Articles by
Barbara Drury
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Selecting a retirement income calculator
UpdatedMost 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.
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Location the missing ingredient in retirement planning
UpdatedWhen 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.
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Lifetime estimator calculator
UpdatedWithout 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.
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ESG and sustainable investing: A practical guide for SMSF trustees
UpdatedClimate change, sustainability, greenwashing – investing is a minefield these days but there are steps you can take to align your investments with your values.
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What is the retirement age in Australia?
UpdatedWhen (and if) you retire is up to you, but there are rules around when you can access your super and the Age Pension.
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Accessing super between 60 and 65
UpdatedMany of us dream of early retirement, but if you need to access your super to live the dream you need to tick a few boxes first, beginning with your age.
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Preservation age explained: What it means for accessing your super
UpdatedThere are a series of hurdles you need to clear before you can access your super. The first is your age.
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How your super affects your Age Pension entitlements
UpdatedThe 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)?
UpdatedSMSFs 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
UpdatedSMSFs 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
UpdatedNow 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
UpdatedAn 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?
UpdatedThe 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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Franking credits and dividend income in your SMSF
UpdatedWhile 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
UpdatedThe 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
UpdatedOlder 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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Passive versus active: Which investment style is best?
UpdatedAs 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
UpdatedIn a world of ever-increasing prices, the ATO’s annual SMSF supervisory levy has been remarkably stable for almost a decade.
