifestyle or how long your money will last?

Maximising your retirement savings and protecting your income during your last few years in the workforce should be a fundamental financial priority. But there are challenges. You may not be as healthy as you once were and have limited sick leave and annual leave to fall back on. You may have transition to retirement arrangements that rely on regular super contributions. If you live in the pricey cities of Sydney or Melbourne, for example, you may still have a mortgage on your own home, or perhaps on an investment property or holiday home.

You’ve got a lot at stake and you’ve come too far to not protect it, which is why insurance still plays an important role. So what type of protections might be important for you?

This is a question without a simple answer, although it’s likely that your income is central to your plans – so protecting it should be a priority.

Once you hit 50, the chances of suffering serious illnesses like cancer or heart attack increase. Trauma like this can leave a big dent in your savings, and trauma cover is designed to help you meet all those out of pocket costs that come with such conditions, so you can concentrate on recovering. The downside is that in your fifties, this type of cover can become expensive, so you really need specialist help to determine the best way to protect yourself in these circumstances.

Income protection and life cover can both be funded through superannuation, which can obviously help with cash flow but will draw down on your superannuation balance.

When it comes to funding cover, longer term certainty versus shorter term affordability is also often a major decision criteria and unsurprisingly, many life insurance customers (usually buying cover at a time that coincides with their peak indebtedness) find the short term cost savings of stepped over level premiums too tempting. This is especially true when the point at which level premiums put you ahead can be 10 years or more in the future. Paradoxically of course, if you are taking out cover at this stage in life (the time at which cover becomes harder to afford) is the time when you’re more likely to claim than ever before.

With current term deposit rates around the 2 – 2.5 per cent mark, the decision about how to make your money work harder becomes more complex, and there may be some people for whom level premiums may become more appropriate (even when that first year differential can be as much as 100 per cent or more.)

Whilst it is a given that some sort of protection is still important at this stage of life, the best mechanisms to achieve this protection will vary depending on your personal circumstances, which is why you should discuss your options with your Leenane Templeton Financial Planner.

Source: Zurich
1 HSBC, The Future of Retirement Life After Work?,
2013, www.hsbc.ae/1/PA_ES_Content_Mgmt/
content/uae_pws/pdf/en/future-of-retirement.pdf.

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After Kylie completed university and had landed a well-paying job, her only plan was to enjoy her new financial freedom. She had living to do – the future was a long way off and would take care of itself … wouldn’t it? 

Kylie’s first purchases were a trendy new hatchback car and expensive clothes suitable for climbing the corporate ladder. Enjoying her exciting lifestyle, she regularly visited restaurants and bars, and took an overseas holiday each year.

According to research conducted by Impact Leaders, Kylie’s way of life is common with one third of 18–34 year olds having no savings and excessive debt. 

It’s understandable, after all, when you’re in your twenties and early thirties, thoughts of saving for a home, much less retirement, are easily put aside. But time has a nasty habit of getting away from you – just ask your parents!

A survey by Leading Edge Trends, found that the majority of 18–24 year olds won’t own their own home by retirement, fostered by a ‘buy now, pay later’ mentality. The result is that many will be excluded from home ownership, while others will struggle with late-life mortgages and financial insecurity at retirement. 

Back to Kylie. 

A few weeks after returning from a holiday around Europe, Kylie was informed that her position at work had been made redundant. With no savings behind her, she borrowed from her parents to pay her rent and other regular bills.

Shortly after, Kylie was forced to sell her car and use her credit card to manage everyday expenses.

Fortunately, within six months Kylie found a new job, again with a good salary, but during her brief period of unemployment she’d racked up considerable debt. A large portion of the new salary would go towards her debts. It would take years to recover. 

What can you do to ensure your story doesn’t end up like Kylie’s?

Savings – a savings plan doesn’t mean restricting yourself. Even small amounts deducted directly from your wage quickly add up and can become a future home deposit or a safety net for emergencies.

Budget – sounds boring, but a realistic budget can help you to live within your means without relying on credit or feeling like you’re missing out.

