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For retirees in aged care, rising costs can start to weigh you down.

Why have my aged care costs risen over 30 per cent?

While it can be easy to pass off rising costs as profiteering by retirement village operators, the truth isn’t so simple.

  • Noel Whittaker

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Adding an investment property to your portfolio is not an easy ride.

All my friends are buying investment properties. Should I buy one too?

I understand the allure of property from an investment perspective, but being more conservative can often pay off in the long run.

  • Paul Benson
Property investment is not for the faint of heart.

My parents are pushing me to buy an investment property. Should I?

Your parents might think you “can’t go wrong” with property, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a first-time investor.

  • Paridhi Jain
If your parents are spending beyond their means, it may be time for an uncomfortable conversation.

My retired parents don’t trust anyone with their money. What can I do?

Unfortunately, sometimes when people don’t want to be helped, there isn’t much you can do.

  • Paul Benson
Letch death taxes tax

Can we avoid the ‘death tax’ if we leave our super to charity?

Superannuation money left to a non-dependent suffers a 17 per cent tax, made up of the 15 per cent contributions tax plus 2 per cent Medicare levy.

  • Noel Whittaker
When it comes to choosing between keeping your money in your mortgage, or investing it, it all comes down to your appetite for risk.

I don’t want to be a landlord. What other investments provide regular income?

It might not compare to rental income, but a diversified portfolio of funds would probably achieve the outcome that you are after.

  • Paul Benson
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Taxation.

Why is the ATO withholding 50% of my kids’ investments?

When it comes to children’s investments, there’s a chance you could be paying far more tax than you need to.

  • Noel Whittaker
Tax minimisation by the ultrawealthy is often unpalatable, but not everyone asking for advice falls into that bracket.

I think financial advice columns are unethical. Can you prove me wrong?

Despite how it might seem, people writing to financial columns for advice are not billionaires or even mega-millionaires looking to save millions in taxes.

  • Paridhi Jain
It’s better to build investments with your cash than just let it sit in your bank account.

I’ve retired with $300k in the bank. Should I leave it there, or invest?

It’s fair enough to be worried about volatility and sharemarket crashes when you’ve just retired, but a little bit of risk is OK.

  • Paul Benson
If you’re not careful, capital gains tax can take a big chunk out of your property earnings.

Our property sale has created a tax ‘double whammy’. What can we do?

It can seem like an unfair situation to be in, but unfortunately the ATO is very clear in its rulings.

  • Noel Whittaker

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/ask-an-expert-1qi