Home
Search
thewest.com.au
BusinessChevron Right Icon

Your Money

Super is not simple. It is a complex set of rules that keep changing, sometimes getting better, more often getting worse.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumDon’t treat super as a ‘set-and-forget’ ‘walk in the park’

One such piece on super appeared in another media stable recently. The piece was claiming super is an easy-to-understand system, where ‘payments . . . are set-and-forget’, with rules a ‘walk in the park’.

Bruce Brammall

Newly-weds Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumExperts reveal how to stay on budget when planning a wedding

If you’re planning on getting married anytime soon, you likely already know that your celebration is going to come with a big bill.

Ryan Ermey

Here’s how you could afford a new car at the age of 84 without sacrificing your home care.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumSplurging on a new car doesn’t mean sacrificing home care

Q+A: Here’s how you could afford a new car at the age of 84 without sacrificing your home care.

Nick Bruining

‘Trust but verify’ financial advisers when it comes to your life’s savings.

Your MoneyCommentsPremium‘Trust but verify’ advisers when it comes to life’s savings

Former US president Ronald Reagan famously used the old Russian proverb of ‘trust but verify’, which we should all be prepared to apply when it comes to dealing with our life’s savings.

Nick Bruining

The new financial year may see you dip your toes into the world of financial advice.

Financial adviceCommentsPremiumLooking for a financial adviser? Can they pass these tests?

With the ATO clarifying a significant portion of the fees paid to a financial adviser are now likely to be tax deductible, the new fiscal year may see you jump into the world of financial advice. 

Nick Bruining

Capital gains tax is one of those areas where smart timing and strategic advice can make a massive difference.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumTiming is everything when it comes to capital gains tax

Capital gains tax is one of those areas where smart timing and strategic advice can make a massive difference, especially for members of GESB’s West State Super. 

Raymond Pecotic

Superannuation balances have grown again.

MarketsCommentsSuper funds deliver again thanks to remarkable recovery

SuperRatings says the median balanced fund - one with between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of balances exposed to shares and other growth assets - returned 10.1 per cent in the year to June 30.

Sean Smith

It is imperative that you correctly capture and classify any tax deductions you may be entitled to. 

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumThe tax-time deductions you don’t want to miss this year

As the financial year draws to a close, now is the time to start gathering receipts and making smart decisions to maximise your tax refund. Here are the most often overlooked or misunderstood deductions.

Robert Zammit

Australia’s pension system is now the fourth largest in the world after decades of rising contributions fuelled its growth. 

Your MoneyPremiumWorkers get a final boost in retirement savings

From today, Australian workers get a final boost to their mandatory retirement contributions - a key milestone for the country’s $4.1 trillion pension system.

Amy Bainbridge

Under the gifting rules, an individual or couple can legitimately reduce their assets by a maximum of $10,000 each financial year with a maximum of $30,000 over a rolling five-year period. 

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumGive cash away ... then get it BACK as a bigger pension

Asset-tested pensioners can use the next 24 hours to boost their pension by up to $60 a fortnight — for life. Here’s how it works, and what you need to do ...

Nick Bruining

The start of a new financial year will usher in a raft of tax and superannuation changes, with almost every Australian affected one way or another. Here’s what changes from midnight.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumJuly 1 changes to tax, super that affect you and your family

The start of a new financial year will usher in a raft of tax and superannuation changes, with almost every Australian affected one way or another. Here’s what changes from midnight.

Nick Bruining

Your position is unique, so please don’t take financial advice from your colleagues on site. Context is everything.

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumWork FIFO? Here’s your essential tax-time tool kit

For WA’s fly-in, fly-out workforce, EOFY isn’t just about ticking the tax-return box — it’s a golden opportunity to assess your financial strategy and set yourself up for long-term security. Here’s how.

Janine Leafe

With new regulations now treating buy now, pay later as a form of credit, many younger consumers are wondering: ‘Is BNPL wrecking my credit score? Or could it help build a stronger financial history?’

Your MoneyCommentsBuy now, pay later: Credit score monster or a money-mover?

