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Financial StrategyArticles

In-depth articles about investing, superannuation, tax planning, and wealth creation strategies. Expert insights to help you make smarter financial decisions.

Latest Articles

Explore our collection of financial strategy articles and insights

53 articles

First home super saver scheme

First Home Super Saver Scheme Withdrawal

The FHSS withdrawal process has a strict sequence and timing rules that catch people out. Here is how to get the order right and avoid the common mistakes.

2 April 2026
11 min read
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First home super saver scheme

First Home Super Saver Scheme Eligibility

FHSS eligibility has two parts: who qualifies and what contributions count. Here are the key rules to check before relying on the scheme.

1 April 2026
10 min read
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First home super saver scheme

Is the First Home Super Saver Scheme Worth It?

The FHSS scheme can help some first home buyers save tax, but it is not always worth the effort. Here is how to decide if it fits.

31 March 2026
10 min read
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First home super saver scheme

First Home Super Saver Scheme Explained

The FHSS scheme can help you save for a first home through super, but it is not right for everyone. Learn what counts, how it works, and whether it fits.

30 March 2026
14 min read
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Negative Gearing

What Happens If Negative Gearing Is Abolished or Changed in Australia?

Learn what could happen if negative gearing is abolished or changed in Australia, including impacts on investors, tax, cash flow, and property decisions.

20 March 2026
10 min read
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Negative Gearing

Negative Gearing vs Positive Gearing: What’s the Difference?

Learn the difference between negative and positive gearing in Australia, how each affects cash flow and tax, and when each may make sense.

19 March 2026
9 min read
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Negative Gearing

Negative Gearing Example in Australia: A Simple Property Scenario

See a simple negative gearing example in Australia with rent, expenses, tax effect, and why the deduction still does not eliminate the loss.

18 March 2026
7 min read
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Negative Gearing

Is Negative Gearing Worth It? Pros, Cons and Common Mistakes

Learn when negative gearing may or may not be worth it in Australia, the main pros and cons, and the common mistakes property investors make.

17 March 2026
10 min read
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Negative Gearing

Negative Gearing in Australia: What It Is and How It Works

Learn what negative gearing means in Australia, how it works on an investment property, the tax effect, and when it may or may not make sense.

16 March 2026
11 min read
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Catch Up Concessional Contributions

Catch Up Concessional Contributions Expiry and the Five Year Rule

Understand when unused concessional cap amounts expire, how the five year carry forward window works, which years roll off in 2025–26, and how the ATO applies amounts.

14 March 2026
6 min read
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Catch Up Concessional Contributions

Catch Up Concessional Contributions and Tax Deductions

How catch up concessional contributions work with personal tax deductible super contributions, what counts towards the cap, timing traps, and what to check before claiming.

13 March 2026
7 min read
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Catch Up Concessional Contributions

How to Check Unused Concessional Contributions in myGov

Step by step guide to checking unused concessional cap amounts in myGov and ATO online services, plus how to interpret the numbers and common pitfalls.

12 March 2026
6 min read
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Catch Up Concessional Contributions

What Happens If You Exceed Concessional Contributions?

Clear guide to excess concessional contributions in Australia, how the ATO taxes the excess, when carry forward amounts apply, and options to release up to 85% from super.

12 March 2026
6 min read
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Catch Up Concessional Contributions

Catch Up Concessional Contributions (Australia)

Clear guide to catch up concessional contributions in Australia, including eligibility, how caps apply, expiry rules, tax impact, and how to avoid mistakes.

11 March 2026
13 min read
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Recontribution Strategy

Recontribution Strategy in Pension Phase

Clear guide to doing a recontribution strategy in pension phase, including what happens to components, accumulation vs pension, and how pension refresh works.

10 March 2026
7 min read
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Recontribution Strategy

How Much Tax Do Adult Children Pay on Super?

Clear guide to super death benefits tax in Australia for adult children, including tax rates, taxable vs tax free components, and a worked example.

9 March 2026
7 min read
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Recontribution Strategy

Tax Free vs Taxable Components of Super Explained

Clear guide to tax free and taxable components of super in Australia, including how components are created, the proportioning rule, and why it matters.

8 March 2026
7 min read
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Recontribution Strategy

Recontribution Strategy Age Limits (Under 60, Over 65, Over 75)

Clear guide to recontribution strategy age limits in Australia, including when you can withdraw super, recontribute it, and what changes after age 75.

