Articles by
Barbara Drury
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How retirees are using home equity to boost income
Cost of living pressures are expected to fuel growth in reverse mortgages as retirees look for ways to top up their income.
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How your super affects your Age Pension entitlements
The amount of Age Pension you are eligible to receive in retirement is means tested, with super among the assets included. This is how it’s assessed.
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What is a self-managed super fund (SMSF)?
SMSFs are a popular choice for people who want more flexibility and control over their retirement savings, but they’re not for everyone so be sure to understand what’s involved.
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SMSF setup guide: 9 steps you need to follow
SMSFs offer more control than other super funds, but strict rules apply. Follow our 9-step guide to ensure your fund complies with all your legal obligations from the outset.
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Multigenerational SMSFs: Benefits and pitfalls
Now that SMSFs can have up to six members, it makes it easier to bring the whole family into the super fold, but it’s important to look before you leap.
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SMSF audits: Fees and guidelines
An annual audit is one of the necessary tasks associated with running an SMSF, but it can save trustees from inadvertent and costly breaches of the rules.
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What is the DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) Service Pension?
The Service Pension provided similar benefits to the Age Pension for veterans, their partners and widow(er)s, but the eligibility requirements are different, as you would expect.
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Asset valuation guidelines for SMSFs
There’s no getting around regular asset valuations for your SMSF, and it needs to be done by the book.
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Franking credits and dividend income in your SMSF
While interest rates have lifted off their historic lows, franked dividends from shares are still a happy hunting ground for income-seeking investors.
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SMSFs and financial advice: A matter of cost and trust
The number of SMSF trustees who have unmet advice needs is growing, but upcoming reforms and new technology offer the prospect of improved affordability and access.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
