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.

Have you got an exit plan? The importance of estate planning

Older Australians are wealthier than ever before, so careful estate planning is crucial if you want your super and other assets to be distributed in line with your wishes.
How to get ready for retirement if you own a business

It can be easy to put off retirement planning when you are caught up in the demands of running your own business, but it pays to plan ahead if you want to make the most of all your hard work.
Retiring soon? Here are 5 questions you need to answer first

There’s a lot to think about in the run-up to retirement, from where your income will come from to where you’ll live, but answering these questions should help you prepare.
Passive versus active: Which investment style is best?

As the debate over passive vs active investing continues, both have their place in SMSF portfolios, depending on your financial goals and risk tolerance.
2023 year in review, 2024 year in preview

Last year investment markets surprised on the upside, with a late surge in shares and bonds and a resilient residential property market. So what’s in store for 2024?
ATO SMSF supervisory levy: Cost and guidelines

In a world of ever-increasing prices, the ATO’s annual SMSF supervisory levy has been remarkably stable for almost a decade.
Retiring overseas: Implications for your super and tax

If you dream of retiring to an exotic overseas location where the living is easy, be sure to look at the financial, health and other considerations before you make the leap.
What are MySuper products, and which super funds have MySuper products?

Default MySuper funds have been undergoing a makeover in recent years, with performance under the microscope and fees falling.
Super funds with the lowest income protection insurance premiums

Income protection premiums continued to increase at a significantly higher rate than death and TPD premiums in 2023, but the cost of cover varies widely.
Super funds with the lowest life and TPD insurance premiums

As the cost of living rises, life and TPD insurance premiums inside super have bucked the trend with little or no movement in 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What concession cards are available for seniors and pensioners?

Even if you aren’t eligible for the Age Pension, there are a variety of valuable concession and healthcare cards available, depending on your age, income and location.
Choosing an SMSF service provider

They may be referred to as DIY funds, but in practice most SMSF trustees will need at least some professional advice, from setting up their fund to the annual audit and tax returns.
What on earth is an in specie transfer?

If you’ve ever wondered if you can transfer shares or a business property into your SMSF, the answer is yes but strict rules apply.