2020 wasn’t the year anyone was expecting, but in welcome news for some, we’re already about six months of the way through it. In this webinar, our Chief Economist and Head of Investment Strategy, Shane Oliver, shares his views on global markets as we learn how to live with COVID-19.

Coronavirus continues to rattle investment markets as the number of new cases outside China continues to rise posing increasing uncertainty over the impact on economic activity. And its impact has intensified following the collapse of OPEC discipline causing a further plunge in oil prices raising concerns about debt servicing for oil producers.

The headlines have been pretty scary lately. COVID-19, aka the coronavirus, has people around the planet worried about our health, both literally and financially. The World Health Organization says that the vast majority of COVID-19 cases are mild, but that doesn’t mean it might not have an impact on your money.

To help pay for the public health system which we call Medicare, you’re required to pay a 2 percent Medicare levy as part of your income tax. While the low-income tax offset can reduce your individual tax liability, sadly it does not reduce the Medicare levy per se, which can make it that little bit harder to get ahead with your savings.