Income protection – an insurance policy that pays an income if you’re injured or become too ill to work – an important consideration for young people starting out on a big career!

Get advice – not just for older or well-off people, a financial adviser helps you to create your budget and savings plan so you can take advantage of enjoying life now. 

You might not be interested in buying a house just yet, but how cool would it be if the money were available when you were ready? 

You’ll probably be surprised at how inexpensive advice is. Contact one of Leenane Templeton’s licensed financial advisers to find out how your future can gain a head start.

Call (02) 4926 2300 or email us. 

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When most people think about financial planning they tend to focus on the wealth creation side of things, but often forget about the wealth protection. Building a financial plan without adequate insurance is like building a house on flimsy foundations. 

Comprehensive insurance cover can be a significant expense; however these costs can be made more affordable by taking advantage of the tax deductions that apply to specific types of insurance, and to some methods of implementing insurance. 

Income protection

Due to the high frequency of claims, premiums for income protection insurance can be quite high. However, they are tax-deductible, so the cost is discounted at the same rate as the policy holder’s marginal tax rate. For example, someone on a marginal tax rate of 39% (including 2% Medicare levy), paying a premium of $1,000 would have an out of pocket cost of just $610, after the tax deduction is claimed. 

It needs to be remembered, however, that any benefits paid under an income protection policy are treated as assessable income, and therefore subject to tax. 

Life insurance

While the premiums for life insurance are not normally tax-deductible to individuals, there is a simple way to gain a tax benefit. Superannuation funds can claim a tax deduction for the life insurance premiums they pay. So by taking out life insurance via a superannuation fund, the end result is the same as if the premium was deductible to the person taking the insurance. 

Using superannuation to provide life insurance has another potential benefit. As premiums are paid by the fund, it reduces the pressure on household cash flow. This may reduce the ultimate superannuation payout, but if the savings made outside of superannuation are used wisely, the overall financial position should be improved. 

The proceeds of life insurance are not generally taxable. However, a death benefit paid from a super fund to a non-dependant may be subject to some tax. 

Total and permanent disability insurance (TPD)

TPD insurance is usually attached to life insurance. From a tax perspective it’s treated in a similar way, so implementing it via superannuation is usually the most tax-effective way to do it. 

Trauma insurance

Trauma insurance pays a lump sum if the policy holder suffers a defined medical condition or injury. It cannot be implemented through superannuation. Premiums are not tax-deductible, and benefit payments are not subject to tax. 

As with investing, the main focus on insurance shouldn’t just be on saving tax. It is a protection tool. Always talk to a qualified adviser to ensure you get the appropriate level of cover, and the most tax effective way to implement it. 

Our risk management and accounting teams are ready to help. 
Call (02) 4926 2300 or email us. 

If you have any questions in relation to the tax advantages of insurance please contact our team at Leenane Templeton today!

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Your most important asset is your capacity to work and generate an income. If you are unable to work due to sickness or injury, how would you continue to meet your financial obligations and continue your present lifestyle?

Being unable to work due to sickness or injury is a very real and frightening circumstance. Six in ten Australians will be disabled for more than one month during their working life and one in four will be disabled for more than three months. Despite not being able to earn an income, your financial commitments will continue despite the fact you are not working. Risk needs to be managed to ensure that you can continue to support yourself and your family during the time that you are incapacitated. Personal risk insurance is one way of managing this risk – income protection provides a monthly income stream to compensate for your lost income when you are unable to work due to sickness or injury.

Income protection premiums are generally tax deductible as the premiums represent the cost of protecting your income stream. The benefit of the tax deduction is tied directly to your taxable income and can represent a substantial reduction in premium in your after tax cost.

As you approach the end of the financial year, reviewing your current income protection needs may have an added tax incentive. After discussions with your planner, you may be able to pay for the annual cost of cover in this tax year and secure a full tax deduction for the cost of cover.

Income protection premiums may be funded using your accumulated superannuation balance – meaning you do not have to fund the cost of premiums from your earnings or savings.

