Power Financial Planning Pty Ltd

27/03/2026

The Division 296 tax is still a quasi-wealth tax

While the latest Division 296 draft legislation may have dispensed with an unrealised capital gains tax component, it still has the whiff of a wealth tax about it. That’s because the effective tax rate on earnings, including any realised capital gains, is tied to the Total Superannuation Balance (TSB) and not just the earned income itself.

Click below to find out more.

The latest draft legislation may be an improvement but it still has the whiff of a wealth tax about it. The question remains whether a golden opportunity for simpler and fairer super tax reform has been missed.

25/12/2025

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at the Power Financial Planning Team

17/12/2025

Age Pension means tests: What counts, and why it pays to check again

Understanding your Age Pension eligibility and what you’re entitled to can feel like a big puzzle, but it’s a really important piece of planning for a secure retirement. Every Australian deserves clear, easy-to-understand information to help them make the best decisions. So, let’s consider the key factors that determine your Age Pension and help you see what might be waiting for you.

Understanding your Age Pension eligibility and what you're entitled to can feel like a big puzzle, but it's an important piece of planning.

05/11/2025

19/09/2025

Is it worth salary sacrificing into super?

We're all familiar with the concept of super. It's that portion of our salary that employers are required to contribute to a super fund on our behalf, with the goal of providing us with financial security in retirement.

But what not everyone is aware of is that relying solely on your employer's contributions might not be enough to ensure a comfortable retirement. That's where salary sacrificing into super comes into play.

Click below to find out more.

We explore the ins and outs of salary sacrificing into your super and help you determine if it's worth considering as part of your financial strategy.

20/06/2025

Can you still work and get the Age Pension?

Retirement isn’t always a full stop to earning income. Plenty of older Australians keep working — some for financial reasons, others for social connection, personal fulfilment, or simply because they enjoy it.

But how does paid work affect the Age Pension? That’s where things can get confusing. The current system is often criticised for being complex and, at times, discouraging older people from staying in the workforce.

Click below to find out more.

Retirement isn’t always a full stop to earning income. Plenty of older Australians keep working — some for financial reasons.

12/05/2025

Your top 3 super questions answered

We’ve put together the answers to three of your most asked questions, so you can stay on top of your super and feel confident for the future.

During Insignia Financial Group’s trustee super funds recent FY2024 Annual Members’ Meetings, members asked a wide range of questions. We've narrowed them down to the top three most popular questions. Read on to see what’s on our members’ minds. The answers provided reflect the presentations by the panellists during the meetings.

We’ve put together the answers to three of your most asked questions, so you can stay on top of your super and feel confident for the future.

10/04/2025

What are the vital steps to take?

Most Australians aged over 50 don’t think that they will achieve a comfortable retirement. That’s the blunt top level finding from a survey of 2250 which was conducted by Colonial First State (CFS) superannuation and reported in the annual Rethinking Retirement report.

Click below to find out more.
retirementessentials.com.au/news/retirement-advice-australia/building-your-retirement-confidence/

Rethink your approach to retirement by engaging with your super, planning early, and taking advantage of financial advice.

04/03/2025

Age Pension increases on 20 March 2025

Update on the age pension increases that are due to take effect from 20.03.2025

Click below to find out more.

A slight Age Pension base rate increase on 20 March 2025, as two of the three main indicators upon which indexation is based are higher.