7 March 2026
7 min read
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Recontribution Strategy

Recontribution Strategy Example (How the Numbers Work)

Step by step example showing how a super recontribution strategy can increase the tax free component of super and potentially reduce death benefits tax.

6 March 2026
5 min read
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Recontribution Strategy

Superannuation Recontribution Strategy Explained (2026 Guide for Australians)

Clear guide to the superannuation recontribution strategy in Australia including how it works, contribution limits, tax benefits and eligibility.

5 March 2026
8 min read
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Superannuation

Spouse Super Contribution Calculator: Estimate Your $540 Tax Offset

Free spouse super contribution calculator. Estimate your tax offset up to $540, check income thresholds, and understand how spouse contributions work in Australia.

4 March 2026
5 min read
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Superannuation

Contribution Splitting Explained: How the 85% Rule Works

Clear guide to super contribution splitting in Australia, including eligible contributions, the 85% rule, timing, caps, and how to apply through your fund.

3 March 2026
5 min read
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Superannuation

Spouse Super Contributions vs Contribution Splitting: What’s the Difference?

Clear comparison of spouse super contributions and contribution splitting in Australia, including tax offset eligibility, caps, timing rules, and when each may suit.

2 March 2026
6 min read
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Superannuation

Spouse Super Contribution Eligibility: The Complete Checklist

Full eligibility checklist for spouse super contributions in Australia, including income tests, age rules, residency, caps, and total super balance limits.

1 March 2026
5 min read
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Superannuation

Spouse Super Tax Offset: How to Claim It in Your Tax Return

Step by step guide to claiming the spouse super tax offset, including income definitions, thresholds, eligibility rules, and how to complete label T3.

28 February 2026
5 min read
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Superannuation

Spouse Super Contributions in Australia: $540 Tax Offset Explained

Clear guide to spouse super contributions in Australia, including eligibility rules, income thresholds, the $540 tax offset, and contribution splitting differences.

27 February 2026
7 min read
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Superannuation

Super Co-Contribution vs LISTO (2025–26): What’s the Difference and Can You Get Both?

Clear comparison of the super co-contribution and LISTO for 2025–26, including eligibility rules, income thresholds, and whether you can receive both.

26 February 2026
4 min read
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Superannuation

Super Co-Contribution Thresholds 2025–26: Income Limits Explained

2025–26 super co-contribution income thresholds explained, including the $47,488 lower limit, $62,488 upper limit, taper rules, and payment rates.

25 February 2026
4 min read
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Superannuation

Super Co-Contribution Eligibility 2025–26: Am I Eligible?

Clear 2025–26 checklist for super co-contribution eligibility, including $47,488 and $62,488 thresholds, income tests, age rules, and contribution requirements.

24 February 2026
5 min read
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Superannuation

How to Claim the Super Co-Contribution 2025–26

Step-by-step guide to how the super co-contribution is paid in 2025–26, including whether you need to apply, deadlines, and when the ATO pays it.

23 February 2026
5 min read
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Superannuation

How the Super Co-Contribution Is Calculated (2025–26)

Plain English guide to how the 2025–26 super co-contribution is calculated, including the 50c rate, 3.333c taper, income thresholds and worked examples.

22 February 2026
3 min read
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Account Based Pension

TTR vs Account Based Pension: What Changes When You Retire?

TTR vs account based pension explained clearly. Compare tax, withdrawal limits and retirement phase rules in Australia.

21 February 2026
5 min read
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Account Based Pension

How an Account Based Pension Affects the Age Pension

How an account based pension is assessed under the Age Pension assets and income tests. Clear explanation of deeming and key rules.

20 February 2026
4 min read
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Account Based Pension

Can You Add Money to an Account Based Pension?

Can you add money to an account based pension? Clear explanation of the rules, what happens to new contributions and practical options.

19 February 2026
5 min read
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Account Based Pension

Account Based Pension vs Lump Sum: What’s the Difference?

Account based pension vs lump sum explained clearly. Compare tax, flexibility, longevity risk and when each option may make sense.

18 February 2026
5 min read
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Account Based Pension

Account Based Pension Minimum Drawdown Rates (2025–26)

Full guide to account based pension minimum drawdown rates for 2025–26, including percentages by age, pro-rata rules and what happens if you miss the minimum.

