Articles by
Barbara Drury
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Pension fund performance: Monthly returns to May 2025
Pension funds are closing in on a stellar return of around 10% in the 2025 financial year, after a strong market rebound in May.
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Super fund performance reckoner: Monthly returns for 5 investment categories
In our reckoner below you can view the median monthly investment returns for 5 superannuation investment options going back to January 2016.
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Super fund performance: Monthly returns to May 2025
After a nail-biting start to the year, super funds are on track for another cracking return of about 9% for the 2025 financial year, after the median Growth fund was up 2.7% in May and markets continuing to rise in June.
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How to find a super financial adviser
There are times in life when the right financial advice could prove invaluable, but it’s important to know what you are looking for and where to find it. Here’s how.
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Age Pension calculator (July 2025 update)
Our Age Pension calculator gives you an estimate of your potential Age Pension entitlements based on your situation, assets and income.
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Am I eligible for the Age Pension?
A common question for Australians planning their retirement is if, and when, they will be eligible for the Age Pension.
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Age Pension rates (March 2025 to September 2025)
Age Pension rates increased on 20 March 2025. This article also explains how the Age Pension works, and includes the latest Age Pension rates for residents, non-residents, and the transitional Age Pension.
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Age Pension assets test rules (from July 2025)
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.
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Age Pension income test rules (from July 2025)
A common question for those nearing or in retirement is “How much can a pensioner earn before it affects the pension?”.
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Deeming rates (2025-26) and calculator for the Age Pension income test
Under the deeming rules, you are ‘deemed’ to earn a certain annual rate of return on your financial assets, regardless of the rate of return you actually earn.
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My retirement planning diary (Part 3): How much am I likely to spend in retirement?
It’s easy to obsess about your super balance in the run-up to retirement, but how much you have is meaningless unless you know what you need.
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Super funds of the year awards: Best super funds for 2025
Investment returns are important, but they are not the only feature that make a great super fund. Here are the funds that go above and beyond for their members.
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Pension fund of the year 2025: What makes a winner?
As more and more members move into retirement phase, innovation is slow, but a handful of funds are making all the right moves.
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Super fund mergers: What does it mean for members?
If your fund is involved in a merger, don’t panic. You could end up better off, but you do need to make sure your new fund is still a good fit.
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My retirement planning diary (Part 2): My super fund-amentals
After deciding I would retire this year, volatile global markets have forced me to review my plans. In part 2 of this series, I review my super investments and my approach to risk.
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How much does financial advice cost?
Many Australians who admit they need financial advice are reluctant to get it due to the perceived cost, but are they right? We look at what’s available and what it costs.
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Super pensions: Trends in payment frequency, flexibility, fees and more
Despite calls for more innovative pension products, most super funds are tinkering around the edges of their retirement offerings.
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My retirement planning diary (Part 1): Donald you shrunk my retirement!
After deciding I would retire this year, the current market turmoil has put a Trump-sized hole in my plans. If you’re in the same boat, come along for the ride as I review my situation over the coming months.
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