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Windmill Financial Planning

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01/09/2026

Planning to leave your super to your adult kids? It might not be as tax free as you’d think.

Super law and tax law don’t agree on who counts as a dependant. You can nominate an adult child without any issue, but unless they’re financially dependent on you, the taxable portion of what they receive gets taxed at up to 17%. For a $400,000 death benefit with a $300,000 taxable component, that can mean a tax bill of around $51,000, a number that catches a lot of people off guard.

Wondering what this could mean for your own estate plan?

🔗 Read the full article, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/q-a-questions-and-answers/

31/08/2026

Just received an inheritance and already getting asked what you’re going to do with it?

Here’s the short answer, you don’t need to decide anything fast. The first month is for parking the money somewhere simple and getting through the estate admin, not making big moves. The first six months are for actually understanding what you’ve received, since cash, shares, property and super are all treated differently. The bigger decisions, like paying down debt, boosting super or gifting to family, usually land best in months six to twelve, once the full picture is clear.

Wondering what the right timeline looks like for your situation?

🔗 Read the full article, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/q-a-questions-and-answers/

26/08/2026

If you already have life, TPD and income protection, do you really need trauma cover too?

The truth is these three covers pay on completely different timelines. Income protection only kicks in after a waiting period, often 30 to 90 days, and TPD can take months to assess since it needs proof the situation is permanent. In the early weeks after a serious diagnosis, neither has paid a cent. Trauma cover fills that exact gap with a lump sum on diagnosis, no waiting to see if you can still work. Whether you actually need it comes down to what else would carry your household through those first months.

Wondering if your current cover has a gap like this?

🔗 Read the full article, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/q-a-questions-and-answers/

10/08/2026

Buying with just a 5% deposit sounds like a dream for first home buyers, but is it actually working the way it was meant to?

Since income limits were scrapped in October 2025, thousands of higher income earners have jumped on the scheme too, some couples earning well over $200,000. That's raised real questions about whether it's still helping the buyers who need it most, and whether it's quietly pushing up prices in the process. There's also the practical side, borrowing 95% of a property's value means a bigger loan, higher repayments, and less room if the market dips.

Wondering whether the scheme actually makes sense for your situation?

🔗 Read the full article, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/the-5-deposit-scheme-is-growing-but-what-does-it-mean-for-first-home-buyers/

04/08/2026

Rates could go up, hold, or come down at the next RBA decision, so what does that actually mean for your mortgage?

Every scenario matters. A rise means checking your budget and buffer, a hold doesn't guarantee your rate stays competitive since lenders move independently anyway, and a cut doesn't always get passed on in full. The banks themselves are split, Westpac's tipping possible hikes while CBA, ANZ and NAB expect things to stay steady for now. Either way, your home loan is worth reviewing before the decision lands, not after.

Wondering how prepared your mortgage actually is for whatever happens next?

🔗 Read the full article, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/what-could-the-next-rba-rate-decision-mean-for-borrowers/

03/08/2026

What actually pays the bills in the months right after a serious diagnosis, before anyone knows how things will turn out?

That's the gap most households don't think about. Income protection doesn't start for weeks, TPD only pays if the condition turns out to be permanent, and treatment costs land straight away. Trauma cover was built for exactly this window, a lump sum on diagnosis, no waiting to see if you can still work. A lot of people used to have it and don't anymore, often without realising the gap it used to cover.

Wondering what would actually fund your household if this happened tomorrow?

🔗 Read the full article, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/trauma-cover-and-the-gap-it-was-designed-to-fill/

30/07/2026

An inheritance lands, and suddenly everyone has an opinion on what you should do with it.

Here's the truth: the first month isn't for deciding anything. Park the money, get through the admin, and let the pressure from brokers, banks and well meaning family sit for a while. The real work comes later, understanding what you've actually received (cash, shares, property and super are all taxed differently), then working out whether it goes to the mortgage, into super, into your investments, or to the kids. None of it needs to happen fast, and getting it right matters more than getting it done.

Wondering what the first year should actually look like?

🔗 Read the full article, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/when-the-inheritance-arrives-decisions-in-the-first-12-months/

28/07/2026

Super rules just changed again, and this time it's worth paying attention.

From 1 July, you can put more into super each year, contributions now land with every payday instead of once a quarter, and there's extra support if you've taken time off for parental leave. Retirees also get more room to hold funds tax free.

Wondering what it actually means for your balance?

🔗 Read more, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/superannuation-more-relevant-than-ever/

27/07/2026

Ever wondered why some investors stay calm during market dips while others panic sell?

It usually comes down to two things: how much volatility you can actually tolerate, and how long you're investing for. The longer your timeframe, the more room you have to ride out the ups and downs of growth assets like shares. Shorter goals usually call for a steadier, more conservative approach. And here's the twist, playing it "safe" in cash isn't risk free either, since inflation can quietly erode what your money is worth over time.

Curious where you sit on the risk spectrum, and what it means for how your money should be invested?

🔗 Read the full article, link in bio or click here: https://windmillfp.com.au/whats-your-risk-profile/

22/07/2026

I’m over Age Pension age, still doing some consulting work, and someone mentioned the SAPTO. How does it actually change how much tax I pay?

The Seniors and Pensioners Tax Offset, known as SAPTO, may reduce the amount of income tax you pay if you meet the eligibility requirements.

It works alongside other tax offsets and the tax free threshold, which means eligible seniors may be able to earn more income before paying tax.

The amount you receive depends on factors including your rebate income, relationship status and whether you receive, or are eligible to receive, a qualifying government pension or payment.

Because consulting income, super income and other investments can be treated differently, it is worth checking how SAPTO applies to your individual circumstances.

Read the full answer on our website via the link in our bio, or click here:

https://windmillfp.com.au/q-a-qa-ask-a-question/

General information only. Consider speaking with your financial adviser or registered tax agent.

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Level 17, Angel Place, 123 Pitt Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

Telephone

+61411429493

Website

http://windmillfp.com.au/

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