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SuperGuide

Superannuation and retirement planning information

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    • Super for beginners
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    • Comparing super funds
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    • Super fund profiles
  • SMSFs
    • SMSFs for beginners
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  • Plan your retirement
    • Retirement planning for beginners
    • When should I retire?
    • How long will I live?
    • How much super do I need?
    • Will I get the Age Pension?
    • How much will I spend in retirement?
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    • Retirement calculators and reckoners
  • In retirement
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Home / How super works / Super rules

Super rules

For a system that’s simply meant to provide Australians with retirement income, there is nothing simple about superannuation.

There are rules for everything. From how much money you can put in to how and when you can take it out. There are rules governing how much you can have in super before being penalised, and rules relating to tax, death and divorce.

Yes, it’s a chore. But as super remains the most tax-effective vehicle for retirement savings, it’s worth knowing the rules and making the most of them.

Learn about the key aspects of the super rules in the following SuperGuide articles.

Superannuation rule changes: Your guide for 2020/21

June 30, 2020

Key superannuation rates and thresholds for 2020/21

June 29, 2020

In your 70s? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020

In your 60s? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020

In your 50s? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020

In your 20s, 30s or 40s? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020

In your teens? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020

Set out below are all SuperGuide articles that relate to Super rules.

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Video: How super policy settings work against women

September 15, 2020 by Tracey Spicer Leave a Comment

Tracey Spicer talks to Cate Wood, Chair of Women in Super about some of the ways that super policy works against women, and how COVID-19 may widen the super gender gap.

A super guide to understanding the bring-forward rule

July 1, 2020 by Janine Mace 1 Comment

The bring-forward rule represents an important opportunity to put more money into your super account in a particular year if you receive an inheritance or are getting close to retirement. Here’s a simple guide to how it works.

Superannuation rule changes: Your guide for 2020/21

June 30, 2020 by Janine Mace Leave a Comment

If you are wondering how recent rule changes have affected your super and retirement plans, here’s a quick guide to the key changes and when they commenced.

Key superannuation rates and thresholds for 2020/21

June 29, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

From tax on super lump sums to the transfer balance cap, there are a range of rates and thresholds that can affect your super. In this article we provide an overview of the key aspects of each of these rates and thresholds for 2020/21.

Superannuation for the self-employed

June 9, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

If you are one of the estimated 10% of Australians who are self-employed as a sole trader or in a partnership, then superannuation is generally not compulsory.

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In your 70s? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020 by Janine Mace Leave a Comment

Once you reach age 70, your ability to make contributions into your super account is limited, so it’s important to ensure you know all the rules governing when you can make contributions and withdraw money.

In your 60s? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020 by Janine Mace Leave a Comment

Once you reach age 60, the rules of the super system change, so it’s important to know all the rules governing when you can make contributions and withdraw money from your account.

In your 50s? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020 by Janine Mace Leave a Comment

When you get to your 50s, you should be paying a lot more attention to your super savings. So you need to know all the rules about making contributions and withdrawing money from your account.

In your 20s, 30s or 40s? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020 by Janine Mace Leave a Comment

In the early to mid stages of your working life you need to pay attention to your super to ensure it’s growing steadily. But you also need to know the rules about making contributions and withdrawals.

In your teens? The super rules that apply to you

May 1, 2020 by Janine Mace Leave a Comment

When you’re in your teens you are new to the super system, so it’s important to learn how much and when you can contribute and when you can get your hands on your savings.

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How do I transfer a UK pension to an Australian super fund?

May 1, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

If you’re thinking of transferring a UK pension into an Australian super fund, the process has become much more difficult in recent years, but not impossible.

How is super split in a divorce?

February 1, 2020 by Barbara Drury Leave a Comment

When couples divorce, super is often overlooked in favour of more readily accessible assets. While that’s understandable, ignoring super can result in serious financial disadvantage in the long term. Get the lowdown on what happens to super in the event of a relationship breakdown.

Definitive guide to the $1.6 million transfer balance cap

January 30, 2020 by Penny Pryor 1 Comment

On 1 July 2017, the transfer balance cap was introduced for Australians in retirement. Find out how it works and whether it impacts you.

Is super better or worse than ever?

September 4, 2019 by Penny Pryor Leave a Comment

Super for Aussie workers has come a long way in the last 150 years. We look at the highs and lows of super since it was first put in place to see if it still stacks up.

Three retirement income priorities for the returned Morrison Government

June 11, 2019 by John Daley and Brendan Coates Leave a Comment

The Morrison Government confronts a big agenda when it comes to retirement incomes. They need to implement the superannuation recommendations of the Hayne Royal Commission and respond to the Productivity Commission inquiry into superannuation costs.

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How super works
Super for beginners
Super rules
Employers guide to super
Super contributions
Super and tax
Accessing super
Super news
Women and super
Super tips and strategies
How-to guides
Super quizzes
Superannuation Q&As
Superannuation glossary
Super funds
Best performing super funds
Super fund rankings
Best performing pension funds
Pension fund rankings
Super fund average returns
Super investing strategies
Comparing super funds
Choosing a super fund
Choosing an investment option
Super fund fees
Insurance and super
Super fund profiles
SMSFs
SMSFs for beginners
SMSF administration
SMSF checklists
SMSF compliance
SMSF investing
SMSF pensions
SMSF strategies
SMSF Q&As
Plan your retirement
Retirement planning for beginners
When should I retire?
How long will I live?
How much super do I need?
Will I get the Age Pension?
How much will I spend in retirement?
Financial advice
Retiring overseas
Preparing for retirement
Retirement planning strategies
Retirement calculators and reckoners
In retirement
Income in retirement
Super lump sums
Super pensions
Age Pension
Working in retirement
Life in retirement
Senior concessions and services
Aged care
Estate planning
Super death benefits
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All information on SuperGuide is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs.

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Superguide Pty Ltd ATF Superguide Unit Trust as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Independent Financial Advisers Australia, AFSL 464629

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