How much super do you need to retire, Making the most of increased contribution caps, Unlisted assets in the spotlight, Dividends stage a comeback, SMSF investment rules, The cost of aged care.
Highlights of the April 2021 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:
- HOW MUCH SUPER DO I NEED TO RETIRE? It’s a common question but it’s also a deeply personal one. Our practical guides will help you work out how much you need to live the retirement lifestyle you aspire to.
- BOOSTING YOUR SUPER IS ABOUT TO GET EASIER. With contribution caps increasing from July, we walk you through strategies to “bring forward” up to three years’ worth of non-concessional contributions.
- UNLISTED VS LISTED ASSETS, THERE’S NO CONTEST. Big super funds have championed unlisted assets, but they have become a political hot potato. We compare listed and unlisted assets and explain why both have a role to play in generating super returns.
- DIVIDENDS ARE ON THE MEND. Low term deposit rates have forced retirees to take on more risk in return for a decent yield. The good news is that share dividends are recovering after a temporary pause due to COVID.
- SMSF INVESTMENTS COME WITH RULES ATTACHED. Running your own SMSF opens up a cornucopia of investment options, but you need to follow the rules or risk significant penalties.
- A DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AGED CARE COSTS. Moving into aged care can be a stressful time. To remove some of the pressure, it helps to understand your options and what they may cost well in advance.
HOW SUPER WORKS
Super news for April 2021
Your Future, Your Super legislation attracts industry criticism; Top postcodes revealed for lost and unclaimed super; ASFA argues accessing super would make housing affordability worse, not better; new research dismisses the idea that retirees die with most of their super untouched; Huge gender gap in super concessions; ASIC’s mea culpa on SMSF costs; AMP appoints its first female chief.
Case studies: How to make the most of higher contribution caps
Super fund members can make higher contributions this financial year, but the actual amount may depend on whether you’ve previously triggered the bring-forward rule.
SUPER FUNDS
Unlisted assets: What are they and why is my super fund investing in them?
Unlisted assets are an important investment for some larger super funds as their more stable returns provide a useful balance for the volatility of listed assets like shares.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to September 2026
Super funds dipped in September, with the median Growth fund down 0.4% as shares and bonds fell, but a weaker Australian dollar helped limit the loss.
SMSFs
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SMSF investment rules: What every trustee should know
It’s crucial that SMSF trustees understand and follow strict investment rules, to both protect their retirement savings and avoid penalties.
How to avoid getting caught in the in-house asset trap
Falling foul of the in-house asset rules can be a costly mistake for SMSFs and continues to be a tricky area for trustees.
ESG and sustainable investing: A practical guide for SMSF trustees
Climate change, sustainability, greenwashing – investing is a minefield these days but there are steps you can take to align your investments with your values.
RETIREMENT PLANNING
How much super do I need to retire?
Forget advice saying you need $1 million in super to retire. The amount you will need
depends on your personal circumstances and preferences, and may be less than you think.
See also the following updated articles and reckoners about how much super you need to retire on a particular income:
- How much super do I need to retire on $40,000 a year?
- How much super do I need to retire on $50,000 a year?
- How much super do I need to retire on $60,000 a year?
- How much super do I need to retire on $80,000 a year?
- How much super do I need to retire on $100,000 a year?
- Income from super Reckoner
See also the following updated articles and reckoners about how much income in retirement a particular super can generate:
- Is $100,000 in super enough to retire on?
- Is $200,000 in super enough to retire on?
- Is $300,000 in super enough to retire on?
- Is $400,000 in super enough to retire on?
- Is $500,000 in super enough to retire on?
- Is $750,000 in super enough to retire on?
- Is $1 million in super enough to retire on?
- Is $1.6 million in super enough to retire on?
- Is $2 million in super enough to retire on?
- Is $3.2 million in super enough for a couple to retire on?
- Super to income Reckoner
IN RETIREMENT
Aged care: Guide to self-managing home care
A shake-up in the way aged care in the home is provided and paid for is designed to streamline the system, but the jury is still out.
The cost of residential aged care
In the name of fairness and sustainability, the way you pay for residential aged care, and the amount, has changed.
