![Why you should consider a reverse mortgage](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/13/Photos/c3776e80-c92b-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_syd-6jl9fkveue8s7urmol9--318x212.jpg)
Why you should consider a reverse mortgage
For those panicking about how to fund retirement, savings are not the only resource. Unlocking equity in the home is another option. Over the next 40 years an estimated 7 million people are expected to start living off their own savings, largely in the form of accumulated superannuation. But with a dearth of retirement income products and volatile investment markets, there are concerns over how retirees will manage their financial affairs to make their super balance last.
Rise of alternative treatment hits taxpayer’s purse
![Rise of alternative treatment hits taxpayer’s purse](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/13/Photos/cddc0d88-c965-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_syd-5beqn0rm61w49m60d2w--180x120.jpg)
Private health insurers' acceptance of alternative treatments has boosted their credibility but hit the private and public purse.
Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill mine headache
Falling iron prices threaten Gina Rinehart's 23-year quest to become a miner. But can Australia’s richest woman weather a perfect storm of plunging iron ore prices, red tape and contractor disputes?
Greenback’s rise makes US Fed’s rate decision tricky
How does the Fed raise rates in the world's largest economy without unleashing too much chaos across currency, equity, commodity and credit markets.
Open season on top bankers making the move
![Open season on top bankers making the move](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/13/Photos/632673d4-c965-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_2015-01-20T175246Z_12127260-171--90x60.jpg)
Now that the stars of investment banking have pocketed their lucrative bonuses the annual poaching season has started, and it's proving to be the hottest in four years.
Short courses in NSW attract would-be real estate agents
All roads lead to NSW for would-be real estate agents who can gain qualifications in courses as short as nine days, according to industry chiefs.
Clive Palmer's influence gone after Glenn Lazarus defects
The defection of Glenn Lazarus from the Palmer United Party has done little to boost the government's prospects of passing stalled budget measures, including its higher education changes.
Winning strategies for currency wars
![Winning strategies for currency wars](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/13/Photos/8d1c8604-c930-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_2012-12-14T040207Z_91953848--U604018549047AaG-437x233_6_0_4031751176--90x60.jpg)
As the US dollar rises, investors looking to profit are advised to look to sharemarkets in Japan and Europe.
Why superannuation attracts meddling politicians
Almost $2 trillion is sitting in a big piggy bank labelled 'Australian retirement savings' but politicians of all varieties can't help trying to prise it open.
Whitehaven secures a strong haul from lenders
![Whitehaven secures a strong haul from lenders](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Blogs/Opinion_Street Talk/201503/Images/street_talk_small (2).jpg)
Deutsche Bank says Whitehaven’s effective interest rate on its debt will drop to under 5 per cent from 6 per cent, after the coal producer announced a $1.4 billion refinancing.
![](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Logos/Right column/latest_news_puff.png)
![](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Logos/Right column/most_popular_puff.png)
![](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Logos/Right column/rear_window.png)
![](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Logos/Right column/broker_watch_puff.png)
The man behind Frank Gehry's shock building
![The man behind Frank Gehry's shock building](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/13/Photos/ba882260-c95d-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_syd-6jefwwthee84jk8w8db--90x60.jpg)
UTS business school dean Roy Green achieved one dream with his Frank Gehry building. Now he has another.
Australians turn to private jets for transport
![Australians turn to private jets for transport](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/13/Photos/ee5a43b2-c943-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_568673565--90x60.jpg)
We've reached the age where the perk of having your own plane is a necessity in Australia for some.
$35k fridge now coolest status symbol
![$35k fridge now coolest status symbol](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/13/Photos/23da19ec-c93d-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_syd-6jlajl8bims14t9u7ol9--90x60.jpg)
Who would spend $35,000 on a fridge? Keeping the lettuce crisp in style is the new battlefield among home owners.
Even money can’t buy gender equality at Goldman Sachs
![Even money can’t buy gender equality at Goldman Sachs](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/12/Photos/c44179dc-c8a4-11e4-9e34-da820745e634_syd-6jl9ev8tp3o2q8kaol9--90x60.jpg)
Updated | Even when their bonuses are linked to employing more women, Goldman Sachs' investment bankers resist promoting women.
Westpac boss ends 'death by PowerPoint'
![Westpac boss ends 'death by PowerPoint'](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/12/Photos/0dfb2372-c8df-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_syd-6jla2teu59khqc6xol9--90x60.jpg)
Brian Hartzer is tackling the tech tool that many believe to be bane of corporate life – the PowerPoint presentation.
Chinese shenanigans under O'Dwyer's nose
![Chinese shenanigans under O'Dwyer's nose](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/AFR/Blogs/Rear Window/201503/Images/syd-6jl9n6prja8y0heuol9--90x60.jpg)
Rear Window | While Kelly O'Dwyer leads the charge, there are Chinese property shenanigans going on in her own electorate.
New breed of directors with power and influence
![New breed of directors with power and influence](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/BOSS/2015/03/12/Photos/f40bac26-c8ec-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_syd-6bgv0jxjemc2itn32cs--90x60.jpg)
Directors joke that the digital economy is a lot like sex. Until you actually do it, you don't really “get it”.
How to create a work, life balance
![How to create a work, life balance](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/11/Photos/d0794426-c789-11e4-88b2-befebcebf2b0_560963176--90x60.jpg)
Self-care is the first casualty of a hectic life, but it’s the most crucial requirement for long-term success.