Income protection insurance inside superannuation offers a cash flow advantage by using the accumulated balance in your superannuation account. This strategy does not require you to pay any additional premium from your earnings or savings. Your financial planner will arrange the payment of the income protection premiums from any superannuation account whether directly in your current fund, or via a rollover to the income protection policy.

It is important to note that income protection inside superannuation is not always appropriate and needs careful consideration from your planner. Using your superannuation account balance to fund an income protection insurance premium will erode your retirement savings – the impact of such needs to be discussed to ensure you can still meet your retirement goals.

Your financial planner will talk to you about the limitations that exist when funding an income protection premium through superannuation. There may be some benefits that are important to you that cannot be offered through superannuation. In this case, you may be able to split the cost of your income protection premium using superannuation and after tax earnings. In this scenario, your superannuation account can fund up to 95 per cent of the total premium, ensuring that there are still significant cash flow benefits in this model.

Few consumers have the ability to navigate through the opaque and complex taxation and regulatory rules relating to income protection. However, it is vitally important for all income earners to consider what happens if they are incapacitated, and how to manage this risk. A discussion with your financial planner will help you to formulate a strategy that is both appropriate and cost effective.

Source: TAL.

Call (02) 4926 2300 or email us.

To discuss protecting your income and types of insurance available to you, please do not hesitate to contact the specialised risk management team at Leenane Templeton.

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June 30 is fast approaching but there’s still time to consider strategies to help you build your wealth and reduce the amount of tax you pay.

Pay interest in advance

Borrowing to invest may be a tax-effective means of wealth accumulation. This type of strategy lets you purchase property, shares, or any other asset that generates assessable income, by bringing forward next year’s interest cost, and allowing you to claim a tax deduction for those costs this financial year.

Make a concessional contribution to super

If you are self-employed, or earning less than 10 per cent of your income from an employer, you can generally claim a tax deduction for super contributions up to $30,000 (or $35,000 if you were aged 49 or over on 30 June 2014). The Federal Government also pays a 15 per cent low income superannuation contribution of up to $500 on concessional contributions made by individuals with a taxable income of less than $37,000.

Protect your income and save on tax

Income protection insurance not only pays you a monthly benefit of up to 75 per cent if you become unable to work due to illness or injury, but also allows you to pre-pay your premiums and claim a tax deduction. If you pay your premiums in advance, you can claim a tax deduction for next year’s premiums in this financial year.

After July 1, consider the following:

1. Have your financial goals changed?

Your goals can change greatly from year to year. Major life events such as serious illness, the birth of a child, or the death of a parent or spouse can all result in significant changes to your wealth management goals.

2. Prioritise your goals

It’s important to be realistic about how soon you can accomplish your financial objectives. For example, reducing any personal loans is likely to be a short-term goal, setting funds aside for your child’s education could be a medium term goal. Paying off your mortgage and providing for retirement are long-term goals.

3. Be investment savvy

Make sure that your investments support your appetite for risk and your objectives. A tailored analysis will address your individual risk preferences. Regular portfolio reviews with your planner are essential to determine any sell-downs or top-ups that would benefit you.

4. Do you need to change your financial strategy?

Your financial planner has the tools and knowledge to create projections that take into account changes to your goals, risk level, and the timeframes for achieving them. These projections will help you to see where your plans for savings, assets or investment contributions may need updating.

Speak to your financial planner to discuss your end of financial year strategies.
Call (02) 4926 2300 or email us.

Our team of qualified and friendly accountants are ready to help with any questions you may have in relation to your end of financial year preparation.

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Although a health crisis can occur at any time of life, the risks obviously increase as we age which is why insurance is important at any age. Unfortunately, due to the increased risk of illness or injury the cost of insurance for those over 50 can be high. As a result, people in this age group often drop their insurance cover altogether just when their need is at its greatest.

If age 50 is looming, or you’ve already passed your half century, it’s even more important to protect both your income-earning ability and the financial security of your dependents. This can be achieved with appropriate insurance.

