Age Pension increase, How to read your super statement, Risk and diversification, latest super news and performance
Highlights of the September 2019 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:
- AGE PENSION INCREASE: The Age Pension rates increase from 20th September. We detail the new rates and thresholds and our Age Pension calculator has been updated so you can estimate how much you may now be entitled for. You can even test your Age Pension knowledge with our new quiz.
- HOW TO READ YOUR SUPER STATEMENT: Millions of Australians will soon be receiving their annual super statement. We list what you should check to make sure your super is working for you.
- 5 WAYS SEQUENCING RISK IMPACTS YOUR RETIREMENT: If you’re close to retiring, you need to understand about sequencing risk and what you can do to mitigate it. In a separate article Barbara Drury gives you some ideas on what to do if the market crashes when you are in or nearing retirement.
- INVESTMENT RISK AND DIVERSIFICATION: Risk is part of life and investing. It’s necessary but with some knowledge you can use it to your advantage. In separate articles we look at nine key investment risks and how the big super funds diversify.
- SUPER STRATEGIES AFTER LOSING YOUR SPOUSE: WHAT ARE THE RULES? Nobody wants to plan for loss but putting a strategy into place now can make a difficult time easier and more financially secure.
- LATEST SUPER NEWS AND PERFORMANCE: We provide a snapshot of the key super news for September, and the median super fund performance to the end of August.
RETIREMENT PLANNING
What to do if the market tanks and you’re retired, or close to it
Volatile financial markets make it difficult to plan ahead, but in uncertain times having a plan and sticking to it can make a big difference to your retirement outcome.
How sequencing risk affects your retirement
Sequencing risk can ruin even the most carefully planned retirement. Losses and low returns just as you move into retirement mean you will have much less to spend.
3 very different types of ‘retirement’
Today’s 60- and 70-somethings are reinventing retirement, easing into it with a focus on finding meaning and purpose in flexible part-time work, volunteering and new activities.
Managing your super after losing your spouse
Inheriting your spouse’s super in retirement needs careful planning to ensure you make the most of the tax-free pension phase without exceeding your limit.
Have you got an exit plan? The importance of estate planning
Older Australians are wealthier than ever before, so careful estate planning is crucial if you want your super and other assets to be distributed in line with your wishes.
SUPERANNUATION
Can I return to work after I access my super?
It’s generally possible to return to work after you retire and start withdrawing your super, but the rules vary according to your age.
History of superannuation: Is it getting better?
If you thought governments were constantly tinkering with super, you’re right. Here’s your guide to the good, the bad and the ugly super changes so far.
Super news for September 2019
This month we look at rising mortgage stress for retirees, Fat Cat Funds results, the suburbs with the most unclaimed super and the Better Retirement Outcomes report on super balances.
What to check on your annual super fund statement
Your annual super fund statement provides a useful snapshot of where you are on the road to retirement and if you’re on track to reach your destination – you just need to know where to look.
SUPER INVESTING
9 investment risks and how they can affect your super
Knowledge, as they say, is power. Find out the ways your super can be impacted by risk and how it can be managed.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to April 2026
Super funds bounced back in April despite ongoing volatility and are on course for another positive financial year.
Lifecycle super funds: What they are and how they perform
Lifecycle funds are designed to reduce risk as you near retirement without sacrificing returns; recent research shows many do just that but you need to know what to look for.
Why super funds diversify and what you can learn from it
Diversification is one of the key principles behind good investing and there’s a lot you can learn from how successful super funds invest their members’ money.
SMSFs
How to boost your SMSF balance with contributions reserving
The increase in contribution caps from 1 July provides opportunities for SMSFs to potentially get up to $57,500 tax-deductible contributions into their super this financial year. Here’s how.
Multigenerational SMSFs: Benefits and pitfalls
Now that SMSFs can have up to six members, it makes it easier to bring the whole family into the super fold, but it’s important to look before you leap.
AGE PENSION – NEW RATES AND THRESHOLDS
Age Pension rates (March 2026 to September 2026)
Age Pension rates are rising again. Check the latest rates for singles, couples and transitional pensions and learn what you may be entitled to.
Age Pension calculator (March 2026 update)
Our Age Pension calculator gives you an estimate of your potential Age Pension entitlements based on your situation, assets and income.
Age Pension income test rules (from March 2026)
A common question for those nearing or in retirement is “How much can a pensioner earn before it affects the pension?”.
Age Pension assets test rules (from March 2026)
This article details the rules and limits of the Age Pension assets test (how much your savings and other assets are worth), which is one half of the means test (along with the income test) that determines how much Age Pension you could be eligible for.
Quiz: Age Pension rules
Take our 10-question quiz to test your knowledge on the Age Pension rules.
