menu_open Columnists
Paul Benson

Paul Benson

Brisbane Times

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

I just received a $500,000 inheritance. How should I spend it?

Receiving such a significant sum can seem paralysing, but there are some simple things you should spend on first.

12.07.2025 6

WA Today

Paul Benson

I just received a $500,000 inheritance. How should I spend it?

Receiving such a significant sum can seem paralysing, but there are some simple things you should spend on first.

12.07.2025 6

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

I just received a $500,000 inheritance. How should I spend it?

Receiving such a significant sum can seem paralysing, but there are some simple things you should spend on first.

12.07.2025 8

The Age

Paul Benson

I just received a $500,000 inheritance. How should I spend it?

Receiving such a significant sum can seem paralysing, but there are some simple things you should spend on first.

12.07.2025 4

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

Should I give all my assets to my sister to avoid a will dispute?

A potentially contested estate can throw up all sorts of problems, none of them with a simple solution.

05.07.2025 8

WA Today

Paul Benson

Should I give all my assets to my sister to avoid a will dispute?

A potentially contested estate can throw up all sorts of problems, none of them with a simple solution.

05.07.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

Should I give all my assets to my sister to avoid a will dispute?

A potentially contested estate can throw up all sorts of problems, none of them with a simple solution.

05.07.2025 9

The Age

Paul Benson

Should I give all my assets to my sister to avoid a will dispute?

A potentially contested estate can throw up all sorts of problems, none of them with a simple solution.

05.07.2025 7

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

I’m just about to get an inheritance. How do I put it in my super?

Using inheritance to boost your super can be a great move, but be careful you don’t exceed your yearly caps.

29.06.2025 10

WA Today

Paul Benson

I’m just about to get an inheritance. How do I put it in my super?

Using inheritance to boost your super can be a great move, but be careful you don’t exceed your yearly caps.

29.06.2025 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

I’m just about to get an inheritance. How do I put it in my super?

Using inheritance to boost your super can be a great move, but be careful you don’t exceed your yearly caps.

29.06.2025 7

The Age

Paul Benson

I’m just about to get an inheritance. How do I put it in my super?

Using inheritance to boost your super can be a great move, but be careful you don’t exceed your yearly caps.

29.06.2025 20

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

We’re in our early 50s. Should we pay off our mortgage, or wait?

There’s a lot to be said for being mortgage-free, but keeping your loan available can also be an attractive option.

22.06.2025 9

WA Today

Paul Benson

We’re in our early 50s. Should we pay off our mortgage, or wait?

There’s a lot to be said for being mortgage-free, but keeping your loan available can also be an attractive option.

22.06.2025 8

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

We’re in our early 50s. Should we pay off our mortgage, or wait?

There’s a lot to be said for being mortgage-free, but keeping your loan available can also be an attractive option.

22.06.2025 10

The Age

Paul Benson

We’re in our early 50s. Should we pay off our mortgage, or wait?

There’s a lot to be said for being mortgage-free, but keeping your loan available can also be an attractive option.

22.06.2025 8

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

I’m 10 years off retirement. Should I focus on buying a property?

With a 10-year time frame, property is a sound investment. But it’s important to be clear on what your objectives are.

14.06.2025 10

WA Today

Paul Benson

I’m 10 years off retirement. Should I focus on buying a property?

With a 10-year time frame, property is a sound investment. But it’s important to be clear on what your objectives are.

14.06.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

I’m 10 years off retirement. Should I focus on buying a property?

With a 10-year time frame, property is a sound investment. But it’s important to be clear on what your objectives are.

14.06.2025 10

The Age

Paul Benson

I’m 10 years off retirement. Should I focus on buying a property?

With a 10-year time frame, property is a sound investment. But it’s important to be clear on what your objectives are.

14.06.2025 6

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

How do I know if I have enough money to retire?

If you’re unable to enlist the help of a financial planner, there are some methods you can do yourself to get an idea of how much you’ll need.

07.06.2025 6

WA Today

Paul Benson

How do I know if I have enough money to retire?

If you’re unable to enlist the help of a financial planner, there are some methods you can do yourself to get an idea of how much you’ll need.

07.06.2025 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

How do I know if I have enough money to retire?

If you’re unable to enlist the help of a financial planner, there are some methods you can do yourself to get an idea of how much you’ll need.

07.06.2025 7

The Age

Paul Benson

How do I know if I have enough money to retire?

If you’re unable to enlist the help of a financial planner, there are some methods you can do yourself to get an idea of how much you’ll need.

07.06.2025 8

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

I’m retired and sick of strata fees. Should I sell up and rent instead?

