Why is ageing hard to talk about?

In life, many of us are totally at ease and comfortable talking to our family and friends about many topics. However, for whatever reason, there are certain subjects that we’re either reluctant or feel uneasy to discuss openly – typically they are love and relationships, politics, religion and money … call them the “taboo topics”.

Add another taboo topic to the list. That is the topic of ageing. As we age and reach our elderly years, asking for some help to do things to make life easier can be really hard to bring up in conversation.

When families get together, there are things we just notice but we’re reluctant to say anything. We notice that Dad might be starting to forget things or Mum is having difficulty getting out of her chair and seems a bit uneasy on her feet. Any attempt to say something is usually met either in silence or the words “I’m okay, just getting older” are uttered.

And for many families that’s where things are left.

Then there’s a crisis…

Families are then drawn together when there’s been a crisis such as a fall or a hospital admission. Then discussions and decisions are usually being made under high stress and emotion in hospital hallways and carparks. This is not an optimal starting point.

Making decisions and what’s the trade-off…

Like other life decisions, when it comes to ageing decisions, some are relatively simple to make with minimal consequences, whilst others can be very difficult.  When making decisions, there are usually “trade-offs” to be considered.

The impact of these trade-offs usually increases as the importance of the decision increases. Therefore, to make the best possible decision, it’s important to consider as many options as humanly possible.

So what needs to be thought about…

When it comes to ageing and getting some help there are usually many options to consider and everyone is different. For instance, when getting some help in the home, exactly what help is required and possible now and into the future, who will provide the help and at what cost? If moving into an aged care facility, what care will be required, where will the new home be, what to do with the family home, and how to pay for this are all decisions that need to be made and there are usually many options to consider.

So how do families identify these options and make appropriate decisions?

Where do you start? What questions do you ask and who to?  Are the answers you get back in your best interest … or someone else’s? What needs to be done and when? What happens if there’s a problem?

How Family Aged Care Advocates fit in…

That’s where Family Aged Care Advocates step in. We provide guidance and support to help families identify the relevant options to help you make informed decisions to get the best care outcomes for the people you love and care for most. We’re independent aged care specialists only interested in the right outcomes for your family … that’s all that matters and there’s no trade-off with that.

Material contained in this publication is a summary only and is based on information believed to be reliable and received from sources within the market. It is not the intention of RGM Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 36 419 582 Australian Financial Services Licence Number 229471, RGM Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd ABN 69 528 723 510 that this publication be used as the primary source of readers’ information but as an adjunct to their own resources and training. No representation is given, warranty made or responsibility taken as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any information or recommendation contained in this publication and RGM and its related bodies corporate will not be liable to the reader in contract or tort (including for negligence) or otherwise for any loss or damage arising as a result of the reader relying on any such information or recommendation (except in so far as any statutory liability cannot be excluded).

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

How do interest rates affect your investments?

Interest rates are an important financial lever for world economies. They affect the cost of borrowing and the return on savings, and it makes them an integral part of the return on many investments. It can also affect the value of the currency, which has a further trickle-down effect on other investments.

So, when rates are low they can influence more business investment because it is cheaper to borrow. When rates are high or rising, economic activity slows. As a result, interest rate movements are also a useful tool to control inflation.

Rising steadily

For the past few years, interest rates have been close to zero or even in negative territory in some countries, but that all started to change in the last year or so.

Australia lagged other world economies when it came to increasing rates but since the rises began here last year, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has introduced hikes on a fairly regular basis. Indeed, the base rate has risen 3.5 per cent since June last year.

The key reason for the rises is the need to dampen inflation. The RBA has long aimed to keep inflation between the 2 and 3 per cent mark. Clearly, that benchmark has been sharply breached and now the consumer price index is well over 7 per cent a year.

Winners and losers

There are two sides to rising interest rates. It hurts if you are a borrower, and it is generally welcomed if you are a saver.

But not all consequences of an interest rate rise are equal for investors and sometimes the extent of its impact may be more of a reflection of your approach to investment risk. If you are a conservative investor with cash making up a significant proportion of your portfolio, then rate rises may be welcome. On the other hand, if your portfolio is focussed on growth with most investments in say, shares and property, higher rates may start to erode the total value of your holdings.

Clearly this underlines the argument for diversity across your investments and an understanding of your goals in the short, medium, and long-term.

Shares take a hit

Higher interest rates tend to have a negative impact on sharemarkets. While it may take time for the effect of higher rates to filter through to the economy, the sharemarket often reacts instantly as investors downgrade their outlook for future company growth.

In addition, shares are viewed as a higher risk investment than more conservative fixed interest options. So, if low risk fixed interest investments are delivering better returns, investors may switch to bonds.

But that does not mean stock prices fall across the board. Traditionally, value stocks such as banks, insurance companies and resources have performed better than growth stocks in this environment.iAlso investors prefer stocks earning money today rather than those with a promise of future earnings.

But there are a lot of jitters in the sharemarket particularly in the wake of the failure of a number of mid-tier US banks. As a result, the traditional better performers are also struggling.

