Tim Howard

Featured in: Favicon

kickstarter.com Favicon

givemesport.com Favicon

westpac.com.au Favicon

securitymagazine.com Favicon

ifa.com.au Favicon

fssuper.com.au

Articles

Ask an expert: Using your super to invest in property

Dec 2, 2024 | westpac.com.au | Ben Young |James Thornhill |Liam Cormican |Tim Howard

Tim Howard from BT ‘s Technical Services team answers some frequently asked questions on super, tax and social security issues. This time he’s tackling the rules around the use of self-managed superannuation funds to make property investments. Q). I’ve recently established an SMSF so I can use my super to buy property. How is borrowing by an SMSF different to normal residential mortgages? What are the additional considerations of owning a property in this way?
Does selling and buying a new home affect my age pension?

Nov 3, 2024 | ifa.com.au | Tim Howard |Keith Ford

I’m a single age pensioner and looking to relocate closer to my daughter and her young family. If I sell my home, does that mean I will lose my age pension immediately? I plan on buying a new home, however I’m not sure for how much, or how long this process might take! Your principal home is an exempt asset for income support means testing. This means that, while you are living in the property, it won’t count as an assessable asset when determining your rate of age pension.
SMSFs and limited recourse borrowing arrangements

Oct 25, 2024 | fssuper.com.au | Tim Howard

One of the unique aspects of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) is their ability to borrow money to invest. The ability to borrow, however, should not be confused with the borrowing principles that may apply to individuals, companies or trusts entering a borrowing arrangement. Borrowing through superannuation comes with several additional considerations, primarily driven by superannuation law.
Can my second wife make a downsizer contribution?

Oct 7, 2024 | ifa.com.au | Tim Howard |Keith Ford

The home was an existing property held in the client’s name, purchased during a previous relationship. Would his current wife also be eligible to make a downsizer contribution to super, although she isn’t on the title of the property? A downsizer contribution is a relatively unique way to contribute the sale proceeds of your former home to superannuation, which can be a tax-effective way to assist in building your retirement savings.
BT’s plan to boost the ranks of financial advisers

Sep 19, 2024 | westpac.com.au | Ben Young |Sarah Conte |James Thornhill |Tim Howard

BT wants to address Australia’s chronic shortage of qualified financial advisers with an educational partnership that aims to encourage more people to enter the profession and meet growing demand for financial advice. The number of advisers across the country has declined by more than 40 percent over the past five years as a result of tougher regulation and higher qualification standards.
Aussies turn to budgeting tools to help manage cost-of-living pressures

Sep 12, 2024 | westpac.com.au | James Thornhill |Sarah Conte |Hannah Stenning |Tim Howard

Westpac has seen a 36 percent increase in the use of personal finance tools on the mobile banking app since the start of the year - a sign that customers are taking a more pro-active approach to managing their finances. Around 620,000 customers have logged in monthly to access features which help to monitor cash flow, categorise their spending, and manage bills.
Surprise rise in property values is keeping financial planners busy

Dec 8, 2023 | westpac.com.au | James Thornhill |Ben Young |Thomas Corwin Evans |Tim Howard

The Australian property market has defied bearish predictions in 2023, with population growth and a short supply of housing pushing prices up, especially in capital cities. To combat the rising cost of living, it seems many Australians are realising the values of their properties wisely as part of their superannuation and tax strategies.
MONEY TALK: Surge in separations raises ethical question for advisers

Oct 16, 2023 | westpac.com.au | Ben Young |James Thornhill |Thomas Corwin Evans |Tim Howard

When clients separate, financial advisers face an ethics-related question: can they advise one or both individuals? And how can they manage any conflict of interest that may arise? There’s little doubt that the COVID pandemic and cost of living pressures have put extra strain on a lot of relationships in recent years. The number of divorces in Australia hit 56,244 in 2021, according to the most recently available national statistics, the highest level since 1976.
WWE: John Cena plans altered after changing his mind on 'past issues'

Sep 19, 2023 | givemesport.com | Christopher Daniels |Mike Bell |Tim Howard |Fit Finlay

John Cena, who previously refused to wrestle in Saudi Arabia, may have had a change of heart and is now booked for the upcoming show in November. The hesitation to perform in Saudi Arabia was due to concerns over public perception and potential career consequences, but those concerns seem to have dissipated now.
Cost of living pressures put budgeting back in vogue

Sep 18, 2023 | westpac.com.au | Josh Wall |James Thornhill |Tim Howard |Lali Wiratunga

As households grapple with rising prices for everything from power bills to everyday groceries, they’re increasingly taking a pro-active approach to managing their finances. A Westpac-commissioned survey shows that 47 per cent of Australians have created a household budget for the first time in response to growing cost-of-living pressures.