Pension Pathways in Bunbury, Western Australia | Business service

Pension Pathways

Locality: Bunbury, Western Australia

Address: Wittenoom St Bunbury 6230 Bunbury, WA, Australia

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23.01.2022 Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas. This year has been very busy and we have met some lovely customers, and achieved great results. We will be taking some time off now to recharge our batteries, so the office will be closed from December 23 until January 8, 2018. After this, we are looking forward to being able to assist with your Centrelink enquiries. I hope everyone can also enjoy this festive time of year and start 2018 feeling refreshed and inspired. ... All the best from Julien and Janette Bradford of Pension Pathways.

22.01.2022 If you are living in Perth and would like to use my services. I will be available in Perth throughout this year. I am available for interviews on January 17th and 18th in the suburb of Burswood. Call for details and bookings 0414 985 499

22.01.2022 Hello. What a busy year it’s already been so far, helping people access their Centrelink entitlements. Part of my aim is to educate and raise awareness in relation to pensions. This post is in regard to entitlements for people receiving a part-pension and who have investment in real estate. Some areas, particularly rural and regional Western Australia, have experienced a fall in property values. A lower asset value could mean a higher pension entitlement to anyone not ...receiving a full pension. However, Centrelink don’t automatically update property valuations in accordance with the real estate market. It is up to the recipient to advise Centrelink of any changes to their financial position. If you need help understanding your entitlements or updating your details with Centrelink please call me to make an appointment on: 0414 985 499. I take the angst out of dealing with rules and regulations so that you can keep enjoying your retirement. Kind regards Julien.

22.01.2022 I must admit - I wouldn't normally post self focused messages from my customers - but I do want to share this feedback from my customer today - which is both gratifying to me in relation to providing the service that I do but unfortunately is a true reflection of a system that makes applying for entitlements after a lifetime of contributions to the country such a terrible journey. The feed back that follows is the feedback I received today (with the names changed). "Thanks J...ulien I am totally over the moon as to how the whole process has gone. You have been precisely the person with the skills you have, to have made our journey far more tollerable. I cannot praise you enough, the valuable service you provide. Jill has been to see her doctor today. We will go through the form that he has completed and get it to you ASAP. Again, thank you for taking the stress out of the process that I would have had to put up with. Sincerely yours, Jack and Jill Smith." While I was able to help my customers through the maze of dealing with Centrelink (which took nearly 3 months) - the ordinary person gets a barrage of mis-information - wrong outcomes and NO SERVICE as a thank you for their years of contribution while a retiring politician gets an army of public servants helping them to claim there pension a week after they retire. I'm not even sure that the government is trying to get re-elected given the disdain they hold for our retiring citizens. Three months for the average claim - please tell your local member to pull their finger out.

21.01.2022 Recently I saw a single Age Pension customer from Busselton who I had met me a few months earlier and took my business card - at the time she suspected something was not right with her pension - it was a brief encounter and when she finally did come and see me - we were able to determine that the structure of her superannuation income stream was causing an unnecessary decrease to her pension. She was missing out on $4000 a year of pension and the combined with the cost of run...ning her unhelpful income stream (costing $3000 a year) - her $100,000 investment was costing a total of $7000 a year. The lady paid a $90 consultation fee to get the facts that she needed to get the most out of her Centrelink pension - she will now be $7000 a year better off. If you are receiving a part pension due to either the income or assets test - and you've wondered whether you are getting the correct rate - I would highly recommend that you get a $90 Pension Health Check. See more

21.01.2022 Hi everyone, as we are coming to the end of the year, I would like to advise that the office will be closed from this Friday the 14th December, through until Monday the 14th January. Essential service obligations such as reporting will continue to be met for my existing customers. Stay well everyone. Kind regards Julien.

16.01.2022 This something of a repeat - but definately worth repeating. People in Business that are 65 and over. I've had three customers in the last two months that are in their late sixties and running a business and making the presumption that they can't get the Age pension. I'm not sure where or how this untruth got its foundation however nothing could be further from the truth. Once you are old enough - currently the age of 65. It simply boils down to an income and assets test. In... regards to a couple - if your combined income is under $77,000 per annum and your assets (not including your home) are under $821,500 then it's quite likely you have an entitlement. (NB. Super in partners accumulation phase if they are under 65 is also exempt) This post is not put here to give you the exact figures (figures above are approxiamates). It is however here to point out that if you are 65 and still in business (or still wage earner for that matter) then you should be asking the question. Would I be entitled to anything? The answer is more often than not, YES. The other interesting thing I get to hear is "I'm getting by - I don't really need it". This often is quite true - it's a generous system. But, My interpretation of that is "You believe the government will do a better job of using that money than you would" There are plenty of worthy charities that don't get government support. Apply for a pension and give it to them if you have enough. Now that's something to think about! See more