Here are some solutions to consider:

• Life and disability insurance can be arranged through most superannuation funds. Premiums are paid from the superannuation thereby reducing strain on the household budget.
• Review your level of insurance. As your investments and superannuation increase, or your debts and expenses decrease you may be able to reduce your cover and still provide for your beneficiaries.
• For income protection insurance, if you have savings in place, annual leave or sick leave entitlements, you may consider increasing the waiting period before a claim. Depending on circumstances, this may allow you to retain an important benefit at a more affordable price. More-over, while Income Protection cover targets insuring 75% of your Gross Wages, your annual cashflow needs to cover living costs may be lower than this. You may consider reducing the monthly benefit in line with your cashflow needs thereby reducing the cost of cover.

If you’re not sure what to do, talk to one of our licensed financial adviser here at Leenane Templeton before you make any adjustments to your insurance cover. It may not cost you as much as you first thought.

Call (02) 4926 2300 or email us.

To discuss how insurance is important at any age please call our specialised financial and risk management advisors to discuss your circumstances further.

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Australians are becoming more educated about their health – whether it’s actively pursuing preventative measures or a greater awareness of healthcare options. Combined with improvements in medical technology and clinical practices, there has been a marked decline in the rate of dying from major health conditions in recent times. For example, the death rate from male cancer over the 20 years to 2007 fell by 16 percent. Due to this change in lifestyle and development in research we are living longer and therefore need to take measures to protect ourselves against survival. One aspect you need to determine is whether or not you are protecting your financial security.

Living longer

Australians are living longer – and with that is the increased likelihood you’ll experience a major health issue. But survival rates are also on the increase due to medical advancements.

• Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in Australia but has increasing survival rates
• Long-term survival rates among stroke patients has more than doubled since the ‘70’s

The number of Australians living with long term health issues is also increasing. It’s estimated that as many as 1.7 million Australians have undiagnosed ‘type 2’ diabetes. More than 4 million Australians are living with some form of disablement.

Protecting your financial security

If the unforeseen was to happen to you, how would you protect yourself and your loved ones? Consider the financial impact of absences from work and medical expenses. Without a plan you may struggle to maintain your lifestyle during recovery.

Part of your plan should include considering personal insurance to protect you financially against serious disablement or illness.

Trauma or Total and Permanent Disablement – or both?

Many Australians have some type of insurance cover through their super – but are you sure it will be enough or it will cover you if you suffer a serious health condition and survive?

Trauma and Total and Permanent disablement (TPD) cover will pay you a lump sum benefit which will assist in improving the quality of your life. Importantly, it gives you choices – treatment and rehabilitation, future employment options, home modifications. Each one is unique to your circumstances.

Trauma cover pays a lump sum if you suffer a serious health condition or trauma event such as a heart attack or cancer. Trauma cover provides the financial assistance you need so you can focus on your recovery. It is worth noting that trauma cover is not usually available through your super fund so this type of cover is definitely worth considering.

If you were to become totally and permanently disabled and were unable to work again, then payment of a TPD benefit would provide financial relief. TPD covers illnesses and injuries that are not usually covered under trauma cover. The lump sum can be used to meet immediate expenses and payment of debt and can also be structured to provide an income for you and your family over the long term. If you do have TPD cover in your super, you’ll need to assess whether it’s enough?

Make sure you get the most appropriate amount of cover

The consideration is usually less about which cover is right for you but how much of each type of cover you need. At such a stressful time, the last thing you want to think about is money issues. Personal insurance is an effective way to protect you and your loved ones from the financial distress that many illnesses can cause.

Source: AIA Australia, May 2014

1. AIHW – Australia’s health: In brief (2010)
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008 – 2011)
3. AIHW – Cardiovascular disease mortality: Trends at different ages (2010)
4. Stroke society of Australasia (2011)
5. Diabetes Australia (2011)
6. Australian Bureau of Statistic (2009)

Disclaimer

Speak to one of our qualified risk management specialists or financial planners, so that you can get the help you need to protect your financial security.
Call (02) 4926 2300 or email us.

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