Financial advice: Only 9 (8 + 1) independent financial advisers in Australia
In April 2011, we published a list of 7 independent advisers which triggered much controversy and angst from the financial services industry, and from SuperGuide readers. SuperGuide is at it again, publishing the latest list that the advising industry doesn’t want you to see.
SMSF: How much does a DIY super fund cost?
Q: My wife and I are considering establishing our own super fund to be overseen by a licensed adviser. I asked two advisers for a quote on the set-up costs for a self-managed super fund.
Remember earlier Swan attack – freeze contributions caps and halve co-contributions
In this article, we explain the super changes the government snuck through in November 2011 although Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, may be hoping that we forget his earlier tinkering with the super rules.
Oh dear! Only 3% of financial plans are ‘good’
In what must be one of the more embarrassing (and unacceptable) situations for the financial planning industry, a study was released in late March 2012 that found only 3% of financial plans were considered ‘good’.
Setting a retirement target: Living on more than $55,000
The most popular question about superannuation and retirement planning is, without doubt: How much money is enough?
Super tax refund for lower-income earners starts July 2012
If you earn less than $37,000 a year, and your employer makes concessional (before-tax) superannuation contributions on your behalf, then you can expect a refund of the contributions tax deducted from your super account.
Take note: Age Pension age increasing to 67 years
More than two years ago, in the May 2009 Federal Budget, the Government announced that the Age Pension age is set to increase to 67 years of age from 2023. This major change may have disappeared from the front pages of newspapers but it should be ‘top of mind’ for most Australians thinking about retirement.
A comfortable retirement: How much super is enough?
So, the big question is: how much money do you really need for your retirement? Lifestyle is a very personal thing —luxury living for one person is a modest existence for someone else.
Do you fit the profile of a ‘typical’ SMSF trustee?
The latest ATO statistics on SMSFs highlight some interesting observations that can be made about the current batch of SMSF trustees, including average SMSF balance, the ages of SMSF trustees, state of origin, gender balance and income levels.
Age Pension: Income test thresholds increase up to 3 times a year
Q: Do you know how frequently the the Age Pension income test thresholds are increased by the government?
Comparing super funds: Who’s who in the super zoo
Unless you work in the superannuation industry, how the world of super works can be bamboozling (sometimes it can be confusing even when you know the industry well). This article, on the different types of super funds, is the first in a series of articles explaining the main players in the Australian super world.
