Articles by
Barbara Drury
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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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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.
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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.
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SMSF 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.
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Re-thinking the role of your home in retirement
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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SMSF compliance: What are trustees’ responsibilities?
SMSFs provide members with a high degree of control and flexibility, but there are strict rules attached.
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What is the Age Pension age?
The age at which eligible retirees can start receiving the Age Pension has risen to 67. Bad news if you were born from 1957 on, but the good news is there are no plans to lift the age further.