Why one-on-one meetings matter
![Why one-on-one meetings matter](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/12/Photos/ee287622-c86f-11e4-9e34-da820745e634_syd-5wy313g0p0gnx6iwm88-7292--90x60.jpg)
Removing meetings from your calendar isn’t always the best way to take back your time.
National
Turnbull hopes to scrap media ownership restrictions
Updated | Malcolm Turnbull is preparing to put a media reform package to cabinet that would include scrapping long standing media ownerships restrictions that stand in the way of further industry consolidation.
- Coalition divided over Christopher Pyne's threat to slash science funding
- Treasurer Joe Hockey's super-for-housing idea would cost $31b by 2050: PwC
- Senator Glenn Lazarus quits Palmer United Party after wife sacked
- Billions of super money heading offshore keeps Australia 'off the atlas' for investors
- Goldman Sachs can’t buy gender equality
- Luke Foley backs voters not experts on $13 billion poles and wires cost
- Prime Minister Tony Abbott stays out of the marginal seats
- Diversify or die: Holden supplier looks at Asia but fears it may fold
- Australian Building and Construction Commission bill faces Senate defeat
Opinion
Lynas needs a new security blanket
![Matthew Stevens Matthew Stevens](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/SysConfig/WebPortal/afr/_files/images/columns/matthew_stevens_small.jpg)
Amanda Lacaze accepts with an easy chuckle the idea that she might be leading Australia's toughest turnaround task.
Prepare for ageing first, homes later
![Editorial Editorial](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/SysConfig/WebPortal/afr/_files/images/columns/editorial_small.jpg)
Joe Hockey's suggestion that workers dip into their super to pay for midlife reskilling in a world where careers are longer and knowledge dates quickly seems flexible and imaginative.
World
Rome becomes hive of movie activity
Rome is once more celebrating its place as a centre of cinematic activity.
- Asia rush to cut rates may not be fast enough to avert deflation
- Russia's Putin missing in action as rumours swirl
- China looks to remove cap on deposit rates
- Dalai Lama's reincarnation has Beijing tied in knots
- Frigid weather hurt US retailers as sales drop
- Greece, OECD, sign cooperation deal on reform
- Intel cuts first-quarter revenue forecast by $US1b
- Modi passes first major economic reform
Business
Monde Nissin buys Menora Foods
Australian food brands Nudie, Peckish, Wattle Valley and Black Swan are heading to Asia after being snapped up by Philippines food company, Monde Nissin.
- Open season on top bankers making the move
- Impact of poisoning threat on NZ baby milk formula still not known
- Queue builds for Morgan Stanley's Investa
- TPG Telecom to buy iiNet for $1.4b
- Senex Energy extends hedging
- ASOS gets its mojo back in Australia
- Higher bank capital inevitable, says ANZ's Mike Smith
- NAB’s UK arm under fresh fire over ‘tailored business loans’
- NBN Co upgrade plans to send download speed rocketing
Technology
iiNet customers have the most to fear from the TPG deal
![iiNet customers have the most to fear from the TPG deal](/web/20150314235808im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2015/03/12/Photos/1fec88ee-c90e-11e4-9c8f-2b7862430a4a_syd-6jlnumzzvms10uvrfol9-363--90x60.jpg)
Comment | Whatever the acquisition of iiNet by TPG means to the finances of investors and the Perth-based ISPs well-respected founder Michael Malone, the deal is a huge change in the landscape for Australian internet users, and iiNet customers have the most to lose.
- IBM mulls bitcoin technology for major currencies
- Intel slashes quarterly revenue forecast by $US1 billion as PC demand drops
- Westpac boss ends 'death by PowerPoint'
- NBN Co upgrade plans to send download speed rocketing
- Big number problem for China's Xi Jinping and Apple's Tim Cook
- ACCC rejects Telstra's copper network pricing
Markets
S&P 500 slides for third week in a row
Wall Street fell, sending the S&P 500 to its third straight weekly decline, as a US dollar rally weighed on raw-material and industrial stocks.
- US Fed's tricky rates decision complicated by greenback's rise
- Open season on top bankers making the move
- Shares suffer second week of losses
- Think twice before investing in miners for yield
- Why superannuation attracts meddling politicians
- As the US dollar rises, weaker yen and euro likely to boost sharemarkets there
- Soft US data lifts $A, but ends week lower
Personal finance
Watch out for taxes on a company payout
Just when you thought you'd got a $1 million payout ... what happens when you forget the tax bill!
- Why superannuation attracts meddling politicians
- Why inheritance honeypot will include DIY superannuation
- Plunging rents a worry for property investors
- Weaker yen and euro likely to boost sharemarkets there
- Helping wineries become energy efficient
- Australian Grand Prix 2015 preview circuit round Albert Park
- Know rules for income test on age pensions
- Foreign exchange deals to make your holiday last longer
Latest TV
RBA eyes diving dollar, low rates
Consumers are finding more ways to save money, and the impact on business confidence won't please the RBA.
Residents take rezoning initiative
Neighbours are joining forces to get a better deal from developers in recently rezoned areas.
How cheaper gadgets boost the services sector
The services sector is booming as technology gets cheaper, but there's one big problem.
Why working parents shouldn’t feel guilty
Working parents shouldn't fear guilt, and there are steps to minimise the impact a job has on your children.