Ethical investing, SMSF 2022 calendar, Accessing super, Can you afford to retire, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Q&A, Carer Allowance.
Highlights of the December 2021 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:
- THE PARADOX OF CHOICE: The latest super heatmaps show that the best Choice super funds can outperform MySuper funds, but the majority still underperform the benchmark.
- ADDING VALUES TO SUPER: As more Australians opt to align their values with their investments, we discuss what to look out for.
- YOUR 2022 SMSF PLANNER: Download our annual calendar and tick-off your SMSFs to-do list as the year unfolds.
- TURNING ON THE SUPER TAP: Retirement is the main reason for tapping into super, but it’s not the only reason, as we explain.
- ARE WE THERE YET? If you’re wondering if you can afford to retire, our case study will guide you through the calculations.
- YOUR CSHC QUERIES ANSWERED: Many of you had questions about eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Here’s the drill.
- CARING FOR THE CARER: If you’re retired and caring for a frail partner or parent, this payment may ease the financial burden.
SUPER NEWS
Super news for December 2021
Pension Loans Scheme rebranded, rate reduced, 12% Superannuation Guarantee guaranteed, Super fund merger news, Australians want to work for longer, Younger Australians not confident about their retirement, Switching decisions don’t pay off for superannuants, Super funds and Nukes.
SUPER FUNDS
Latest MySuper heatmap highlights best and worst performers
APRA’s blowtorch, in the form of its MySuper Heatmap, appears to be working, with fewer funds underperforming or exiting the industry in 2022.
How to make your super more socially aware
Aligning your super investments with your values is increasingly important to many people, but before you switch you should understand what to look for.
What are defined benefit super funds?
Although defined benefit funds are disappearing in Australia, if you’re lucky enough to be a member, they can offer a valuable way to save for your retirement.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to March 2024
Super funds continued their positive run in March, with the median Growth fund up 1.9% over the month.
SMSFs
Your 2024 SMSF calendar
Forewarned is forearmed, as they say, so why not download our 2024 SMSF calendar to ensure you don’t miss any crucial dates, deadlines or opportunities in the year ahead.
SMSF trust deeds: Rules and guidelines
Before you set out on your SMSF journey, you will need a road map known as a trust deed.
SMSFs structures: Corporate or individual trustee?
Corporate trustees are becoming increasingly popular with SMSFs, but an individual trustee structure also has its merits.
SMSF audits: Fees and guidelines
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.
How to prepare for an SMSF auditor and fill in your SMSF tax return
Even if you outsource most of the boring SMSF admin, there are two annual tasks trustees can’t avoid.
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.
Accessing super: Reaching preservation age and retiring
Many of us dream of early retirement, but if you need to access your super to live the dream you need to tick a few boxes first, beginning with your age.
Early release of super for illness or injury
Being sick or injured is stressful and difficult financially. Early release of money from your super could help relieve the pressure.
RETIREMENT PLANNING
Case study: When can I afford to retire?
If you are thinking about retiring but not sure whether you have enough super, it’s time to do some preliminary calculations.
How accurate are ‘retirement estimates’? 7 assumptions you need to understand
Fund estimates and online calculators can provide value insights for planning your retirement, but you need to understand the assumptions used to create them.
Quiz: Planning for retirement
Take the following 10-question quiz to test your knowledge on how to plan for your retirement.
IN RETIREMENT
Centrelink Q&As: Super pensions and the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
Sheena Stow-Smith from PensionHelp answers reader questions about super pensions and how they impact the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
How to navigate the different phases of retirement
Retirement planning often focuses on finances but preparing yourself emotionally and practically is just as important.
What’s the Carer Allowance and am I eligible?
If you’re retired and caring for an ill or frail partner or family member, the government’s Carer Allowance can provide some useful extra income.
What retirees need to understand about property insurance
An increased risk of bushfires this summer means you need to make sure you have enough insurance in place to cover any losses.
How the Home Equity Access Scheme works (formerly Pension Loan Scheme)
The Home Equity Access Scheme can be a great way to boost your retirement income by taking a loan from the government against the equity in your home.