Residential aged care costs by Christine Hopper Families new to residential aged care can be confused by the web of fees and charges for residential aged care. Accommodation charges are fixed on entry but daily care fees change regularly. Below is an “illustration” of the fees and charges that could apply to new entrants to Read more about Residential aged care costs – an illustration[…]
Homeowner at Centrelink and DVA By Christine Hopper Avid readers of Commonwealth Pension means testing charts notice that the Asset Test Allowances have different amounts for ‘homeowners’ and ‘non-homeowners’. So who is a homeowner at Centrelink and DVA? Homeowner Suburban Examples Mary still owns the family home situated well inside a standard block in suburbia. Read more about Homeowner at Centrelink and DVA[…]
Supported Residential Service or SRS Private Aged Care Homes By Christine Hopper What is Supported Residential Service or SRS? A Supported Residential Service or SRS, is like a guest house or private hotel, offering short or long term accommodation, all meals in a dining room and communal activities together with some personal support. Each Supported Residential Service or Read more about Supported Residential Service or SRS[…]
Service Pensions for Australian Veterans By Christine Hopper Veterans who actively served in roles where they were exposed to danger from the enemy in World War II or later conflicts, can apply to the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs (“DVA”) for a Service Pension. The Service Pension is of equivalent amount and subject to the Read more about Pensions for Australian Veterans[…]
The complexities of aged care accommodation costs for Couples at Centrelink who met later in life By Christine Hopper James and Jenny exchanged the family home for a modest new townhouse near their adult children. James had only recently retired and when Jenny died suddenly. After a few years of living alone, James embarked on Read more about Residential aged care for seniors in new relationships[…]
Annuities – Income Streams By Christine Hopper Long ago annuities were purchased by healthy, wealthy seniors as a means of converting lump sums into extended lifetime income streams. These folk were paid annuities as income streams. Annuities are now being marketed to retirees, so what is an annuity and why would I buy one? The purchase of an annuity Read more about Annuities – Income Streams[…]
Early Retirees seeking help with Health Care Costs By Christine Hopper The Commonwealth ‘Low Income Health Care Card’ provides access to the Concession Rates for PBS prescriptions and Commonwealth funded bulk billing medical services similar to those available to Age Pensioners. Some State government and utility providers also offer concessions and/or discounts to holders of Read more about Low Income Health Care Card[…]
Full Centrelink Pension for legally blind residents By Christine Hopper Centrelink pay the full Age or Disability Support Pension to residents who are ‘legally blind’. So who is legally blind and not just vision impaired? When we hear that someone is ‘blind’ we sometimes assume that the person has no vision. Sadly some people have Read more about Full Centrelink Pension for legally blind residents[…]
Take advantage of travel concessions to go out and about in winter By Christine Hopper In the cooler darker months you could 1. Escape by travelling north and repeatedly alert friends to the warmth and beauty of Queensland 2. Hibernate and refuse to interact socially with anyone (OK for one day only, then move Read more about Take advantage of travel concessions to go out and about in winter[…]
Advance Funding of Funerals encouraged at Centrelink By Christine Hopper Advance Funding of Funerals is encouraged at Centrelink and DVA. Advance funding of funerals could mean a prepaid funeral or funeral bonds. Centrelink and DVAtreat prepaid funerals as ‘exempt assets’ for pension means testing purposes. Thus prepaid funerals are not counted for the Age Pension Read more about Advance Funding of Funerals encouraged at Centrelink[…]
Advance funding of your funeral Alas each of us will die eventually. A healthy lifestyle and advanced medical care might prolong life but the day will come eventually when our mortal bodies are worn out and just stop functioning. Is a funeral essential? Australian law requires that ‘human remains’ be treated with dignity. Thus your Read more about Advance funding of your funeral[…]
Age Pensions and Retirement Living Costs Who is eligible for the Pension? The Commonwealth provides a basic income to Australian residents who are considered unable to work full time on account of age or disability. The Age Pension for men aged 65 years and women aged 64 years and 6 months, and its financial equivalent: Read more about Age Pensions and Retirement Living Costs[…]
Buying into seniors paradise, but at what price? Signing up for your dream home in a retirement lifestyle community village means agreeing to buy a bundle of services in exchange for a package of fees and charges. You maybe enthralled by the offer of fully maintained recreational facilities: your own gym and swimming pool, a Read more about Buying into seniors paradise, but at what price?[…]
When should seniors move home? by Christine Hopper When should seniors move home? The time when seniors should move home is clear to the sellers of seniors lifestyle communities. Wisdom is recognising that the family home might soon be inappropriate for your needs and having the courage to sell up and buy into ‘seniors friendly’ accommodation. But what Read more about When should seniors move home?[…]
Self funded retirees still want Pensioner Concession Cards It can be very disappointing for self funded retirees to find out that they are not entitled to a Pensioner Concession Card. The good news is that the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card can give self funded retirees who pass an income test the Commonwealth entitlements that Read more about Self funded retirees still want Pensioner Concession Cards[…]
How to avoid a Centrelink debt by Christine Hopper If you receive a Centrelink pension payment, you need to tell Centrelink about your income and assets and about any changes in your personal circumstances. Failure to update Centrelink could cause you to be overpaid. Overpayments result in debts at Centrelink and reduced pension payments later. Read more about How to avoid Centrelink debt[…]
Is it time to move into aged care? Now that Christmas and New Year are over, have you started thinking that you or someone you know might be ready to consider moving into retirement accommodation? It is a difficult decision that requires careful consideration. Here are a few questions you might like to answer. . Read more about Is it time to move into Aged Care or Retirement Living?[…]