Empower Blog Property & Financial Investment

A habit of Higher: VanEck’s 2023 Q4 Summary 

Please Note: This report was created and provided by VanEck. For investors, it feels like an episode of The Twilight Zone. What is happening, does not reflect reality. It remains to be seen, but only after the most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting with the market sell off, did it seem like normal transmission may have resum...

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Carry Forward Concessional Contributions

This is the last year to use unused carry-forward concessional contributions accrued in the 2018/19 financial year. With stage 3 tax cuts on the horizon, now is a great time to think about using carry-forward concessional contributions.  Background  Carry-forward concessional contributions (CCs) allow individuals to use unused CC c...

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RBA Oct 2023 | To Stick or Slip? Inflation Trend, Property Supply, and an Overlooked Lesson

With recent headlines buzzing about Australia's economic shifts, we're back with our October Economic and RBA commentary update. There's a lot to unpack this month, and as always, Ben is here to dissect and deliver the essential details. In this October's RBA release, here’s what's on the horizon for our economic discussion: Navigating th...

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Ben Kingsley on 7 News: Victoria Named Worst State to Invest

The city of Melbourne has been ranked as the second worst capital city in Australia for property investors, with one in four Melbourne landlords selling their rental homes in the past year, according to the annual Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) survey. This significant trend has raised concerns for tenants across the city. ...

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Empower Wealth Wins AFG Champion Broker Group VIC/TAS for Two Consecutive Years

Empower Wealth is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious title of AFG "Champion Broker Group VIC/TAS" for two consecutive years, in both 2022 and 2023. This remarkable achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence in the mortgage broking industry, and it reflects the dedication of our exceptional tea...

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Navigating Landing: VanEck’s 2023 Q3 Summary

Please Note: This report was created and provided by VanEck. During the past quarter, the US government narrowly avoided defaulting on its debt. Like many of the previous 78 times Congress has acted to revise or extend the ceiling, this one came down to the wire. Many market participants thought this time would be different and that the comprom...

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Education Bonds: Unlocking a New Future

Education Bonds offer a blend of tax advantages, flexible investment strategies, and wealth transfer capabilities that set them apart from their counterparts. Recent innovative product design means Education Bonds offer an enticing strategy that not only caters to education funding but also embraces diverse financial needs. Education Bonds - Th...

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Myeloma Awareness: Protecting Your Finances in the Face of Health Challenges

In the news recently was the story regarding Sandy Roberts, a leading TV journalist, who was recently diagnosed with a rare cancer called Myeloma that he didn’t even know he had until he went into hospital to get checked after a fall. You can read all about Sandy below. https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/legendary-commentator-sandy-roberts-dia...

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China’s Economic Slowdown and Its Impact on Australian Interest Rates

In the vibrant spring season, it's that time again for our September Economic and RBA commentary update. As always, the economic landscape is ever-evolving, and this month we have several key areas of focus. Join Ben as he breaks down the RBA's latest decision. In today’s RBA release, here are our key themes for this month’s economic upd...

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UPDATE: Abolishment of the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO)

The Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO) has been a pivotal component of the Australian taxation landscape for several years. It served as a financial relief mechanism for individuals falling within the low to middle-income brackets, encompassing anyone with a taxable income of up to $126,000. The primary objective of LMITO was to alleviate...

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RBA Cash Rate August 2023 & Australian Housing Market Update

Another month down and yet another close call by the RBA! Welcome back to Ben’s RBA and Economic Update. Join Ben as he unpacks the RBA's latest decision. He delves into the impact of rising interest rates in the US and the intricacies of the woes happening in the home-building landscape. Additionally, he provides in-depth insights into th...

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Are you still Eligible? Tax Offset Changes to Low and Middle Income Earners

Please Note: This post was first published by the Australian Taxation Office. Click here to read the original post. Check eligibility for the low income tax offset or low and middle income tax offset in the 2019 to 2022 income years. On this page Eligibility for the tax offsets Low income tax offset (LITO) Low and middle income ta...

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Australian Housing Market Update July 2023

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the challenges we're currently facing? We get it - interest rates, mortgage repayments, the fixed rate cliff, and the rising costs of living can be tough to handle. Not to mention the struggles with property building groups and the rental crisis. It's a lot to take in! But wait, before you get too caught up i...

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