MORGANS
Good news is currently hard to find, but the new lower deeming rates may give relief to some people through higher cashflows – and comes as good news.
Deeming simplifies how your investments are assessed for Centrelink/Veterans’ Affairs entitlements and aged care fee contributions, by applying a government set interest rate to all financial investments. This includes bank accounts, shares, managed funds and some account-based pensions.
But when deeming rates have been higher than what the bank is paying in interest, it has caused inequities, unless taking higher levels of risk are taken with investments.
What are the new deeming rates?
Deeming rates fell by 0.75% on 1 May. This has reset deeming rates to:
Who may benefit?
The benefit of the lower deeming rates may be seen through higher pension entitlements and lower aged care fees. People who were likely to benefit are those:
- Receiving a part-pension that is assessed under the income test
- Paying an income-tested fee for home care packages
- Paying a means-tested fee for residential aged care
- Who are low-means and paying a daily accommodation payment (DAP) towards residential aged care accommodation.
Self-funded retirees who have previously missed out on an age pension because of their level of assessable income, may wish to review their situation to see if they now qualify.
We are here to help
All assessable investment assets, including account-based pensions and investment portfolios, were automatically re-assessed for Income Test purposes from 1 May 2020 against the reduced deeming rates. Pensioners already receiving Centrelink or DVA benefits do not have to do anything in this regard.
However, where your investment portfolio or superannuation/pension portfolio has fallen significantly in value over the past few months, you should ensure an updated valuation is passed on to Centrelink, so you are assessed using up-to-date values. You can update any changes to your circumstances via one of the following self service methods:
1. Logging on to your MyGov account and updating details via your Centrelink online account.
2. Using the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
3. Contacting Centrelink using their phone self service (have your Customer Access Number & PIN). Alternatively, if you are not comfortable using the self service line you can call their 132 307 number.
If you are paying fees that are means-tested (or income-tested) fee towards aged care services, the reductions may not have occurred until the government did its quarterly review and fee adjustment on 1 July.
If you are unsure about your aged care fees and want them checked, or if financial advice is needed, we are here to help. We can help with calculations and advice to ensure you are managing cashflow most effectively. And in the spirit of social distancing we are offering limited face to face meetings by appointment as well as running meetings via video conferencing.
Contact us today
Sophie Doyle 4325 0884
morgans.com.au/gosford/aged-care
Sophie Doyle (AR#000470612) is an Aged Care Specialist at Morgans Financial Limited (Morgans AFSL 235410/ABN49 010 669 726); with a passion for assisting people make informed financial decisions as they navigate their way through retirement and the aged care system.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is general advice only and does not take into account your particular circumstances. We recommend specific tax or legal advice be sought before any action is taken and refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before investing in any product. Rates current at 1 May 2020.
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