The costs that come with owning an apartment, such as special levies and strata fees, can quickly build up.

31.05.2025 10

WA Today

Paul Benson

I’m retired and sick of strata fees. Should I sell up and rent instead?

The costs that come with owning an apartment, such as special levies and strata fees, can quickly build up.

31.05.2025 9

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

I’m retired and sick of strata fees. Should I sell up and rent instead?

The costs that come with owning an apartment, such as special levies and strata fees, can quickly build up.

31.05.2025 10

The Age

Paul Benson

I’m retired and sick of strata fees. Should I sell up and rent instead?

The costs that come with owning an apartment, such as special levies and strata fees, can quickly build up.

31.05.2025 9

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

How can we get the best return for our kids’ savings?

If you want to get better returns outside a simple savings account, you’re going to have to take on some level of risk.

24.05.2025 10

WA Today

Paul Benson

How can we get the best return for our kids’ savings?

If you want to get better returns outside a simple savings account, you’re going to have to take on some level of risk.

24.05.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

How can we get the best return for our kids’ savings?

If you want to get better returns outside a simple savings account, you’re going to have to take on some level of risk.

24.05.2025 9

The Age

Paul Benson

How can we get the best return for our kids’ savings?

If you want to get better returns outside a simple savings account, you’re going to have to take on some level of risk.

24.05.2025 8

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

I’m close to retirement. Should I change how my super is invested?

With retirement on the horizon, it can feel like the sky is falling. But there’s no reason to panic.

18.05.2025 9

WA Today

Paul Benson

I’m close to retirement. Should I change how my super is invested?

With retirement on the horizon, it can feel like the sky is falling. But there’s no reason to panic.

18.05.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

I’m close to retirement. Should I change how my super is invested?

With retirement on the horizon, it can feel like the sky is falling. But there’s no reason to panic.

18.05.2025 10

The Age

Paul Benson

I’m close to retirement. Should I change how my super is invested?

With retirement on the horizon, it can feel like the sky is falling. But there’s no reason to panic.

18.05.2025 8

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

Can I stop my ex-husband from misusing our son’s school savings?

Assets that belonged to both of you as a couple will be included in any financial settlement, so there may not be much you can do.

11.05.2025 10

WA Today

Paul Benson

Can I stop my ex-husband from misusing our son’s school savings?

Assets that belonged to both of you as a couple will be included in any financial settlement, so there may not be much you can do.

10.05.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

Can I stop my ex-husband from misusing our son’s school savings?

Assets that belonged to both of you as a couple will be included in any financial settlement, so there may not be much you can do.

10.05.2025 6

The Age

Paul Benson

Can I stop my ex-husband from misusing our son’s school savings?

Assets that belonged to both of you as a couple will be included in any financial settlement, so there may not be much you can do.

10.05.2025 5

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

Should I buy an investment property, or upsize my house?

Property transactions involve numerous additional costs. Are you sure that’s the road you want to go down?

03.05.2025 10

WA Today

Paul Benson

Should I buy an investment property, or upsize my house?

Property transactions involve numerous additional costs. Are you sure that’s the road you want to go down?

03.05.2025 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

Should I buy an investment property, or upsize my house?

Property transactions involve numerous additional costs. Are you sure that’s the road you want to go down?

03.05.2025 10

The Age

Paul Benson

Should I buy an investment property, or upsize my house?

Property transactions involve numerous additional costs. Are you sure that’s the road you want to go down?

03.05.2025 10

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

My wife and I have separate finances. Can I get a higher pension?

Even if your finances are separated, you will still be treated as a couple for Centrelink purposes.

27.04.2025 9

WA Today

Paul Benson

My wife and I have separate finances. Can I get a higher pension?

Even if your finances are separated, you will still be treated as a couple for Centrelink purposes.

27.04.2025 9

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

My wife and I have separate finances. Can I get a higher pension?

Even if your finances are separated, you will still be treated as a couple for Centrelink purposes.

27.04.2025 8

The Age

Paul Benson

My wife and I have separate finances. Can I get a higher pension?

Even if your finances are separated, you will still be treated as a couple for Centrelink purposes.

27.04.2025 6

Brisbane Times

Paul Benson

I want to switch super funds. Should I wait for markets to recover?

It can feel dangerous messing with your super while markets are volatile, but it’s unlikely to have a major impact on your returns.

19.04.2025 9

WA Today

Paul Benson

I want to switch super funds. Should I wait for markets to recover?

It can feel dangerous messing with your super while markets are volatile, but it’s unlikely to have a major impact on your returns.

19.04.2025 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson