IMPORTANT: Effective from 20 September 2017, the government has again indexed the income test thresholds for the CSHC (see this article for latest thresholds). The next indexation of the CSHC income thresholds takes place on 20 September 2018. Note that since 1 January 2015, new applicants for CSHC need to include ... Read more
How super works
This section covers the most popular questions on how superannuation works, including how to find lost super, how much super you need and simple step-by-step superannuation guides.
Below are some of our key How super works articles:
Set out below are all SuperGuide articles referring to How super works.
Property and super: What’s the deal? (15 popular Q & As)
We receive many questions from readers about investing in property using superannuation money. Questions range from: ‘Can I withdraw my super to buy a house to live in?’, right through to ‘How can I use my super fund to borrow money to invest in property?’.For the convenience of our 2.5 million-plus readers, we ... Read more
Age Pension: September 2017 rates apply (until March 2018)
Note: This article explains the latest Age Pension rates, applicable until 19 March 2018. The Age Pension rates are indexed twice-yearly, with the next adjustment taking effect from 20 March 2018. If you are seeking information on the changes to the Age Pension assets test rules which took effect from 1 January 2017, ... Read more
Accessing super to purchase first home
Q: I am 56 years of age. Can I use my super to purchase my first home in Australia?The answer is no, and yes.The general rule is that you must satisfy a condition of release to access super and wanting to buy a property to live in, is not considered a condition of release.The ‘yes’ bit starts now.If an ... Read more
Portfolio disclosure: What’s your super fund investing in?
With trillions of dollars tied up in Australia’s super funds, you’d think it would be pretty easy to find out where all that money is invested. But that’s not the case, with a survey last year by carbon reduction activist group, Market Forces, finding among the 50 largest super funds, 83% of their assets were not ... Read more
Comparing super funds: Who’s who in the super zoo?
Note: We regularly update this article with the latest data on superannuation funds issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. This article contains the latest data available, released on 22 August 2017 (for data as at 30 June 2017).Unless you work in the superannuation industry, how the world of ... Read more
Retirement forecasts from your super fund: 6 facts you need to know
Australians are currently receiving annual member statements from their super funds. When opening these statements, many super fund members will see a comforting projection of how much their account balance is likely to be when they retire, and how much income this account balance will provide each year in ... Read more
Accessing super: Preservation age moves to 57 years
Turning 55, retiring and accessing your super is now a retirement planning strategy from the past. Anyone born on or after 1 July 1960 needs to push from their mind that the age of 55 is the ticket to superannuation access.Since 1 July 2015, Australians turning 55 have had to wait at least another year before they ... Read more
Accessing super: What is my preservation age?
Note: This article explains at what age you can access your superannuation benefits. If you are seeking information on when you can claim the Age Pension, see SuperGuide article Age Pension age increasing to 67 years.We receive hundreds of questions each year asking when you can retire under the superannuation ... Read more
Age Pension age increasing to 67 years
Note: This article explains the current Age Pension age. If you are seeking information on the retirement age for accessing superannuation benefits see SuperGuide article Accessing super: What is my preservation age?If you are seeking information on the January 2017 changes to the Age Pension asset test, then see ... Read more
Australia not ready for Age Pension age of 70 years
The capacity of developed nations around the world to provide a decent taxpayer-funded old Age Pension is being tested constantly with increasing life expectancies, escalating health costs, mind-boggling energy costs, and in many cases, shrinking populations.Although Australia is fortunate (in economic terms) to ... Read more
Retirement Age Reckoner: Discover your preservation age and Age Pension age
Your superannuation benefit and Age Pension entitlements are likely to be very important for your retirement plans.Did you know your right to access your super, or claim the Age Pension, is based on the date you were born? Use the Retirement Age Reckoner below to discover:your preservation age (the minimum ... Read more
