Articles by

Barbara Drury

Barbara is a financial journalist and author with over 30 years’ experience in Australia and the UK. She is a contributor to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Money section, and has worked for the Australian Financial Review and The Australian.

SMSF investment: 20 most popular international shares

While the number of SMSFs investing directly in global shares is still relatively small, the booming tech sector is attracting an increasing number of those that do.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular Australian shares

SMSF investors continued their love affair with dividend-paying Australian shares in the year to June 2024, with all the usual suspects in the top 20.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular ETFs

ETFs were the fastest growing asset class among SMSF investors in the year to June 2024, with a surge of inflows to international shares driven by booming tech stocks.
Location the missing ingredient in retirement planning

When you start planning your retirement, where you live can be just as important as your super balance and have an even bigger impact on your quality of life.
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 much can I afford to spend in retirement?

Retirees often live more frugally than necessary due to fears their money will run out, but this simple rule of thumb could help many retirees spend and enjoy life more.
Lifetime estimator calculator

Without knowing how long we will live, retirement income planning is difficult, to say the least. This calculator provides a personalised estimate, depending on your health and other factors.
Why it can pay to put as much as possible into super

If your super balance is underwhelming, even small personal contributions can supercharge your retirement savings once compound interest and tax do the heavy lifting.
Balanced, Growth, Defensive: What’s in a name?

If you are confused about the meaning of super investment option labels like Balanced, Growth and Defensive you’re not alone. Even the funds can’t agree.
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.
Planning to retire this year and start a super pension? Here’s what to consider

As retirement beckons, it’s worth checking the rules around making last minute super contributions and how much you can transfer into a tax-free pension account.
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.
Top 10 Balanced super funds ranked by risk and return

While super funds with the highest annual returns capture headlines, some funds and their members place a premium on balancing rewards with a focus on consistency.
How to invest according to your values and address climate risk in your SMSF portfolio

Climate change, sustainability, greenwashing – investing is a minefield these days but there are steps you can take to align your investments with your values.
SMSF statistics: 1.1 million members with $869 billion in super

The size of the self-managed super fund sector continues to grow in terms of members and assets, at the expense of all but industry super funds.
What type of people have SMSFs?

As SMSFs cement their place in the retirement savings landscape, trends in income, age and gender of members are emerging.
How does SAPTO work? (Senior Australians and Pensioners Tax Offset)

If you are eligible for the Age or DVA pension you could be in line for a handy tax rebate, depending on your taxable income and relationship status.
What is the retirement age in Australia?

When (and if) you retire is up to you, but there are rules around when you can access your super and the Age Pension.