Note: The Q&As listed in this article have been revamped and updated for the 2012/2013 year.
One of SuperGuide’s more popular initiatives has been the development of a ‘Super for Beginners’ section that answers some of the many questions that we receive from those readers who are new to superannuation and new to super’s terminology.
The series currently consists of 24 Q&As, and we expect to increase the number of Q&As in the beginner series over the coming months. You can find each of the Super for Beginners articles published individually on the website, or by scrolling across ‘Super basics’ (and clicking on Super for Beginners) at the top of the SuperGuide website, or by typing ‘super for beginners’ in the search function.
You can also find the 24 Q&As (belonging to the Super for Beginners) series as a handy list, set out below. The Super for Beginners Q&As have been updated and revamped for the 2012/2013 financial year (1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013). Click on the listed question to access the SuperGuide answer.
Super for Beginners (Q&As)
How super works
1. I’m new to Australia. Help me!
2. I’m starting my first job. Do I get any superannuation, and where does it go?
3. Why aren’t my super contributions tax-free?
4. My child’s super account is hit with too many fees. Can you help?
5. Is super my money, or the government’s money?
6. Can I make concessional (before-tax) contributions while I am unemployed?
7. Can I split my super benefits with my spouse?
8. What happens to my super benefits when I retire?
9. If I retire and take my super, can I return to work?
Super basics
10. Can I use my super to reduce my mortgage?
11. Is my super fund good enough?
12. I withdrew my super due to financial hardship. Why do I have to pay tax?
13. Why pick one industry super fund over another?
Super and tax
14. Why does my super fund need my tax file number?
15. What types of taxes are deducted from my super contributions and super benefits?
16. I have heard I can get tax-free super benefits twice. Is that true?
17. How is my super benefit taxed, and how does it all work?
Superannuation Guarantee
18. My employer hasn’t paid my SG. What can I do?
19. My employer has gone broke. What happens to my SG entitlements?
Comparing super funds
20. Comparing your super fund’s performance
21. You know where your super goes, right?
More advanced super for beginners
22. How do you speak superannuation (… in 20 words)?
23. My pay changes every week. Am I paid the right super?
24. Do I have to withdraw my super when I turn 65?
