For years, the idea of “Blue Zones” captured the world’s imagination. Certain regions such as Okinawa, Sardinia, Ikaria and Nicoya were said to be places where people routinely lived past 100 years old in good health. The promise was simple and compelling: follow their lifestyle, and a long, vibrant life might follow. In recent years, however, that story has become more complicated. A necessary reality check New research has raised questions about the original Blue Zones clai

Retiring well means making a series of decisions to ensure a financially secure post-work life. One practical step is to work out the income you need each week to survive and thrive when you stop working. If you are one of the many Australians still working and growing your super, knowing more about tailored retirement income products might help to plan. There are two main ways to use super savings in retirement: through products that provide an income stream, and/or through

Entering the world of investing can be a life-changer for people of all ages. Here are seven simple steps for beginners to start their wealth journey. 1. Do a financial stocktake Before taking the leap into investing, evaluate your financial position. Assess your income, savings, living expenses and, perhaps most importantly, your personal debts (you may focus first on clearing high-interest credit card debt). An honest assessment will give you clarity about the funds you hav

Discover ways to answer the common question ‘How much do I need to retire? Learn about retirement costs How much retirement costs depends on what you want out of retirement, and your individual needs and circumstances. The lifestyle you want may look different to another person's, so your living costs will be different. For example, you might prioritise travel, whilst your friends want to stay close to the grandchildren at home. However, there are ways to get an overview of w

If you are trying to get ahead financially, it can sometimes feel harder than it should be. You budget, you plan, and you do your best, yet real progress in paying down debt and building significant savings can feel painfully slow. While managing expenses is important, there is another side of the equation that often makes the biggest difference. Increasing how much you earn. There is only so much you can financially cut back before it starts to affect your quality of life. Y

Stopping work is a big shift – especially when you haven’t planned for it. Why you might face a sudden retirement Only one-third of Australians retire because they’ve reached retirement age. For many, retirement happens earlier than they expect due to events outside their control. These can include: Job loss or redundancy: some people are forced to retire when they lose their job and can’t find another, or if their business closes Caring responsibilities: people may stop w

Tax Office data shows fewer people used its super scheme in 2024-25 Introduced in 2018, the home downsizer scheme allows eligible Australians aged 55 and older to contribute up to $300,000 from the sale of their home into superannuation, outside of normal annual contribution caps. The idea was simple: improve retirement incomes while freeing up larger homes for younger families. For eligible couples, up to $600,000 can be taken from their total home proceeds and split equally

Superannuation tax rules are changing again and there are implications for those with very large balances as well as those on lower incomes. In a nutshell, the new plans include: more targeted tax rules for people with very large super balances extra support for low-income earners who contribute to super indexation (automatic increases) to make sure the tax thresholds keep up with inflation the removal of the proposed tax on unrealised gains The new super tax rules will begin

Forget expensive creams, doing push-ups, or pretending you like kale. The real anti-aging secret might be digging out your carry-on bag. Travel, it turns out, is basically a spa treatment for your brain, your body, and your soul, except, instead of coconut water, you get the thrill of new adventures and stories you will retell forever. Here’s why hopping on a plane, bus, train or cruise ship might be one of the most effective ways to feel younger. New places flex your synapse

Why you should review your super Your super could be one of the biggest assets you’ll accumulate in your lifetime. However, many Australians think they don’t need to worry about their super until retirement. Some don’t think about it at all. It's never too early to think about your super and the earlier you get on top of it, the better. It's a good idea to regularly review and manage your super at least once a year. It's important to make sure you: are getting the super you'r