The Role and Evolution of Friendly Societies in Australia Friendly societies are mutual, member-owned organisations that first emerged in Australia during the 1830s with the arrival of free workers. In an era when state-supported welfare systems were non-existent, friendly societies…
Funerals can be expensive, and when the time comes, emotions are high — the last thing we want is to leave behind unexpected financial stress. None of us like to think about it, but planning for the inevitable is one…
A pensioner can invest in a funeral bond up to a maximum threshold (currently $15,500) and their policy will be treated as an Exempt Asset for pension assessment purposes. This can have significant benefits for pensioners. For example, for someone…
An investment in a funeral bond such as Sureplan Gold, subject to an upper limit, is treated as an Exempt Asset for pension purposes. As the name implies, an Exempt Asset is not assessed as an asset by Centrelink. This…
If you are seeking Government assistance to help meet the accommodation and care costs of an aged care home, investing in Sureplan Gold funeral bond may be beneficial. To determine if you are eligible for Government assistance you will first…
When entering Aged Care, the level of any Government financial support is determined by a means-tested assessment – in other words an Income and Assets Test. Therefore, the reduction of assessable assets can help to qualify and/or increase the level…