In these exceedingly difficult times, maximising your benefits and minimising your fees is even more important. The Coronavirus has had a dramatic negative affect on people’s asset values. As both the Centrelink age pension and Aged Care Means Tested Fees are calculated with references to assets and income. Informing the Department of Human Services of […]

The Government announced it will give $750 as a one-of payment to those receiving Pensions from Centrelink & Dept. of Veterans Affairs, it also includes those not receiving a Pension, but who receive Family Tax Benefits and Commonwealth Seniors Health card-holders. The Government has also announced on Tuesday 17th March that it will make $100 […]

BREAKING: Some banks are offering a SPECIAL interest rate on deposits of around 2%, as a response to the Coronavirus. But only for those over 65 years of age If you are interested in more information on this story call us on 1300-556287 COVID-19 The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing world-wide panic, fear & great uncertainty. […]

The fall in interest rates over the last 5 years to historic lows, has seen retirees struggle to earn much interest on their invested funds, to supplement any Centrelink or DVA pension they may earn, forcing retirees to rethink their investment portfolio. Similarly those people who have moved into aged care facilities, and sold their […]

You have probably heard about Probate, but many people have no idea of what it is or whether it is needed. A Grant of Probate is a document provided by the Supreme Court in the relevant state for a deceased person. Most people leave a Will, setting out who they wish to leave their assets […]

At Balance, we believe it is important that you know some of the facilities that are potential options for aged care for you and your loved ones. Today we feature IRT Thomas Holt and IRT Berala on the Park.   IRT Thomas Holt IRT Group amalgamated with Thomas Holt in 2019, forming IRT Thomas Holt. Operating across […]

When a person dies, in most situations the executor needs to apply for Probate, the choices open to the executor are; Apply for Probate themselves Engage a Solicitor to apply for Probate on your behalf Engage a Trustee (like the NSW Public Trustee & Guardian OR Engage Balance Estate Management Probate is the Supreme court […]

The Royal Commission into Safety & Quality in Residential Aged Care & Home Care, does not seem to have come up with the extreme revelations that came out of the Banking & Financial Royal Commission. That is not to say that the aged care industry is perfect, far from it. However, to put perspective around […]

From the 20th September 2019 Centrelink & DVA (Dept. of Veterans Affairs) will apply the new deeming rates, which were announced in July this year. Centrelink & DVA use an income and asset test to work out how much pension they can pay pension recipients. Centrelink & DVA include any “deemed income” in the income […]

The Government has announced the following increases to Age Pensions, Disability Pension & the same applies to Service Pensions for DVA The maximum rate of Age, Disability & Service pension (DVA) per fortnight Basic rate Plus + Supplements Total pension Single $850.40pf $68.90 +$14.10 $933.40/pf Couple $641.00/pf $51.90 +$10.60 $703.50/pf each $1407.00/pf combined Illness separated […]