15.01.2022 It's Christmas time - Merry Christmas to all my customers and Facebook followers. I'll be having a break between Christmas and New Year so if there is a delay in my response - that will be the reason. 2017 in review. I thought I'd rank the top 3 misconceptions for the year. Misconception No. 1 - you have to be retired before claiming a pension - This IS NOT TRUE. You only have to be old enough and under an income and assets test. Lots of people get a pension and work part tim...e or even full time. Misconception No. 2 - Centrelink know everything - why do I have to give them evidence of everything? The truth is that Centrelink have the power to investigate Fraud and also have significant data matching capabilities but the onus is on you to provide Centrelink with all your details and when on a pension - you need to keep them updated with your changes. Not updating your details can result in under payment of your pension. Misconception No. 3 - Married or partnered people can get a Single rate of pension if only one of you is applying. This is not correct. If you are a married or partnered person - you will get a married or partnered rate of pension. When you are both eligible - you will both get a married or partnered rate pension. If you need any help in 2018 - I'd be happy to help alleviate the stress of having to deal with Centrelink. God Bless - Julien Bradford - Manager of Pension Pathways

14.01.2022 Simple Centrelink truths. When you're completing a claim form and you tick a box that you don't understand with the hope that someone will understand what you mean. Well - it's time to say. " Welcome to your nightmare" NB. I can relieve you of your nightmare but prefer you seek my help before the box ticking takes place.

10.01.2022 Are you having issues getting your Age Pension granted? Well, so is everyone else. It seems that the Government is quite happy to treat Age Pensioners like second class citizens by taking months to process Age pension claims after what is usually a lifetime of working and paying taxes. Claims that used to take a month are now taking 3 months and claims that used to take 3 months are now taking six months. I just finished assisting someone that claimed in August 2016 and was ...granted a pension in July 2017 and survived by selling personal assets that they treasured. It is time to tell your local member that it is NOT good enough to treat pensioners in this way. That doesn't even address the issue that the Government wants pensioners to claim online even if they don't have the ability to do so. My business helps people through the mine field of Claiming an Age pension and takes the worry out of dealing with Centrelink - but lets face it - I wouldn't exist if the government was doing its job. I'm based in Bunbury but can assist anyone anywhere in Australia. I'm in Perth early next week if you'd like me to assist with your Age Pension claims or queries. Ring 0414 985 499 to make a booking. If you get the claim right at the beginning - it's more likely that your claim will be processed within a reasonable time frame. An incorrect ticking of a box will add nothing but heart-ache and months of delays. And lastly, if you have some spare time and good cause - start letting your local member know that it's unsatisfactory to have pensioners being put on the back of the Queue when it comes time for them claim their entitlements. See more

08.01.2022 Happy new year to all my clients and welcome to 2018. I hope everyone has had an enjoyable Christmas break. I've returned to work after recharging my batteries and am looking forward to a busy and productive year ahead. Work is already in full swing, helping people resolve their Centrelink issues. My purpose is to ensure people receive their correct Centrelink entitlements, specialising in Age Pension. Already this year, we have uncovered gaps and oversights in the system which has seen incorrect payment to pensioners. I am able to educate people about their Centrelink rights and entitlements, so if you have an enquiry call me on 0414985499. As always, stay well and stay tuned. All the best, Julien.

06.01.2022 Did you turn 65 in July or August this year. As you know - you can't get the Age Pension until your 65 and a half but that means you're eligible in January and February 2018. Word of advice - start organising your claim for the pension NOW! Centrelink have an appalling wait time on pension processing - 3 to 6 months is the new normal. Although you cannot submit a claim until 3 months before your entitlement - you can prepare your claim and get it ready to lodge on the dot of ...3 months before your eligibility Age. If you need a hand - give me a call. 0414 985 499. I operate in Bunbury but can help you from any location. My next visit to Perth is Friday 22nd September if you prefer a face to face meeting. Remember - if you already turned 65 before July 2017 then you should be claiming now. And lastly - you do not have to finish work before you claim a pension - you may already be entitled if your income is below the limit. See more

05.01.2022 Moving house. It’s a big issue. I’ve just done it again in the last few weeks on its own it brings about big issues such as keeping every service from insurance to banks to power and gas, phone etc etc etc, informed about your new circumstances. Then there is the nightmare of discerning between needs and wants for the million possessions that you have collected over time a lot of it just has to go. It’s hard work and it has an emotional impact. If you’re on an Age Pension... - then the issues are just that much bigger it’s quite likely you haven’t moved in a lifetime and you have to make a lot of decisions about the things that you have collected over time. You are quite likely to be down-sizing and many things just have to go. One of the big things or rather issues that gets mis-understood or taken for granted is the whether there will be an impact on your pension when you make a move particularly if you are not buying and selling at the same time. There is a confused understanding from the general public regarding something about a 12 month window where your pension won’t be affected and that’s where most people fall through the cracks of mis-understanding. There is such a thing as being exempt from an assets test for 12 months but there is not an exemption from being impacted by an Income test (which is the most likely of the two tests to impact you). Other housing issues that can come up are giving your house away before you die so the children get the benefits now while you’re alive to enjoy the benefits of giving and so Age Care facilities won’t slug you hundreds of thousands of dollars to gain entry into their facility when the time comes. This creates nightmares for families and can at worse cut you off from a pension. If you are making decisions about your home when you are on a pension get professional advice first. At the very least ask Centrelink if there are any impacts in your personal situation (you just have to hope you talk to some-one who knows what they are talking about) I offer such a service. My 20 years working and specialising in Age Pension will see that you are getting the right information that you need when you are making a decision to move house or change ownership of your house. My $90 Consultation fee includes an overall health check of your pension Are you getting all your entitlements? and includes running the what if scenarios including the issue of Housing Last thing if you are looking at moving in a few years time. My best advice is - Start culling things now.

