Consider these two risks before you start a super pension
Market volatility and economic uncertainty can wreak havoc with retirement plans, so it’s important to develop strategies to ensure your savings last the distance.
Articles by Barbara Drury
SMSFs: Investment property tax deduction mistakes to avoid
Property investment is popular with SMSFs, so it’s important to know what your fund can and can’t claim as investment property tax deductions if you want to stay on the right side of the ATO.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to October 2023
Super funds suffered a third straight month of negative returns in October, but Chant West estimates the median growth fund will return around 6.5% in calendar 2023. That would be a pleasing result given the current investment environment.
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.
Your home: The foundation of retirement planning
The family home is much more than a roof over your head in retirement. It’s also a potential source of income and aged care funding.
Saving for retirement outside super
While super is synonymous with retirement, the reality is that many Australians will also draw retirement income from investments held outside super in their own name, a company or trust.
SMSF investment rules: Collectables and personal use assets
An ATO crackdown on asset valuations, and the proposed tax increase on unrealised capital gains in $3 million-plus super accounts, is putting pressure on SMSFs with collectables to take stock.
Super and pension fund performance: Where does your fund rank?
Now updated to 30 September 2023. Have you ever looked at your super fund’s investment returns and wondered how your fund compares with similar funds? Is it a consistently high performer or an inveterate underachiever?
Super funds of the year awards: Best super funds for 2023–24
UniSuper continued its award-winning run, winning Fund of the Year for the eighth time in a little over a decade at the recent SuperRatings awards night.
Pension funds of the year 2023–24: What makes a winner?
Innovation has been slow at the retirement end of superannuation, which makes it even more important to search for a pension fund that will make your retirement as smooth as possible. Awards aren’t everything, but they do put a spotlight on industry best practice.
Mind over matter: The psychology of retirement planning
Rising inflation and volatile markets are forcing many of us to make important decisions about our finances, so it’s important guard against these common mental traps.
How do tax-deductible superannuation contributions work?
Making a tax-deductible super contribution can be a great way to boost your retirement savings. Find out whether they could be the right strategy for you.
How do ETFs compare to LICs/LITs and managed funds?
Exchanged-traded funds have taken off in Australia, but there is still a role for LICs and managed funds. Learn about the pros and cons of each.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular LICs/LITs
Listed investment companies have been around for almost a century and remain popular with SMSF investors looking for cost-effective diversification in a single trade.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular ETFs
From a standing start 20 years ago, ETFs now play a central role in many SMSF investment portfolios with more than 300 to choose from.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular managed funds
Traditional managed funds may not have the ‘it’ factor of ETFs but they still pack a punch in many SMSF portfolios, providing significant diversification.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular Australian shares
Australian shares remain the most popular asset class among SMSF investors who continue to put their faith, and their money, in our mining heavyweights and big four banks.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular international shares
Investing directly in international shares is still a fringe activity for most SMSFs, but the allure of the world’s big tech companies is proving irresistible for some.
