Skip to content
  • Super booster
    • Super essentialsMaster the fundamentals of super.
    • Super fund essentialsMake the most of your super fund.
    • Super investingBest performing super funds and investing strategies.
    • Super contributionsContribution rules, caps, and strategies to grow your super.
    • Super and taxMaximise tax benefits and keep more of your money.
    • Super resourcesCalculators, step-by-step guides, webinars, news and our employers guide
  • Retirement planner
    • Getting startedBegin your retirement planning journey.
    • Planning your retirementBuild your plan for the years ahead.
    • Retirement calculatorsSee how much you’ll need and if you’re on track.
    • Case studiesSee how others planned successfully.
    • Seeking financial adviceDecide if advice is right for you.
    • Preparing for retirementGet ready for your retirement years
  • Retiree
    • Accessing superLearn when and how to withdraw your super.
    • Managing super in retirementMake your super last longer.
    • Age Pension and seniors concessionsSee what benefits you can claim.
    • Other income in retirementFind income sources beyond super.
    • Life in retirementIdeas and guidance to enjoy a fulfilling retirement.
    • Later life planningPrepare for aged care and estate matters.
  • SMSFsAs if superannuation wasn’t complex enough, when you have a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) you take on considerably more responsibility, and it’s essential therefore to have a comprehensive understanding of the current super and SMSF rules. In this section you will find detailed explanations of the SMSF rules and the responsibilities for SMSF trustees. SMSFs for beginners SMSF administration SMSF checklists SMSF compliance SMSF investment SMSF pensions SMSF strategies SMSF Q & As As a first step, the following are key articles that describe how SMSFs work.
    • SMSF for beginnersLearn how to set up and run an SMSF.
    • SMSF admin and complianceStay on top of your obligations.
    • SMSF investingBuild and manage your SMSF investments.
    • SMSF pensions and lump sumsLearn how to pay pensions or lump sums from your SMSF.
    • SMSF estate planningPlan how your SMSF benefits are passed on.
    • SMSF strategies and checklistsPractical strategies, checklists and action plans.
  • Special features
    • Calculators
    • Newsletters
    • Step-by-step guides
    • Webinars
Join free
Log in
Join free
Log in
Newsletters
Saved guides
Step-by-step guides
Webinars

December 2020 newsletter

Super end to 2020, Real cost of SMSFs, Investing under COVID, Your home and retirement planning, Reverse mortgages, Super rules for employers.

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

  • SUPER FUNDS FINISH STRONGLY. After a wild ride of a year, super funds are poised to end 2020 ahead by a nose.
  • WHAT DOES IT COST TO RUN AN SMSF? It may be less than you think, depending on your balance, according to a new study.
  • THE SEARCH FOR AN INVESTMENT CURE FOR COVID. With the US election over, investors focus on stocks geared to recovery.   
  • HOME MAKEOVER. The Retirement Income Review casts the family home as a pillar of retirement planning.
  • UNLOCKING HOME EQUITY. There’s renewed interest in reverse mortgages to top up retirement income.
  • SUPER GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS. Choice of fund, tax breaks, salary sacrifice, redundancy, retirement – we’ve got you covered.

HOW SUPER WORKS

Super news for December 2020
Rise in costs for retirees, APRA releases latest super statistics, Returns not the main driver for SMSF trustees, Financing ageing in place for older Australians, Financial advice boosts wealth and… Read more.
Super news for December 2020
Rise in costs for retirees, APRA releases latest super statistics, Returns not the main driver for SMSF trustees, Financing ageing in place for older Australians, Financial advice boosts wealth and… Read more.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to July 2026
The median Growth fund returned 0.3% in July 2026, a modest start to the new financial year after a 9.5% gain in 2025–26. See the latest monthly returns for all… Read more.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to July 2026
The median Growth fund returned 0.3% in July 2026, a modest start to the new financial year after a 9.5% gain in 2025–26. See the latest monthly returns for all… Read more.
Super funds of the year awards: Best super funds for 2026
Find out which funds are delivering the best returns, products and services for their members. Read more.
Super funds of the year awards: Best super funds for 2026
Find out which funds are delivering the best returns, products and services for their members. Read more.
Superannuation Glossary
Brush up on the super lexicon with our extensive glossary. 15% pension offset: A 15% tax offset available against assessable pension income if you use super money to purchase a… Read more.
Superannuation Glossary
Brush up on the super lexicon with our extensive glossary. 15% pension offset: A 15% tax offset available against assessable pension income if you use super money to purchase a… Read more.

