• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
SuperGuide

SuperGuide

Superannuation and retirement planning information

  • Join now
  • Dashboard
  • Log in
  • Dashboard
  • Join now
  • How super works
    • Super rules
    • Contributing to super
    • Accessing super
    • Super tips and strategies
    • Super news
    • Employers guide to super
  • Super funds
    • Compare super funds
    • Best performing super funds
    • Best performing pension funds
    • Choosing a super fund
    • Super investing strategies
    • Super fund guides
  • SMSFs
    • SMSFs for beginners
    • SMSF admin and compliance
    • SMSF investing
    • SMSF pensions
    • SMSF estate planning
    • SMSF strategies
    • SMSF checklists
  • Retirement planning
    • Getting started
    • Retirement planning strategies
    • Super and retirement calculators
    • Case studies
    • Seeking financial advice
    • Preparing for retirement
  • In retirement
    • Income from super
    • Age Pension
    • Work and other income
    • Seniors concessions and services
    • Life in retirement
    • Estate planning
    • Aged care
  • Special features
    • Calculators and reckoners
    • Case studies
    • How-to guides
    • Newsletters
    • Q&As
    • Quizzes
    • Step-by-step guides
    • Tips and strategies
    • Webinars

Home / Newsletter archive / April 2020 newsletter

April 2020 newsletter

Early access to super, March super returns, SMSFs see buying opportunities ahead, Managing your super in a downturn, Minimising super pension risks, Advance care plans

Highlights of the April 2020 edition of the SuperGuide newsletter include:

  • SUPER FUND RETURNS FOR MARCH: Super funds recorded significant falls in March but have clawed back some ground in the first three weeks of April.
  • EARLY RELEASE OF SUPER: As part of its response to the Coronavirus, the Federal Government is allowing Australians to access up to $20,000 of their super. We give the details, and we also look at the rules around early access that apply to SMSFs.
  • SMSFS AHEAD OF THE INVESTMENT CURVE: Perhaps due to their age and experience, SMSF investors are more likely than others to see the current market turmoil as a buying opportunity.
  • WORRIED ABOUT YOUR SUPER? DON’T PANIC: It seems counter-intuitive, but the best thing to do with your super when the market panics is often nothing. Janine Mace looks at the evidence for holding tight and offers tips to stretch your retirement dollars further.
  • TESTING TIMES FOR SUPER PENSIONS: A big market fall is especially difficult to handle in the years just before and after retirement. Barbara Drury looks at the twin risks to be aware of. While the Government’s temporary halving of pension drawdown rates is a help, Penny Pryor looks at an additional strategy for SMSFs.
  • TAKING CARE OF YOUR HEALTH: The Coronavirus has made us all more aware that not just the elderly can become critically unwell. Bina Brown explains why everyone should have an advance care plan. And longevity researcher David Williams shares insights into positive ageing.

SUPER NEWS

Super news for April 2020
Scammers targeting early release of super, ASIC announces advice relief measures, ATO releases Q&As on coronavirus, SMSF annual returns can be deferred, and the federal government releases a Code of… Read more.
Super news for April 2020
Scammers targeting early release of super, ASIC announces advice relief measures, ATO releases Q&As on coronavirus, SMSF annual returns can be deferred, and the federal government releases a Code of… Read more.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to March 2025
President Trump’s tariff chaos continued to wreak havoc on global share markets in March, putting a dent in super fund returns although they remain positive for the financial year to… Read more.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to March 2025
President Trump’s tariff chaos continued to wreak havoc on global share markets in March, putting a dent in super fund returns although they remain positive for the financial year to… Read more.

ACCESSING SUPER

When can I access my super? All conditions of release explained
While super is designed to provide income in retirement, there are circumstances when you may be eligible to withdraw some or all of your savings. Read more.
When can I access my super? All conditions of release explained
While super is designed to provide income in retirement, there are circumstances when you may be eligible to withdraw some or all of your savings. Read more.
Early release of super due to severe financial hardship
You may be able to withdraw a small lump sum from your retirement savings if you are in severe financial hardship and not otherwise eligible to access your super, but… Read more.
Early release of super due to severe financial hardship
You may be able to withdraw a small lump sum from your retirement savings if you are in severe financial hardship and not otherwise eligible to access your super, but… Read more.
Early release of super on compassionate grounds
While compassion is a general term, the ATO applies strict rules when deciding whether you can withdraw some of your super early on compassionate grounds. Read more.
Early release of super on compassionate grounds
While compassion is a general term, the ATO applies strict rules when deciding whether you can withdraw some of your super early on compassionate grounds. Read more.
Can my SMSF loan money to me or my business?
There are a number of ways of legally accessing super early via an SMSF. These strategies are useful in times of economic disruption such as the current disruption relating to… Read more.
Can my SMSF loan money to me or my business?
There are a number of ways of legally accessing super early via an SMSF. These strategies are useful in times of economic disruption such as the current disruption relating to… Read more.

