BEWARE OF SCAMS
It’s tax time and unfortunately NICRI has received calls from victims of a scam. Individuals have been called by someone claiming to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Victims are then offered a lump sum payment claiming to be a refund of some description. In order to receive the payment victims are instructed to call a number and follow further instructions to confirm eligibility. Sometimes the victim will be asked to pay a fee for processing or administrating the refund or told to fill out a form at the post office or online.
The ATO will not contact you in this way, nor will they ask for personal details or request you to call back for further instructions. Also if you are an Australian tax-payer and have lodged a tax return before, the ATO will not require you provide your personal details in order to get a refund or payment. If you have never lodged a tax-return or have not done one in a while then it is extremely unlikely the ATO will contact you about a refund. The ATO will never ask for your Personal Identification Number (PIN) or your credit card security number.
NEVER give personal details over the phone or internet. Even if you suspect the caller is legitimate, contact the ATO yourself BEFORE giving any personal details. The ATO’s call centre will be able to confirm the call is legitimate. For the ATO’s contact details visit their website on www.ato.gov.au. For more information from the ATO, including examples of scams click here.
If you have been a victim of a scam, contact the Australian Government’s SCAMwatch on 1300 795 995.
Super March
Super March has begun! During Super March we will be collecting your stories about your superannuation. To tell us your story click here.
New - Super Website
NICRI's new Super Website is now up and running. The site www.superannuation.nicri.org.au has information on the super guarantee, salary sacrificing, super funds, tax and more! For more information, call NICRI on 1800 020 110 or email us at superannuation@nicri.org.au.
NICRI is now on facebook!
Join us on facebook by clicking here. Become a fan and visit our facebook page for news and handy tips.
NEW - Redundancy Information Service
NICRI is well known for providing consumers with information on investments, retirement income streams, superannuation and the financial planning process and is now operating a new service to provide information to help employees facing redundancy. It is called the Redundancy Information Service and was launched on the 18th January 2010.
This new service is confidential, unbiased and is solely to ensure consumers are fully aware of all aspects of redundancy. Consumers who are facing redundancy are able to call a national toll free number 1800 660 391 and speak directly with an information officer.
The website - www.redundancy.nicri.org.au - has basic easy to understand information about issues associated with redundancy such as entitlements, taxation, Government Income Support and personal support as well as useful links to associated information.
The Redundancy Information Service also has a FREE Redundancy Kit containing our Redundancy and You booklet, factsheets and a checklist available for consumers to use as a reminder of issues that should be considered. The service is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Risk Meter
NICRI has developed a Risk Meter which shows a number of common investment types and shows the potential risk, return and ideal time frames.
Our Financial Planning Guide has Gone Colour!
Thanks to the financial assistance of the Association of Independent Retirees Australia (AIR). It is a user friendly and comprehensive guide that explains the financial planning process and is available to all consumers either through this site as an electronic copy or if you would like a hard copy drop us an email at nicri@nicri.org.au and we will post one.
Improved Calculators!
We have enhanced our suite of calculators and added an Account Based Income Stream calculator which aims to show a long term projection that incorporates variables such as time frames, performance and payment draw down. We have also added a results graph to our Reverse Mortgage calculator to show you the remaining equity you will have in your property which will vary according to the loan amount, interest rates and loan terms.