SuperGuide - Simple superannuation and retirement planning information

Welcome to Australia’s superannuation and retirement planning website

SuperGuide was founded by Trish Power, author of Superannuation for Dummies, Super Freedom, and DIY Super for Dummies.

Each year, SuperGuide receives more than 4 million visits from Australians reading our hundreds of articles about superannuation, retirement planning and the Age Pension.

View September 2017 newsletter

Property and super: What’s the deal? (15 popular Q & As)
We receive many questions from readers about investing in property using super money. Questions range from: ‘Can I withdraw my super to buy a house to live in?’, right through to ‘How can I use my super fund to borrow money to invest in property?’. Read more
More retirees eligible for Seniors Health Card (CSHC) from September 2017
Taking effecting from 20 September 2017, the income test thresholds for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) have increased again, in line with the federal government’s promise to index the thresholds annually. Read more
Age Pension: September 2017 rates apply (until March 2018)
The Age Pension rates, effective from 20 September 2017, and applicable until 19 March 2018, are set out in this article. Read more
Portfolio disclosure: What’s your super fund investing in?
With trillions of dollars tied up in Australia’s super funds, you’d think it would be pretty easy to find out where all that money is invested. But that’s not the case. Read more
SMSF investment: What assets do DIY super trustees prefer?
Each quarter the ATO releases SMSF statistics derived from annual return data. Some of the more interesting data outlines the investments that SMSF trustees choose, and how much SMSF money is invested in the different asset types. Read more
Do you fit the latest profile of a ‘typical’ SMSF trustee?
The latest ATO statistics on SMSFs (representing SMSF activity up to the end of September 2016) highlight some interesting observations that can be made about the current batch of SMSF trustees. Read more
Retirement forecasts from your super fund: 6 facts you need to know
Australians are currently receiving annual member statements from their super funds. When opening these statements, many super fund members will see a comforting projection of how much their account balance is likely to be when they retire, and how much income this account balance will provide each year in retirement. Read more
Australia not ready for Age Pension age of 70 years
The capacity of developed nations around the world to provide a decent taxpayer-funded old Age Pension is being tested constantly with increasing life expectancies, escalating health costs, mind-boggling energy costs, and in many cases, shrinking populations. Read more
Retirement Age Reckoner: Discover your preservation age and Age Pension age
Did you know your right to access your super, or claim the Age Pension, is based on the date you were born? Use the Retirement Age Reckoner to discover your preservation age and Age Pension age. Read more
Age Pension: More Australians entitled to payments from September 2017
In March, July and September of each year, the federal government changes the rules for claiming the Age Pension… usually for the better! Read more

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How super works

Covers the most popular questions on how superannuation works, including how to find lost super, how much money is enough, and simple step-by-step superannuation guides.

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Latest superannuation changes: 2017/2018 guide

Super for Beginners (25 Q&As)

Super for beginners: Top 10 must-know facts

Age Pension: 330,000 Australians lose entitlements from January 2017

Women and super: A worry-free financial future is possible

See all articles about How super works

Comparing super funds

Which super fund is most suitable for you? Find out how to compare funds, where to find the latest information on fund performance, and discover the important features of super funds.

Comparing super funds: Who’s who in the super zoo?

Super fees: Top 10 cheapest funds in Australia

Super funds gain 10.8% for 2016/2017 financial year

Asset classes: Naming the investment winners for the 2016/2017 financial year

Super for beginners, part 11: Is my super fund good enough?

Fund choice: Comparing super funds in 8 steps

See all articles about Comparing super funds

Best performing super funds

Retirement performers! Top 30 pension funds over 5 years

Super stars! Top 30 super funds over 5 years

Top 10 performing super funds for 2016/2017 financial year, and for past 10 years

Investment performance: We’re the best super fund. No, we’re the best…

Mirror, mirror… what super fund is the best-performing fund of all?

See all articles about Best performing super funds

Superannuation and Tax

Find out how your super is taxed, including what happens if you retire before the age of 60, how the earnings on your super savings are taxed, how your super contributions are taxed, and much more.

Superannuation after-life: Dear Dad, Tax for everything

Capital gains: Reducing tax via super contributions

Who can make tax-deductible super contributions?

Australian income tax rates for 2017/2018 and 2016/2017 years

Super for beginners, part 15: Super tax – as easy as 1-2-3

Employer super contributions: SG rate 9.5% for 2017/2018 year

I’m 58 and I have $230,000 in super. Will my super be taxed?

No tax in retirement because you SAPTO (updated rates)

Tax-free super: what happens when I start a pension just before turning 60?

See all articles about Superannuation and tax

SMSFs (Self-managed super funds)

This section is for Australians running self-managed super funds, covering the current issues facing SMSF trustees, setting up, running and investing in your SMSF.

Estate planning: How can a SMSF live forever?

SMSFs: How much does a DIY super fund cost?

Oops! Top 10 SMSF boo-boos for 2016 financial year

SMSF confidential: the inside story on DIY super funds

SMSF pension: Can I still make super contributions?

SMSF pension: How do I start one?

Reminder: Harsher penalties for SMSF trustees

SMSF trustee declaration: a quick guide

See all articles about SMSFs

Retirement planning

Retirement planning covers how much super is enough, planning for retirement, boosting your super, starting an income stream, claiming the Age Pension, and lots more.

SuperGuide $1 million Retirement Reckoner

Low yields: A $1 million retirement on 3% or 2% returns

Crunching the numbers: a $1 million retirement (7% and 5% returns)

Setting a retirement target: Living on more than $60,000 a year

How much super do you need to retire comfortably?

Retirement: Today’s dollars, and why $1 million can’t last forever

Free retirement planning assistance now available

Super for beginners: 14 monkeys stop women creating a dream retirement

Retirement: choosing the right super strategies for your age

See all articles about Retirement planning

Boost your super

Find out how much your employer must pay into your super fund, how much you can contribute, the tax-free bonus the Government gives you and other contribution strategies.

I’m retired. Can I make super contributions?

How to find your lost super in 5 steps

Non-concessional contributions: Re-contribution strategy still applies

See all articles about Boosting your super

Superannuation contributions guides

Super concessional (before-tax) contributions: 2017/2018 survival guide

Your 2017/2018 guide to non-concessional (after-tax) contributions

Cashing in on the co-contribution rules (2017/2018 year)

Accessing super

Find out how to legally access your super, including what happens before the age of 60, or you move overseas, or you want to withdraw your super to cover your mortgage or other bills.

The SOAPBOX

The must-read section of SuperGuide. These popular and compelling columns generate debate about issues affecting Australians planning for retirement, or living in retirement.