17 February 2026
5 min read
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Account Based Pension

Account Based Pension Explained (Australia)

Clear guide to how an account based pension works in Australia, including tax, minimum drawdowns, transfer balance cap and Age Pension impact.

16 February 2026
7 min read
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Transition to Retirement

How Salary Sacrifice Works With a TTR Strategy

Learn how salary sacrifice works with a transition to retirement pension, including contribution caps, tax impact and when the strategy makes sense.

15 February 2026
5 min read
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Transition to Retirement

What Happens to a TTR Pension at Age 65?

Learn what happens to a transition to retirement pension at age 65, including retirement phase rules, tax changes, and removal of the 10 percent cap.

15 February 2026
5 min read
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Transition to Retirement

Common TTR Mistakes and When It Backfires

Learn the common transition to retirement mistakes, when a TTR strategy backfires, and how to avoid reducing your super unnecessarily.

14 February 2026
5 min read
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Transition to Retirement

Can You Work Full Time With a TTR Pension?

Yes, you can work full time with a transition to retirement pension. Learn the rules, limits, tax impact and when it makes sense.

13 February 2026
4 min read
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Transition to Retirement

Tax on a Transition to Retirement Pension Explained

Understand how tax works on a transition to retirement pension, including earnings tax, payments before and after 60, and retirement phase rules.

11 February 2026
5 min read
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Transition to Retirement

TTR Pension Minimum and Maximum Withdrawal Rules Explained

Understand the minimum and maximum withdrawal rules for a transition to retirement pension, including the 10 percent cap and pro rata requirements.

10 February 2026
5 min read
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Division 293 tax

Paying Division 293 From Super: How the Election Works

Learn how paying Division 293 from super works, including the 60 day election window, due dates, and pros and cons compared to paying personally.

10 February 2026
5 min read
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Division 293 tax

How to Reduce Division 293 Tax in Australia

Division 293 cannot usually be avoided, but some choices affect when and how it applies. Learn what you can and cannot control in Australia.

2 February 2026
5 min read
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Division 293 tax

Division 293 Calculator: Estimate Your Extra Super Tax

Estimate Division 293 tax using the $250,000 threshold. See how income and concessional contributions interact and what happens if you’re just over.

1 February 2026
4 min read
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Division 293 tax

Division 293 Income Explained: What Counts and What Doesn’t

Division 293 income is not just salary. Learn what the ATO includes, why one off events matter, and common reasons assessments surprise people.

1 February 2026
5 min read
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Division 293 tax

Division 293 Tax Explained (2025–26): Who Pays & How It Works

Division 293 tax applies when your income plus concessional contributions exceeds $250,000. Learn how it works, examples, and your payment options.

1 February 2026
7 min read
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Division 293 tax

Division 293 for Defined Benefit Members: What’s Different

Defined benefit members face different Division 293 rules. Learn how notional contributions work, why tax can be deferred, and when it is paid.

1 February 2026
5 min read
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Division 293 tax

Is Division 293 Tax Unfair? Who It Affects in Australia

A clear, neutral look at Division 293 tax. Who pays it, why it exists, how many Australians are affected, and the fairness debate.

1 February 2026
5 min read
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Retirement

Retirement Planning Australia: A Clear Guide for the Next 5–10 Years

A clear guide to retirement planning in Australia for the next 5–10 years. Income over balances, super structure, the Age Pension, investment risk, and practical steps—without the hype.

30 January 2026
8 min read
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Transition to Retirement

Transition to Retirement Explained: Rules, Benefits, Examples & When It's Worth Using

Learn how a transition to retirement pension works in Australia, including rules, tax treatment, drawdown limits, and when a TTR strategy makes sense.

28 January 2026
7 min read
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Superannuation

Super Co-Contribution 2025–26: Eligibility and $500 Boost

2025–26 guide to the super co-contribution, including $47,488 and $62,488 thresholds, eligibility rules, taper rates, and how to receive up to $500.

15 January 2026
5 min read
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Alan O'Reilly - Financial Adviser

Meet Alan O'Reilly — a licensed financial adviser helping Australians make smarter decisions with their money.

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© 2026 Financial Planning with Alan

Licensed Financial Adviser | Melbourne, Australia

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. It should not be relied upon as personal financial advice. Before making any financial decisions, consider whether the information is appropriate for your circumstances and seek independent professional advice where necessary.

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