Articles by
Barbara Drury
-
Can I return to work after I access my super?
It’s generally possible to return to work after you retire and start withdrawing your super, but the rules vary according to your age.
-
Super and pension fund performance: Where does your fund rank?
Now updated to 30 September 2024. 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?
-
What is the sole purpose test, and how does it work?
As the name suggests, the savings you accumulate in super are meant to be for one purpose only. Straying from that purpose can be costly.
-
Platforms and wraps: Benefits and downsides
Technology is at the heart of recent innovation by platform providers as they compete against each other, industry funds and SMSFs for your super and non-super investments.
-
Are pension withdrawal rates safe?
Retirees often regard the government-mandated minimum withdrawal rates for their super pension as a default maximum, so how are these rates set and should you consider withdrawing more?
-
Selecting a retirement income calculator
Most super funds provide tools to help you estimate your annual retirement income and how long it should last. But how reliable are they? It pays to know what to look out for.
-
Which super funds offer income for life?
It’s been a long time coming, but more super funds are now, or soon will be, offering retirement products that reduce the risk of outliving your savings. Here’s what’s on offer.
-
How do SMSFs invest?
If you run your own SMSF, have you ever wondered where other SMSFs or mainstream funds invest their money? This is how.
-
SMSF trust deeds: Rules, guidelines and updates
Your SMSF trust deed is your fund’s most important legal document, so it pays to get it right from the outset and to carry out regular health checks.
-
Which super funds accept transfers from KiwiSaver accounts?
If you have savings in a KiwiSaver account, you can voluntarily transfer them to an Australian super fund under the provisions of a Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability scheme that was introduced on 1 July 2013.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Top 10 Balanced super funds ranked by risk and return
Earning a good return on your super is important, but so is avoiding wild ups and downs when markets are volatile, especially when you are nearing retirement.
-
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.