With new regulations now treating buy now, pay later as a form of credit, many younger consumers are wondering: “Is BNPL wrecking my credit score? Or could it help build a stronger financial history?”

Sarah Wells

A couple on a full age pension can sell their home for $1.2m, bank $48,000 a year in interest, AND get $400 a month in rental assistance.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumHere’s just how crazy the Centrelink system really is

Q+A: The quirks of the Centrelink system can be summed up here. A couple on a full age pension can sell their home for $1.2m, bank $48,000 a year in interest, AND get $400 a month in rental assistance.

Nick Bruining

Australia's superannuation industry holds more than $600 billion worth of US assets. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)

BusinessPremiumSuper funds spared multibillion-dollar US 'revenge tax'

The Trump administration says it won't pursue a contentious tax targeting foreign investors, after being lobbied by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and super funds.

Jacob Shteyman

Not Supplied

MONEYPremiumOne thing stopping Aussies getting rate relief

One of Australia’s big four banks is cautioning mortgage holders rates might stay on hold in July, despite a weaker-than-expected inflation read.

Cameron Micallef

The number of mortgages in arrears in payments increased during the first quarter of 2025. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Housing marketPremiumMortgage rates falling but more behind on home loans

Data has revealed a small rise in the number of mortgages in arrears, but experts say the rate has stayed contained despite cost-of-living pressures.

Andrew Brown

When viewed as a total nest egg balance, a couple hoping to live a little and aim for a comfortable retirement will need $690,000. For a single, it’s $595,000. 

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumThe annual amount you now need to retire, and it’s NOT $1m

If you’re hoping to draw a line under your working life soon but have yet to run the numbers on how much money you’re likely to splash about each year in retirement, rest easy. We’ve got the numbers you need.

Daniel Newell

As the end of the financial year rapidly approaches, WA property investors are bracing for the annual ritual of tax time. It’s an opportunity to tidy up your finances and plan for the year ahead. 

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumHow to check your investment loan is still fit for purpose

As the end of the financial year rapidly approaches, WA property investors are bracing for the annual ritual of tax time. It’s an opportunity to tidy up your finances and plan for the year ahead. 

Chris Foster-Ramsay

There’ll be periods of boom and periods of bust. The rules will change here and there. But we’ll assume the fundamental principals and operation of the Australian retirement system remains substantially intact.

opinion
opinion
Your MoneyCommentsPremium
opinion
Worried for grandkids? Don’t be, they’ll be richer than you!

With compulsory superannuation about to reach its maximum level of 12 per cent next week, it’s time for an untainted and de-politicised look at your grandkids’ retirement. 

Nick Bruining

Compulsory super has been steadily increasing from its original start in 1992, when it was just 3 per cent. 

Your MoneyCommentsPremiumGetting superannuation right is a numbers game

With just a week to go until the start of the new financial year, now is the time to tweak your superannuation settings. Here’s what you need to do right now ...

Nick Bruining

A week today is June 30. There are certain things you can do right up until the last day. And some things you can’t. Here’s why you don’t want to wait, particularly if you’re a high-income earner.

DebtManCommentsDon’t be bitten by tight EOFY deadline to top up your super

DEBTMAN: A week today is June 30. There are certain things you can do right up until the last day. And some things you can’t. Here’s why you don’t want to wait, particularly if you’re a high-income earner.

Bruce Brammall

Got an inheritance coming your way but worried it will affect your Centrelink age pension? Here are the hints and tips you need to beat the system ... and also boost your superannuation.

Bruining Q+ACommentsPremiumHacks you need to bank an inheritance and keep the pension

Q+A: Got an inheritance coming your way but worried it will affect your Centrelink age pension? Here are the hints and tips you need to beat the system ... and also boost your superannuation.

Nick Bruining

Not Supplied

Your MoneyPremiumWhy young Aussies are now guaranteed a comfortable retirement

A major change to the superannuation sector starting from July 1 is set to help millions of Aussies achieve a ‘dignified’ retirement.

Cameron Micallef