Keeping you informed and up to date.

Our Federal Budget Summary is here! Easy to read and money for many.  There are many winners but a big win for superannuation as there were no negative changes! Federal Budget Summary

Economic Update Video – 2 minutes This month’s update is now available and you can view our latest video here.  This video is a 2 minute review of last month’s economic developments and a quick summary of some of the key information.

Australians are delaying retirement by an average three years as cuts to the age pension and low interest rates force people to rethink their savings plans. A survey by research firm Roy Morgan conducted last October found that the average age of individuals planning to retire over the next 12 months was 61, up from…

The Government has today announced improvements to the superannuation changes announced in the 2016-17 Budget that make Australia’s superannuation system even fairer, more flexible and more sustainable. Following extensive consultation, the Government will amend the package to improve the measures that seek to restrict superannuation being used as an estate planning vehicle, while providing greater…

After a long spell of milder weather, winter is finally here, but the upcoming federal election will be providing plenty of heat for the next few weeks at least. With significant changes to superannuation, business tax and negative gearing in the offing, the outcome of this election could also have a material impact on the…

After criticism that his first budget was too tough and unfair, Treasurer Joe Hockey has used his second budget to restore the confidence of ordinary Australians and shift the focus to jobs, growth and opportunity. Gone is the talk of a budget emergency. Instead, the Coalition government has unveiled nearly $10 billion in spending initiatives…

Personal finance editor John Collett and financial planner Olivia Maragna discuss strategies for parents to help their children establish good savings habits.

With more than a 26 per cent growth in four years and more than $560 billion dollars in assets, the Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) industry has hit an incredible milestone – 1 million members. With an average balance of more than $543,000 per member, the growth of SMSF’s has continued with another 6374 net establishments…

Olivia was recently invited to be interviewed by respected Finance Journalist, Alan Kohler.  You can listen to the interview below.  The interview must have made an impression with Alan as he then wrote about her the next day in The Australian newspaper and for ABC’s online news. Alan Kohler is the founder of Business Spectator,…

The Federal Budget this week has announced that from 1 July 2025, the Age Pension qualifying age will continue to rise by six months every two years, from the qualifying age of 67 years that will apply by that time, to gradually reach a qualifying age of 70 years by 1 July 2035. Check out…

Join Olivia on Nine News tonight talking about the impact on the Federal Budget.  Headline story with Laurie Oakes and Ross Greenwood.       To read more about the budget changes click here Olivia Maragna is the co-founder of Aspire Retire Financial Services and was awarded the Australian 2012 AFA Adviser of the Year. Olivia’s advice is general in…

The sobering fact is that women are still not paid equally to their male counterparts, women’s super balances are falling way behind men’s and nine out of 10 Australian women don’t have enough super to fund their retirement. With 40 per cent less super than men, it’s no surprise that women are 2.5 times more…