Government priorities, SMSF investing and admin, Pension Loans Scheme, Large super fund performance
Highlights of the June 2019 edition of the SuperGuide newsletter include:
- WHAT SHOULD BE THE GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES NOW? We ask some of Australia’s super and retirement planning experts, including Graeme Colley, Jeremy Cooper and Noel Whittaker, what they think the federal government should now be focusing on.
- DO LARGE SUPER FUNDS PERFORM BETTER? Janine Mace investigates whether size is important when it comes to super fund performance.
- PENSION LOANS SCHEME: There are big changes being introduced to the PLS from 1 July 2019. Learn more about the scheme and find out whether it could be suitable for you.
- FRANKED DIVIDENDS – WHAT NOW? Thanks to the Federal election, more Australians than ever are now aware of the benefits of franked dividends. If you’re curious how to make the most of them, Barbara Drury has prepared a useful guide.
- SMSF INVESTING: In a suite of articles, Barbara also looks in detail at ETFs, LICs and managed funds, as well as exploring the top ETFs, managed funds, domestic and international shares invested in by SMSFs. In a separate article Graham Hand reminds us how critical it is to factor in inflation when planning your investments, and the importance of real returns.
- SMSF ADMIN: We also have a special section on SMSF administration, with Penny Pryor looking at what trustees need to remember throughout the year. In separate articles Alexandra Cain looks at the decisions trustees need to make through the lifestage of an SMSF, and Janine Mace provides a trustee checklist for 2019-2020.
FEATURES
As we see the dawn of a new government, we asked some of Australia’s top experts in superannuation and retirement planning what they think the government should be focusing on. Read more.
As we see the dawn of a new government, we asked some of Australia’s top experts in superannuation and retirement planning what they think the government should be focusing on. Read more.
Size can be an advantage when it comes to economies of scale and investment clout, but big is not always better. Read more.
Size can be an advantage when it comes to economies of scale and investment clout, but big is not always better. Read more.
Bad financial advisers are thankfully the exception rather than the rule, but they do exist so it pays to be aware of some common red flags. Read more.
Bad financial advisers are thankfully the exception rather than the rule, but they do exist so it pays to be aware of some common red flags. Read more.
Retirees and older Australians, be sure to check out all the discounts, services and supports provided by the federal, state and territory governments. Read more.
Retirees and older Australians, be sure to check out all the discounts, services and supports provided by the federal, state and territory governments. Read more.
The size of the self-managed super fund sector continues to grow in terms of members and assets, at the expense of all but industry super funds. Read more.
The size of the self-managed super fund sector continues to grow in terms of members and assets, at the expense of all but industry super funds. Read more.
NEW FINANCIAL YEAR CHANGES
The government’s reverse mortgage (previously called the Pension Loan Scheme), helps older Australians convert property equity into retirement income without selling their home. Read more.
The government’s reverse mortgage (previously called the Pension Loan Scheme), helps older Australians convert property equity into retirement income without selling their home. Read more.
The Protecting Your Super Package of reforms start on 1 July 2019. These reforms are designed to protect your super accounts from being eroded by insurance policy fees and premiums… Read more.
The Protecting Your Super Package of reforms start on 1 July 2019. These reforms are designed to protect your super accounts from being eroded by insurance policy fees and premiums… Read more.
SMSF INVESTING
Managed investments offer instant diversification, but there are important differences between the types of funds on offer – from cost to legal structure. Read more.
Managed investments offer instant diversification, but there are important differences between the types of funds on offer – from cost to legal structure. Read more.
Building a diversified portfolio takes time and effort, but ETFs make it easier for SMSF investors. Here’s how they work and what they cost. Read more.
Building a diversified portfolio takes time and effort, but ETFs make it easier for SMSF investors. Here’s how they work and what they cost. Read more.
Gen X and Millennials are fuelling the rapid take-up of ETFs by SMSF investors, drawn to their instant diversification, global reach, accessability and low cost. Read more.
Gen X and Millennials are fuelling the rapid take-up of ETFs by SMSF investors, drawn to their instant diversification, global reach, accessability and low cost. Read more.
Traditional managed funds have been partially eclipsed by the rise of ETFs, but they remain core holdings for many SMSF investors looking to diversify. Read more.
Traditional managed funds have been partially eclipsed by the rise of ETFs, but they remain core holdings for many SMSF investors looking to diversify. Read more.
Australian shares remain the most popular asset class for SMSF investors, with portfolios dominated by the big banks and miners. Read more.
Australian shares remain the most popular asset class for SMSF investors, with portfolios dominated by the big banks and miners. Read more.
Direct holdings in international shares fell in 2024–25 due to volatile market conditions but perhaps also to the growing appeal of ETFs to access global markets. Read more.
Direct holdings in international shares fell in 2024–25 due to volatile market conditions but perhaps also to the growing appeal of ETFs to access global markets. Read more.
As crypto investments surge in popularity, the ATO has issued guidance for SMSF trustees keen to dip a toe in the virtual asset water. Read more.
As crypto investments surge in popularity, the ATO has issued guidance for SMSF trustees keen to dip a toe in the virtual asset water. Read more.
SMSF ADMIN
Forewarned is forearmed, as they say, so why not download our 2026 SMSF calendar to ensure you don’t miss any crucial dates, deadlines or opportunities in the year ahead. Read more.
Forewarned is forearmed, as they say, so why not download our 2026 SMSF calendar to ensure you don’t miss any crucial dates, deadlines or opportunities in the year ahead. Read more.
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.
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.
An annual audit is one of the necessary tasks associated with running an SMSF, but it can save trustees from inadvertent and costly breaches of the rules. Read more.
An annual audit is one of the necessary tasks associated with running an SMSF, but it can save trustees from inadvertent and costly breaches of the rules. Read more.