SMSFs

What are the setup and running costs for an SMSF?
Cost may not be the main factor when deciding whether to start your own super fund, but you need to know what the costs might be in your time as… Read more.
What are the setup and running costs for an SMSF?
Cost may not be the main factor when deciding whether to start your own super fund, but you need to know what the costs might be in your time as… Read more.
How much super do you need to set up an SMSF?
It’s a debate that never entirely goes away, but there’s a growing body of research that indicates you may not need as much to start your own super fund as previously thought. Read more.
How much super do you need to set up an SMSF?
It’s a debate that never entirely goes away, but there’s a growing body of research that indicates you may not need as much to start your own super fund as previously thought. Read more.

RETIREMENT PLANNING

Rethinking the role of your home in retirement
Home ownership provides a sense of security and wellbeing in retirement, but it could also be a potential source of income. Read more.
Rethinking the role of your home in retirement
Home ownership provides a sense of security and wellbeing in retirement, but it could also be a potential source of income. Read more.
Reverse mortgages: What are they and how do they work?
Retirees who own their home but would like to top up their income for whatever reason are increasingly tapping into their home equity with a reverse mortgage. Read more.
Reverse mortgages: What are they and how do they work?
Retirees who own their home but would like to top up their income for whatever reason are increasingly tapping into their home equity with a reverse mortgage. Read more.
Change your mindset: Ways to deal with boredom in retirement
No need to be bored or overwhelmed now that you have finished work. Make the most of your retirement with expert tips from Dr Jon Glass. Read more.
Change your mindset: Ways to deal with boredom in retirement
No need to be bored or overwhelmed now that you have finished work. Make the most of your retirement with expert tips from Dr Jon Glass. Read more.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

See also our coverage of the Retirement Income Review.


SUPER GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS (PART 2)

Checklist for employers to master your super responsibilities
Getting the details right when it comes to paying employees’ super can be tricky, so use our 7-point checklist to ensure you meet your super obligations. Read more.
Checklist for employers to master your super responsibilities
Getting the details right when it comes to paying employees’ super can be tricky, so use our 7-point checklist to ensure you meet your super obligations. Read more.
What to do about super when an employee leaves your business
How to get your final super contribution right and help retiring employees. Read more.
What to do about super when an employee leaves your business
How to get your final super contribution right and help retiring employees. Read more.
Creating effective salary-sacrifice arrangements with your employees
The right written agreement prevents tax issues for your staff. Read more.
Creating effective salary-sacrifice arrangements with your employees
The right written agreement prevents tax issues for your staff. Read more.
ATO reporting for salary sacrifice and additional employer super contributions
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. Read more.
ATO reporting for salary sacrifice and additional employer super contributions
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. Read more.
Choosing a default fund for your employees
What you need to know to select the right fund for your staff. Read more.
Choosing a default fund for your employees
What you need to know to select the right fund for your staff. Read more.
Super fund choice, stapled funds and employer obligations
Most employees now have the right to choose their own super fund, but employers still aren’t off the hook when it comes to offering choice of super fund. Read more
Super fund choice, stapled funds and employer obligations
Most employees now have the right to choose their own super fund, but employers still aren’t off the hook when it comes to offering choice of super fund. Read more
Quiz: Employer super responsibilities
Take this 10-question quiz to test your knowledge on the superannuation responsibilities for employers. Read more
Quiz: Employer super responsibilities
Take this 10-question quiz to test your knowledge on the superannuation responsibilities for employers. Read more


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

  • Become a member
  • Start a free account
  • Pricing
  • What our members say
  • What SuperGuide covers
  • Employer workplace program

Company

  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Support
  • Super Funds Guide

Find the right membership

Retirement is a long way off

Key guides

  • Best performing super funds
  • Carry-forward (catch-up) contributions
  • Bring-forward rule
  • Spouse contribution splitting
  • Super fund performance

Nearing retirement

Key guides

  • How much super do I need to retire?
  • When can I access my super?
  • How to plan for your retirement
  • How much super should I have?
  • Boost your super before retirement

In retirement

Key guides

  • Age Pension calculator
  • Super recontribution strategy
  • Making contributions after age 60
  • Maximise your Age Pension
  • Make your super last longer

SMSF trustees

Key guides

  • SMSF setup and running costs
  • SMSF investment strategy
  • How to start a pension in your SMSF
  • Managing CGT in your SMSF
  • SMSF tax-saving strategies

Address

Level 23, 520 Oxford St,
Bondi Junction, NSW 2022

Phone

1800 955 753

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
4.7

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 disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions of Use
  • Financial Services Guide
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy and Complaints
  • Copyright Policy

© 2008–2026 SuperGuide

SuperGuide
Forgot Password
 

Not a member?
Learn more about becoming a SuperGuide member