First Financial Blog

---

Investment markets are cyclical in nature. Ups and downs occur regularly, but over longer periods of time, there are recognisable traits associated with each stage that can be clearly categorised.

Over the five years to 2020, the insurance industry lost approximately $3.4 billion on income protection insurance products. Insurance companies are haemorrhaging money. And that’s not good for anyone.

2020 has been a challenging year. The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been felt across the entire country. To counter the drastic effects there has been an unprecedented amount of financial support provided to both individuals and businesses.

Throughout our lives, we have many significant moments that help to shape who we are and how we live. Financial planning for major life milestones can help keep us moving forward and support our financial security for many years ahead.

Proactive business succession planning is critical, especially as an ever-increasing number of baby boomer business owners approach retirement. We take a closer look at succession planning and David Pitt discusses the role buy/sell insurance can play.

Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, handed down the Federal Government’s 2020-21 Budget on 6 October. Originally delayed in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this Budget has been highlighted as the most significant in decades.

The FY20 company reporting season was under intense scrutiny this year as investors waited for information about the impact of COVID-19 on company fundamentals. We look at how dividends have been impacted and the expectations for FY21.

Are we set for another market fall? Or is it the case that markets seriously over-reacted in the first place and are now coming slowly to a more accurate assessment of the long-term risks involved in COVID-19?

When it comes time to retire, you want the transition to be smooth and stress-free. It’s important to arm yourself with some knowledge of how taxation works within retirement and how different income streams are taxed.

Back in April, banks and mortgage lenders offered significant mortgage relief through home loan deferrals. There’s no doubt that for many, mortgage deferral has been extremely helpful over the last six months, but it does come with some drawbacks.