SMSFs

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. Read more.
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. Read more.
Common errors SMSF trustees make with their annual returns
If you want to stay on the right side of the ATO and avoid costly penalties, it pays to review its list of common mistakes made by SMSFs when lodging… Read more.
Common errors SMSF trustees make with their annual returns
If you want to stay on the right side of the ATO and avoid costly penalties, it pays to review its list of common mistakes made by SMSFs when lodging… Read more.
SMSFs: What to do if you get a breach notification from the ATO
If your SMSF comes to the attention of the ATO for the wrong reasons, don’t panic; swift remedial action is generally the best policy. Read more
SMSFs: What to do if you get a breach notification from the ATO
If your SMSF comes to the attention of the ATO for the wrong reasons, don’t panic; swift remedial action is generally the best policy. Read more

RETIREMENT PLANNING

Can I get free financial advice?
If you could do with some help with your finances but can’t afford a professional adviser, all is not lost. Free financial advice and digital tools are out there if… Read more.
Can I get free financial advice?
If you could do with some help with your finances but can’t afford a professional adviser, all is not lost. Free financial advice and digital tools are out there if… Read more.
How can you plan your income needs in retirement?
How to plan your income in retirement can be one of the most confusing aspects of retirement planning. In this video members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers provide… Read more.
How can you plan your income needs in retirement?
How to plan your income in retirement can be one of the most confusing aspects of retirement planning. In this video members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers provide… Read more.
Retirement cost of living: 10 tips to boost your finances
The cost-of-living crisis has left many retirees worried about their financial position, so now could be a good time to check if your retirement budget needs a tune-up. Read more.
Retirement cost of living: 10 tips to boost your finances
The cost-of-living crisis has left many retirees worried about their financial position, so now could be a good time to check if your retirement budget needs a tune-up. Read more.

SUPER PENSIONS

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. Read more.
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. Read more.
Minimum pension drawdown rates (2024–25) and calculator
Retirees with an account-based super pension are required to withdraw a minimum amount each year. This is how it’s calculated. Read more.
Minimum pension drawdown rates (2024–25) and calculator
Retirees with an account-based super pension are required to withdraw a minimum amount each year. This is how it’s calculated. Read more.
What strategies can I consider to reduce tax on a super pension paid from my SMSF?
When and how you withdraw income from your super in retirement can have significant tax benefits. Read more.
What strategies can I consider to reduce tax on a super pension paid from my SMSF?
When and how you withdraw income from your super in retirement can have significant tax benefits. Read more.
Commuting an SMSF account-based pension
Stopping part or all of a pension can be a useful strategy for SMSFs in certain situations. We explain how and why. Read more.
Commuting an SMSF account-based pension
Stopping part or all of a pension can be a useful strategy for SMSFs in certain situations. We explain how and why. Read more.

IN RETIREMENT

Advance care plans: Why everyone should have one
Talking about death and dying is always difficult, but making your end of life wishes know can save unnecessary suffering for you and your loved ones. Read more.
Advance care plans: Why everyone should have one
Talking about death and dying is always difficult, but making your end of life wishes know can save unnecessary suffering for you and your loved ones. Read more.
Rise of the three-quarter life crisis
Move over midlife crisis. New research shows more of us are going through a major life reassessment much later in life. Read more.
Rise of the three-quarter life crisis
Move over midlife crisis. New research shows more of us are going through a major life reassessment much later in life. Read more.


Primary Sidebar

Newsletters
Saved guides
Step-by-step guides
Webinars

Footer

SuperGuide is Australia’s leading superannuation and retirement planning website.

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.

SuperGuide membership

  • JOIN NOW
  • Free SuperGuide newsletter
  • New to SuperGuide?
  • Pricing
  • Subscriber reviews
  • SuperGuide for boosting your super
  • SuperGuide for planning your retirement
  • SuperGuide for retirees
  • SuperGuide for SMSFs

Company

  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact us
  • Copyright Policy
  • Editorial Policy and Complaints
  • Sitemap
  • Support
4.7

Based on 77 reviews

Address
Level 23, 520 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, NSW 2022
Phone
1800 955 753

Disclaimer

All information on SuperGuide is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether any information on SuperGuide is appropriate to you before acting on it. If SuperGuide refers to a financial product you should obtain the relevant product disclosure statement (PDS) or seek personal financial advice before making any investment decisions.

  • Full SuperGuide disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions of Use
  • Financial Services Guide
  • Privacy Policy and Privacy Collection

© 2008–2025 SuperGuide

SuperGuide
Forgot Password
 

Not a member?
Learn more about becoming a SuperGuide member