Articles by
Barbara Drury
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What type of people have SMSFs?
If you think SMSFs are just for old wealthy Australians, think again. Increasingly, younger people and women are also embracing the self-managed ethos.
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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 September 2025
It’s been another good month for super funds and their members, with funds on track for another strong annual performance.
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How do ETFs compare to LICs/LITs and managed funds?
Managed investments offer instant diversification, but there are important differences between the types of funds on offer – from cost to legal structure.
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What are lifecycle super funds, and how do 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.
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Super pension funds put to the test
A new consumer-friendly review of pension funds reveals which funds are ticking all the right boxes.
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The big picture: Focus on super’s long-term returns
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so we’ve created a visual representation of super’s value in the long run.
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SMSF investing: 20 most popular LICs/LITs
Listed investment companies and trusts are facing stiff competition from cheaper ETFs and passive index funds, but have a place in many SMSF portfolios.
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SMSF investing: 20 most popular managed funds
Traditional managed funds have been partially eclipsed by the rise of ETFs, but they remain core holdings for many SMSF investors looking to diversify.
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SMSF investing: 20 most popular international shares
Direct holdings in international shares fell in 2024–25 due to volatile market conditions but perhaps also to the growing appeal of ETFs to access global markets.
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SMSF investing: 20 most popular Australian shares
Australian shares remain the most popular asset class for SMSF investors, with portfolios dominated by the big banks and miners.
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SMSF investing: 20 most popular ETFs
Gen X and Millennials are fuelling the rapid take-up of ETFs by SMSF investors, drawn to their instant diversification, global reach, accessability and low cost.
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Deeming rates (2025-26) and calculator for the Age Pension income test
On 20 August 2025 the government announced the first change to deeming rates since 1 May 2020 when rates were frozen at artificially low levels during COVID.
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Pension fund performance: Monthly returns to August 2025
Pension funds continued their positive momentum in August, with returns up 3% in the financial year to date.
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MySuper funds: What they are and who offers them
Default MySuper funds have been undergoing a makeover in recent years, with performance under the microscope and fees falling.
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How do I transfer a UK pension to an Australian super fund?
It can make sense to bring your UK pension funds home to Australia, but the process is far from straightforward. We explain how it’s done.
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Which SMSF expenses are tax deductible?
The expenses associated with running your own super fund can add up, so it’s important to understand which expenses you can, and can’t, claim as a tax deduction.
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Age Pension calculator (September 2025 update)
Our Age Pension calculator gives you an estimate of your potential Age Pension entitlements based on your situation, assets and income.