Fixed interest options

Fixed interest investments include government and semi-government bonds and corporate bonds. If you are invested in long-term bonds, then the outlook is not so rosy because the recent interest rates increases mean your current investments have lost value.

At the moment, fixed interest is experiencing an inverted yield curve, which means long term rates are lower than short term. Such a situation reflects investor uncertainty about potential economic growth and can be a key predictor of recession and deflation. Of course, this is not the only measure to determine the possibility of a recession and many commentators in Australia believe we may avoid this scenario.ii

What about housing?

House prices have fallen from their peak in 2022, which is not surprising given the slackening demand as a result of higher mortgage rates.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed an annual 35 per cent drop in new investment loans earlier this year.iii

The changing times in Australia’s economic fortunes can lead to concern about whether you have the right investment mix. If you are unsure about your portfolio, then give us a call to discuss.

i https://www.ig.com/au/trading-strategies/what-are-the-effects-of-interest-rates-on-the-stock-market-220705
ii https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2023/02/inverted-yield-curve-predicts-australian-recession/
iii https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/finance/lending-indicators/latest-release

How to handle a tax debt

After taking a softly, softly approach with taxpayers during the pandemic, the ATO has made it clear it will start chasing taxpayers for their outstanding tax related debts.

Starting with its aged debt book, the ATO is sending letters to taxpayers asking them to engage or face firmer action. An aged debt is an uneconomical debt the ATO has placed on hold and not taken any recent action to collect, but this is about to change.

Potential action includes offsetting tax refunds to pay tax debts and disclosing tax debts to credit reporting bureaus, a move that could affect your business’ credit rating and ability to raise funds.

Dealing with your tax debts

What are your options if you are having difficulty meeting your tax or employee super obligations?

The first thing to remember is not to panic. Ensure you lodge all your tax returns on time to avoid a late lodgment penalty and to show the ATO you are aware of your obligations and are doing your best to meet them.

Where you have a good payment history or are in serious hardship, the ATO will offer you support and you are likely to be treated more generously than if you have deliberately set out to avoid tax, or regularly fail to pay your tax.

If you can’t pay by the due date, you may be allowed to set up a payment plan. The ATO has a Payment Plan Estimator tool you can use to work out a suitable payment schedule. Daily interest on your unpaid debt will accrue, however, at an annual rate of 8.00 per cent in the July to September 2022 quarter.

Eligible small businesses owing activity statement amounts may also be able to make interest-free payments over 12 months.

What will the ATO do if I don’t pay?

Aside from charging interest, if you don’t pay, the ATO will begin offsetting future tax refunds to reduce your tax debt and debts to other government agencies, such as overdue child support.

The ATO may take stronger action with taxpayers unwilling to engage, repeatedly defaulting on payment plans, found to have deliberately avoided paying tax, or who are engaged in phoenix activities.

These harsher powers include issuing a garnishee notice or a DPN. Garnishee notices require an employer, bank or trade debtor to pay your money directly to the ATO to reduce your tax debt.

The ATO may also file a claim or summons, which can result in you receiving a bankruptcy notice, or a statutory demand and application to wind-up your company.

Missing super contributions

Failing to meet your obligation as an employer to pay Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions into your employees’ super accounts is also in the ATO’s sights.

If you don’t pay your required SG contributions by the quarterly payment deadlines, you must pay the SG Charge (SGC) and lodge an SGC Statement. The SGC consists of a shortfall amount, 10 per cent annual interest and an administration fee for each unpaid employee per quarter. You are also ineligible to claim a tax deduction for the SG contributions against your business income.

Penalties for SG non-payment

The ATO is prepared to support employers who engage and try to get things right with their SG payments but will take firmer action with businesses repeatedly failing to pay correct SG amounts or supply the necessary information.

With employers who pay and lodge their SGC Statement late, or who fail to provide information during an audit, the ATO can impose a Part 7 Penalty, which is up to 200 per cent of the SGC amount payable.

Company directors failing to meet their SGC liabilities risk having the business’ liability become their personal liability. The ATO may also start bankruptcy action or seek to wind-up your business.

Don’t ignore a tax debt

Communication with the ATO is essential when it comes to tax and super debts.

To get on top of the situation, contact the ATO or make an appointment with us to discuss your financial position and possible ways to pay your tax and super obligations. The sooner you act the better the outcome is likely to be.

Material contained in this publication is a summary only and is based on information believed to be reliable and received from sources within the market. It is not the intention of RGM Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 36 419 582 Australian Financial Services Licence Number 229471, RGM Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd ABN 69 528 723 510 that this publication be used as the primary source of readers’ information but as an adjunct to their own resources and training. No representation is given, warranty made or responsibility taken as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any information or recommendation contained in this publication and RGM and its related bodies corporate will not be liable to the reader in contract or tort (including for negligence) or otherwise for any loss or damage arising as a result of the reader relying on any such information or recommendation (except in so far as any statutory liability cannot be excluded).

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.