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
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
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
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.
Kinghorn’s stormy successful career
Businessman John Kinghorn has a habit of success across his many ventures, but the damage he leaves behind is another matter.
Investors’ inside view of TPG billionaire
Notorious reclusive, TPG founder David Teoh, has earned widespread praise from backers.
Abbott’s errors the big issue for Baird
Laura Tingle | Tony Abbott's unforced errors are a liability for Mike Baird's campaign in NSW.
Whitehaven secures a strong haul from lenders
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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.
The man behind Frank Gehry's shock building
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
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
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
Updated | Even when their bonuses are linked to employing more women, Goldman Sachs' investment bankers resist promoting women.
Westpac boss ends 'death by PowerPoint'
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
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
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
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
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
Grand Prix still cheap at $500m, Ron Walker says
With the cost to taxpayers of staging the Australian Grand Prix set to top $500 million in its 20th year in Melbourne, Ron Walker is remaining typically defiant about the true value of the race.
Opinion
Lynas needs a new security blanket
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
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.
OECD sets land tax as next apple of reformer's eye
Joe Hockey is right: the GST probably will start to lose some of its revenue-raising power as people increasingly use the internet to shop overseas.
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
UK/NZ gazump Australia on Asia Investment Bank
New Zealand and now the UK have leapfrogged ahead of Australia in joining China's new $US50 billion infrastructure bank despite widespread calls from business that Australia should be a member.
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
Southern gas explorers yearn for NT fracking approach
Drilling Down | Gas drillers in the south-east, frustrated by moratoria and multiple parliamentary inquiries, wish the common-sense approach taken in the Northern Territory would filter south.
Technology
iiNet customers have the most to fear from the TPG deal
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
TPG to give Telstra a run for its money over broadband
Chanticleer | CEO David Teoh has laid the groundwork for TPG to give Telstra a good run for its money when the NBN rolls out.
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
Greenback retreats on rate rise timing debate
After pushing the US dollar to its strongest level in 12 years, the bulls are in retreat. At least for now, with the US currency extending losses after retail sales unexpectedly dropped.
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
Think twice before investing in miners for yield
As the big miners recognise that the commodity price boom is truly over, they have slashed costs and, in the absence of growth opportunities, are showering shareholders with cash.
Lifestyle
Daniel Ricciardo to chase Mercedes duo at Melbourne
The 2015 Formula One launches in Melbourne this weekend with the rest of the field trying to catch the Mercedes team.
Communal apartment spaces go posh
Sumptuous lobbies and elegant communal areas — even a tennis court — are on the way in new apartments.
Aston Martin by two
We test two plush and thoroughly British models of the Aston Martin, the Vanquish and Rapide S.
Panasonic’s DMC-GF7 takes selfie masterpieces
John Davidson‘s Panasonic GF7 is set to maximum soft skin, defocus, and slimming.
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.
