Industry super funds claim to be best performing, number one, and working only for members. But when you strip away marketing labels, awards, and inconsistent investment names, the data tells a different story. We compare balanced, growth, and high growth options on a like for like basis to see whether industry super funds are actually meeting the benchmarks they should, at a minimum, be achieving.
Read MoreGlobal headlines can feel unsettling, especially when they involve politics, oil, and markets. Here is what has really happened in Venezuela, and what it actually means for your superannuation and long term investment strategy.
Read MoreShould inheritance be included in your financial plan?
Many Australians quietly assume it will help fund retirement. The reality is far more uncertain. Here is how smart financial planning accounts for inheritance without relying on it.
Read MoreThe Bondi attack was confronting and traumatic for many Australians. For some, the impact will not fade quickly. This article explains how PTSD can affect daily life, work, income and financial security, and outlines the support and options available for those who need help navigating insurance, superannuation and Centrelink during recovery.
Read MorePTSD is not a weakness. It is an injury that can affect your ability to work, earn an income, and feel secure about the future.
For many Australians, navigating insurance claims, superannuation, tax rules, and Centrelink while dealing with trauma becomes overwhelming. This article explains the realities of PTSD related claims, the risks to watch out for, and the importance of having the right support during an already difficult time.
Read MoreMedically retired Queensland Police Officers are facing a silent crisis. After years of service, many are left to battle QSuper, insurers, endless paperwork, and aggressive demands while dealing with PTSD and the fallout of medical retirement. This article exposes what really happens when the badge comes off, the emotional and financial toll, and how Newcastle Advisors helps officers protect their payout, reduce tax, and rebuild clarity and control.
Read MoreMany Australians diagnosed with dust disease face declining health, limited work prospects and life changing workers compensation or TPD payouts. This article explains how to protect your settlement, reduce tax, qualify for disability support, create long term income and provide certainty for your family during medical retirement.
Read MoreMatthew McCabe is a Newcastle financial adviser known for his empathy, strategic thinking and genuine care. He supports everyday Australians through major life changes, specialising in medically retired clients, men’s mental health, retirement planning and wealth strategy. Matt helps people gain clarity, confidence and a clear plan for their future.
Read MoreGlobal markets experienced heightened volatility and a risk-off sentiment over the past week, driven by a confluence of factors including data uncertainty, inflation concerns, and anxiety surrounding key corporate earnings. While the NASDAQ and Russell 2000 showed significant volatility, other developed markets like Japan, Europe, and Australia also saw declines of around 5%. In contrast, emerging markets and global small companies outside the U U.S. demonstrated more resilience.
A primary concern for investors is the upcoming Nvidia earnings report, as AI valuations are now considered the top global tail risk, leading to pre-announcement jitters and a spike in the VIX. Compounding this, a U.S. government shutdown has created a data vacuum, delaying crucial economic reports and forcing the Federal Reserve to adopt a "wait and see" approach, making it difficult for policymakers and investors to accurately assess the market. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia appears to be concluding its easing cycle due to the Australian economy's unexpected resilience, particularly in its housing market, which contrasts with weakening U.S. housing sentiment. This divergence in economic performance and central bank policies across regions, alongside shifts in commodity markets, points to uneven market performance and increased dispersion across sectors moving forward.
Read MoreIt’s happening.
insurers are changing Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance, and Australians with mental health conditions could be left exposed.
With TPD claims among people in their 30s up 732% in a decade, insurers are tightening definitions and raising premiums. A new “affordable” TPD policy now uses Whole Person Impairment and Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scales making it harder than ever for trauma and mental health sufferers to qualify.
Learn what’s changing, who’s affected, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Too many injured Aussies are being squeezed by process, fees and bad advice at the very moment they’re most vulnerable. Here’s a practical guide to the TPD landscape: what’s normal, where it goes wrong, and how to protect your payout, your pension eligibility and your peace of mind.
Read MoreSeen the article saying Australia’s Age Pension age is dropping back to 65 in 2025? It’s fake.
The pension age remains 67, here’s the truth.
Read MoreThe collapse of Shield and First Guardian wiped out $1.2b in superannuation, impacting more than 12,000 Australians. While headlines target financial planners, the truth is different: fraudsters, auditors, trustees, research houses, and regulators failed to protect investors. This long-form opinion piece explains what really went wrong, why advisers shouldn’t be the scapegoats, and how the super system must change to protect Australians.
Read MoreMarkets around the world edged higher last week, with investors focused on whether central banks will cut interest rates in the months ahead.
All eyes are on the US Federal Reserve minutes this week, while consumer confidence data at home will show whether Aussies are feeling better after the rate cut.
Lower interest rates are generally good news for borrowers and investors, but inflation and job markets remain key things to watch.
Read MoreAustralia is heading toward a retirement reckoning. With declining birth rates, rising pension costs, and an over-reliance on immigration, the cracks are showing. This article explores whether it's time to tax the family home, rethink the Age Pension as “welfare,” and demand a serious overhaul of super and retirement policy. If you've worked hard and built wealth, the question isn't when you'll be targeted — it's how soon.
Read MoreIf you’ve been medically retired after an injury or illness, retirement may feel out of reach. This article shows how to turn a payout into a long-term plan — with structure, strategy, and support. Newcastle Advisors helps everyday Aussies retire on their own terms.
Read MoreWhen Peter was medically retired at 56, his TPD payout didn’t feel like a win — it felt like pressure. This story unpacks how Newcastle Advisors helped him navigate tax, Centrelink, super, and his future with clarity and calm. If you're overwhelmed by a payout, this one's for you.
Read MoreTPD payouts are often misunderstood. If you withdraw your payout the wrong way, you could owe the ATO thousands. This article breaks down how the tax-free uplift strategy works, who qualifies, and how Newcastle Advisors helps clients keep more of their money — not hand it to the tax office.
Read MoreYou finally got your TPD payout — now what? For many Aussies, the payout brings relief… and panic. This article breaks down the biggest mistakes, the smart moves, and how to turn a lump sum into long-term peace of mind.
Read MoreRBA Rate Cut May 2025: What It Means for Mortgages, Retirees, and House Prices
The RBA just cut interest rates to 3.85% — what does that mean for your mortgage, your retirement income, and the property market? Newcastle Advisors breaks it down in plain English.
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