Federal Election and Federal Budget, Super contributions case studies, Cheapest super and pension funds, Top sustainable funds, DIY SMSF
Highlights of the April 2019 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:
- FEDERAL ELECTION AND FEDERAL BUDGET: The election campaigning is now in full swing and superannuation has already been making headlines. We have prepared overviews of the Coalition’s and the ALP’s super and retirement-related policies, as well as a summary of the government’s Federal Budget announcements and the opposition’s Budget Reply speech.
- SUPER CONTRIBUTIONS CASE STUDIES: It can be difficult to know what super contributions might work best for you, so Janine Mace provides a handy overview of how they work, plus 5 case studies to illustrate how they can help boost your super savings.
- CHEAPEST SUPER AND PENSION FUNDS: Low fees can boost returns – check if your fund is one of the cheapest.
- TOP SUSTAINABLE FUNDS: The jury is out on whether investing responsibly can provide better returns, but ESG funds are important for many investors who want to plan for their future in more ways than one. Discover what the top performing sustainable funds are over the last 10 years.
- ACCESSING YOUR SUPER: Find out all the possible ways you can access your super, whether you are transitioning to retirement, reaching age 60, or wanting to access your super early.
- DIY SMSF: We often get questions about how to manage your SMSF without an accountant. This month we show you how to prepare your financial statements for an auditor, and how to fill in your tax return.
- FRANKED DIVIDENDS: Franked dividends and franking credits are likely to be a significant issue in the forthcoming election. Ali Cain gives a refresher on how the franked dividends rules currently operate.
- ESSENTIAL INVESTING CONCEPTS: In three short articles we review some of the basic concepts on investing, covering the magic of compounding, the rule of 72 and what is meant by “today’s dollars”.
2019 FEDERAL ELECTION AND FEDERAL BUDGET
2019 Federal Election: Coalition policies on super, tax and retirement
This article summarises the Coalition’s main election announcements related to superannuation, tax, investing and matters that may affecting your retirement planning.
Read more2019 Federal Election: ALP policies on super, tax and retirement
The 2019 Federal Election has been announced for 18 May, and the ALP are now presenting their campaign policies to the nation.
Read more2019 Federal Budget overview: Super, tax and related announcements
On 2 April 2019, Josh Frydenberg announced his first Federal Budget as Treasurer. There were only a handful of policies that directly relate to superannuation, but also tax cuts and a one-off energy payment for older Australians.
Read more2019 ALP Federal Budget reply: Super, tax and related announcements
On Thursday April 4th Labor leader Bill Shorten delivered his reply to this week’s Federal Budget. In this article we’ll look at Labor’s reply in relation to tax and superannuation measures, as well as announcements that affect older Australians.
Read moreWhat just happened to our tax? Here’s an explanation you’ll understand
With all the announcements on tax over the past few days it’s hard to keep track. So here goes. A year ago the then treasurer Scott Morrison unveiled a “seven year personal tax”.
Read moreFEATURES
What super contributions are best for me?
Working out the best mix of super contributions to grow your nest egg can be confusing. Here are some simple case studies to help show you the impact for Aussies of different ages, incomes and work situations.
Read moreSuper and pension funds with the lowest fees
Super fund fees are in the government’s sights, and funds are beginning to take notice.
Read moreTop performing sustainable investment funds
Investors are enjoying an explosion in the range of sustainable investment options in the market. Between 2016 and 2017 there was a 340% rise in funds that screen assets for their sustainability features, or lack thereof.
Read moreHow do tax-deductible superannuation contributions work?
Making a tax-deductible super contribution can be a great way to boost your retirement savings. Find out whether they could be the right strategy for you.
Read moreWhat are the different types of super funds?
Whatever your circumstances, it’s important to canvass all your options before you make your final selection. It’s also worth remembering that your choice of fund is not a life sentence. If you are unhappy with your fund for whatever reason, you are free to switch funds provided you have choice.
Read moreWhen can I access my super? All conditions of release explained
To legally access your super in Australia you must satisfy a condition of release. Different conditions of release have different payment conditions and tax implications.
Read moreRetirement cost of living: How much does a comfortable lifestyle cost?
Knowing what and where you will spend will make retirement planning much easier, and help you avoid retirees’ biggest fear: outliving their savings.
Read moreDon’t wait for a crisis – start planning your aged care now
Most Australians prefer to die at home but few adequately plan for it. Consequently, just one in seven dies at home. Some say they will make plans “when the need arises”. But what if you have a heart attack, go into a coma, have a stroke, or develop dementia before having shared your thoughts?
Read moreSMSFs
How to prepare for an SMSF auditor and fill in your SMSF tax return
If you’re an SMSF trustee and you’re not using the services of an accountant, you must provide your fund auditor with all relevant documentation for your fund’s accounts and financial transactions for the financial year being audited.
Read moreThe definitive SMSF guide to franked dividends
You can receive a tax credit by buying shares in Australian companies that pay franked dividends. Dividends paid to shareholders by Australian resident companies are taxed under a system known as imputation.
Read moreSMSFs and property: A Super Guide
One of the unique characteristics of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), which make them attractive to some investors, is their ability to invest in direct property.
Read moreSMSF compliance: What are trustees’ responsibilities?
SMSF trustees are legally obliged to ensure their fund’s compliance with superannuation legislation in Australia. The ATO imposes a range of penalties for non-compliance, depending on the seriousness of the breach.
Read moreWhich asset classes are popular with SMSFs?
Which investments are most popular with SMSFs? A short and simplistic answer is that shares and cash and term deposits compete as the most popular investments across the board for SMSFs.
Read moreSTARTING A PENSION
Starting a pension from your super
The most popular type of superannuation pension is an account-based pension, which is also the main type of super pension available to retirees. The technical term for a superannuation pension is a ‘complying pension’ (that is complying with the superannuation rules).
Read moreSMSFs: How to start a pension
One of the benefits of having a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) is its ability to pay members an income stream, or account-based pension. Of course any superannuation fund can do this, but paying a pension from an SMSF offers members more control and flexibility.
Read moreESSENTIAL INVESTING CONCEPTS
The magic of compounding interest
Compound interest is the interest calculated from an initial sum of money which is then added to the total which increases each time that interest payment is paid out.
Read moreThe Rule of 72, and how it can help you choose an investment
How long does it take to double your investment? By applying The Rule of 72, you’ll be able to answer that question since it is an easy mathematical formula.
Read more‘Today’s Dollars’: The impact of inflation on retirement income
Planning for your retirement and working out how much you’ll need to enjoy a good standard of living after your working years can be a complex task, and one factor that needs to be considered is inflation.
Read moreLATEST SUPER PERFORMANCE
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to January 2021
Super funds continued their positive run in January despite challenging conditions on global markets.
Read moreWhat are lifecycle super funds, and how do they perform?
The surprisingly strong share market rally from April through to August resulted in strong positive returns for all Lifecycle cohorts during that period.
Read more