03.01.2022 Hi everyone. Sorry for not posting much but this is pretty important for quite a number of my customers and of course the wider population so here I go with another post. Are you an "Asset tested Part pensioner with Share holdings"? If so - this will interest you. Every 20th March and 20th of September - all of your share holdings are valued by Centrelink using a value from approx 10 days before these dates and then it remains to be held as the ongoing value for 6 months unle...ss there are other triggers that change the value to a more recent one. The triggers are generally customer generated so if your used to sitting back and doing nothing then the values get held for 6 months. Ordinarily not such a big issue except when, for example - as is now the case - the September prices for most shares were flying high and a few weeks later - they are not doing so well. Therefore doing nothing means that Centrelink are assessing more assets than you actually have. Calling Centrelink to update your share values means that under most circumstances - it will result in a higher rate of pension due to the lower value of share holdings. A good example - Wesfarmers shares were locked in at $51.45 in September and they are now floating at about $47.50 - nearly a $4 drop per share - if you have 2000 Wesfarmers shares then that is a $8000 decrease in assets and a potential $24pf increase in your pension IF you ask Centrelink to bring your share values up to date. For my customers - you need to contact me to discuss whether this affects you so I can make the update on your behalf. Key points again - this post MAY affect - ASSET TESTED PART PENSIONERS. Anyone on a full pension need not worry about making any updates. Kind Regards Julien from Pension Pathways. See more

02.01.2022 I had cause to travel South to play Badminton recently. It was a stormy wet week-end but was made a pleasure by my hosts Bev and Ken Lawrence of Beedelup Cottages just out of Pemberton. The smell of the earth and the trees was calming and cleansing and breath taking all at the same time. Then there was the warmth of the fire place at night making things cosy and relaxing. All sorts of lichen and mushrooms were on display in these damp conditions and the Beedelup Falls were ru...nning wild. All a short (and challenging when done at pace) walk from the cottages. While there was no phone/internet reception for me (a positive not a negative) there was still all the mod cons you need to fulfill modern living standard requirements and be steeped in the ancient mystery of the forest all at the same time. So my two recommendations are - venture into the forests this Winter - It's an Australian Winter wonderland and secondly take up Badminton - it's one of those games that you are never to old to play and never to late to start learning. If you live in Bunbury - go down to the Badminton centre on Wednesday mornings and have a go. And lastly on a Centrelink note : the current processing time for Age Pension Claims is closing in on 4 months. It is an absolute disgrace. Make sure your local member of Parliament is aware of your dis-satisfaction. Kind Regards. Julien See more

01.01.2022 Hi All.Just as an FYI. The lack of posts on my Facebook page doesn't mean that I'm not helping people deal with Centrelink. It's more of a reflection that I am busy nearly 100% of the time and not in a position to respond to Facebook messages. I am hoping to get a helper soon and perhaps we can spread our wings in assisting people apply for their pension entitlements. Needless to say Centrelink has got a little busier since March 2020 - they (C'lk) were three months behind in... their work without getting the extra million customers. There has been a lot of resources thrown at getting things done at Centrelink but one of the side affects of getting things done - is that a fair bit of it is not being done correctly. Centrelink are using personnel that are not necessarily trained in the areas that they are used to and therefore are not aware of outcomes that are incorrect. So I guess the message is - if the rate you are receiving has changed recently and its not what you expected - then get it checked. If you are an asset tested part pensioner and your pension rate hasn't changed - then you probably should get your assets updated as they may well be a lot less than it used to be. A higher rate of pension could be one the outcomes of getting it checked. The biggest problem to getting things checked is you mostly have to phone Centrelink and as a frequent caller to Centrelink I can tell you that IF you get through - you have got a 9 in 10 chance of speaking with someone who is just learning the job and has very little hope of giving you the correct information. To put it bluntly - the ordinary person does not have a hope in hell of knowing if they are getting the right information. Anyway - I'll just go back to being busy. Regards. Julien See more

01.01.2022 Budget news... Is there anything in the budget for my customers? The answer is yes, for anybody working past age pension age. From July 1 2019, you can earn a bit more before it affects your pension. So if you’re getting a reduced pension due to income earned, it effectively means a $25 per fortnight increase in the pension. At the moment the self-employed don’t get this advantage, but as of July 1 2019 they will be included in this pension bonus. That’s the good news. ...The bad news is Centrelink are still taking 3 months and more to process claims. So feel free to bang down the doors of your Local member of parliament to get this issue addressed. This government policy is just not good enough - it seems their intention is to have people give up. However, I am here to help. If you want to be sure to receive your correct Centrelink entitlements, give me a call on 0414985499 to make an appointment. Until then, stay well, kind regards, Julien. See more