Articles by

Janine Mace

Janine has over 25 years’ experience writing about superannuation, including a decade as Managing Editor of the ASFA’s highly respected industry magazine, SuperFunds. She has worked with a range of super funds and leading institutional investment managers. Her work has appeared in the Australian Financial Review personal finance section and she has been a regular contributor to Money Management and Financial Planning magazines.

Worried about outliving your retirement savings? 9 steps that can help

Worrying about whether your retirement savings will be enough is normal, but there are some easy steps you can take to ensure you’re as prepared as you can be for retirement.
How inflation affects your retirement income

Worrying about your household budget is something we all do at times, but retirees can’t easily replenish their savings, so rising prices and inflation can represent a big challenge.
Estate planning and SMSFs: What it is and why it matters

Along with a valid Will, your SMSF is an essential part of your estate plan. From your personal wishes to tax and legal matters, there’s a lot to consider.
What is a testamentary trust and does my Will need one?

Establishing a testamentary trust can have valuable estate planning benefits. With significant amounts due to be transferred via inheritances in the coming decades, it may be worth considering one.
Insurance inside super: A definitive guide

If you have insurance inside super but you’re not sure how it works, it’s easy to take control once you learn the basics and how to assess your needs.
How the Home Equity Access Scheme works (formerly Pension Loan Scheme)

The Home Equity Access Scheme can be a great way to boost your retirement income by taking a loan from the government against the equity in your home.
Reverse mortgages: What are they and how do they work?

If you’re finding it difficult to make ends meet in retirement, one solution to free up some extra cash could be to take out a reverse mortgage.
Small APRA funds: What are they and why would I need one?

Small APRA funds are often overlooked, but they offer valuable benefits if you want more control of your super investments without the trustee responsibilities.
3 steps to making a complaint about your super fund

When things go wrong with your super fund or its insurer, it’s good to know there are steps you can take to help get things put right.
Who to turn to if you have a problem with your financial adviser

If you have problems with your financial adviser, it’s important to know who you can turn to for help in solving your complaint and the process you need to follow.
What happens when you meet a financial adviser

Getting good financial advice can make a big difference to your financial position, but before you take the plunge make sure you understand what’s involved.
Tips to help your super last longer

Once you’ve retired it’s normal to worry about whether your retirement savings will be enough, but with a few simple strategies you can stretch your nest-egg a little further.
Why financial literacy is vital for a good retirement

Good financial literacy and understanding how to manage and invest your nest-egg is an essential skill when it comes to navigating the complexity of creating a steady retirement income.
Diversification and your SMSF: Why and how to do it

Diversifying your portfolio is a key task when it comes to investing and it’s a vital one for your SMSF as it can reduce risk and smooth investment returns.
How redundancy and retirement impact your employees’ super

Working out termination and super payments for a departing employee can be confusing, but be careful not to provide them with financial advice.
How do reportable employer super contributions (RESC) work?

As if employers don’t have enough to do, they also need to notify the ATO of any reportable employer super contributions they make for their employees.
Tax in SMSFs and regular super funds: How do they differ?

All super funds pay the same tax rate, but there are differences in the ability of SMSFs and large super funds to manage their tax liabilities for the benefit of members.
Getting financial advice? What your adviser needs to provide

When you see a financial adviser, there are rules covering the documents and information provided to ensure the advice you receive is in your best interests and you can make good decisions.