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Home / SuperGuide newsletters / January 2020 newsletter

January 2020 newsletter

Best performing super funds, 2019 in review, SMSF NY resolutions, Largest super funds, Salary sacrificing, Super investing, Seniors cards, Property insurance, Life expectancy

Highlights of the January 2020 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:

  • BEST PERFORMING SUPER FUNDS: Discover the top performing growth super funds of 2019 and over the last 10 years.
  • INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE: 2019 surprised many pundits with several asset classes producing significantly higher returns than predicted. Barbara Drury reviews the year and highlights some issues for the year ahead. In separate articles we look at the performance for 12 asset classes and the median performance for 5 super fund investment options.
  • SUPER INVESTING: Do you know how your super is invested? Janine Mace details how the disclosure rules for super funds are set to change, how you can invest in infrastructure and responsible investment options, the steps to take to review your current investment option, and what to check before you change.
  • SUPER BENEFITS: Beyond investing for your retirement, superannuation has many other hidden benefits. We highlight 10 that can help improve your finances. Salary sacrificing is one of the best known strategies to reduce your income tax bill. Since the rules changed on 1 January 2020 why not not refresh your knowledge on what is possible in our comprehensive salary sacrifice guide?
  • SMSFs: Do you have any new years resolutions for your SMSF? Penny Pryor looks at what you might consider, and how to be on top for the year ahead. Separately we look at two of the most confusing aspects of SMSF investment – the arms length rule and in specie transfers.
  • RETIREMENT PLANNING: The bushfires have produced so much heartbreaking devastation, particularly in areas popular with retirees. We look at how retirees can review whether they have an appropriate level of home and contents insurance. We also learn how state seniors cards can provide significant savings for retirees, we ask retirees what they would have done differently when retiring, analyse the latest life expectancy data, and highlight what nutrients you need to increase in your diet once you hit 70.

SUPERANNUATION

2019 Year in Review

Shares at record highs and interest rates at record lows. One of the defining aspects of 2019 was the flight to higher risk assets in pursuit of higher returns.

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Super news for January 2020

This month we look at what support is available to Australians affected by the bushfires, changes to legislation allow high earners to opt out of some SG payments, warnings from the ATO and ASIC on early release of super schemes, the price of medications for pensioners has come down, FASEA’s ethics rules are now in place and APRA launches a new sustainability standard.

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10 hidden perks that make your super account even better

Besides being a great way to save for retirement, Australia’s super system offers some valuable – but little-known – benefits for super fund members. Here’s our list of the top 10 super benefits and how they can help improve your financial situation.

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Which are the largest super funds?

Superannuation is now very much super-sized, with 187 super funds and $2.9 trillion invested. Here we list the 20 largest super funds in Australia so that you can benchmark your own fund.

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Salary sacrifice and super: How does it work?

From 1 January 2020, your salary sacrificed super contributions can’t be used by your employer to reduce their SG payment obligations, regardless of the amount you elect to salary sacrifice.

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SUPER PERFORMANCE

Best performing super funds: High Growth category (81–95%)

In this article you can discover the top 10 performing High Growth funds over 1 year and 10 years to 31 December 2020. High Growth funds have 81-95% invested in growth assets.

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Best performing super funds: Conservative category (21–40%)

In this article you can discover the top 10 performing Conservative super funds over 1 year and 10 years to 31 December 2020. Conservative funds have 21-40% invested in growth assets.

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SUPER INVESTING

Do you know what your super fund is invested in?

The investment assets of many super funds are far from transparent – both publicly and for fund members. It’s a situation the government has tried to remedy over a number of years, but from 31 December 2020 all that’s changing.

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How investing in infrastructure boosts your super account

If you’re a member of a big super fund, chances are you are a part-owner in an airport, a pipeline or a major shipping port. So why have super funds embraced infrastructure and what’s in it for you as a super fund member?

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3 questions to ask when choosing a responsible investment option

If you’d like more control over how your super is invested, we have prepared a simple guide to what responsible investment means when it comes to super.

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What are the buy/sell spreads charged by my super fund?

Buy/sell spread fees are something we’re all likely to see a lot more of thanks to ASIC’s new disclosure rules for annual fund member statements. So just what are these mysterious charges and how do they work?

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Is it time to change your super investment option?

If you believe your super fund is not performing as well as you had hoped, or as well as other super funds, what can you do? Here’s our 5-step guide to help you assess whether your super fund’s investment performance is staying with the pack – or lagging the field.

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How to change your investment option: 6 points to check before you switch

If you’re unhappy with how your super savings have grown, it’s worth considering whether you’re in the right investment option in your super fund. To help you work through the process of making an investment option switch, check out our simple explainer.

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SMSFs

5 new year’s resolutions for your SMSF

An SMSF is no different to a fitness, diet or a savings plan, in that a few days dedicated to making sure it is in order for the year ahead will reap benefits over the next 12 months. So what are some of the things that you should be resolving to do for your SMSF in 2021?

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Your SMSF calendar

SMSF trustees have a lot to remember. Along with trustee meetings and minutes, trustees need to keep up to date with current superannuation legislation and review their investments regularly. There are annual returns to lodge, auditor reports to arrange and actuarial reports to book as well if your SMSF is paying a certain kind of pension.

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Guide to SMSF administration, reporting and record-keeping

SMSFs provide members with a high degree of control over their retirement savings, but with that control comes responsibility. Here we look at the administrative, reporting and record-keeping obligations that trustees need to complete to ensure their fund complies with superannuation and taxation legislation.

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Choosing an SMSF service provider

Running your own self-managed super fund has many benefits. But unless you have a high degree of SMSF and investment knowledge, as well as plenty of time available to manage your fund, you’re likely to need some professional help. Here we look at the factors you’ll need to consider before you choose a provider.

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What on earth is an in-specie transfer?

In specie transfers (also known as off-market transfers) are transfers of assets in and out of super funds, rather than transfers of money. We take a look at the pros and cons of in specie transfers relating to SMSFs.

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The arm’s length rule for SMSFs

The concept of ‘arm’s length’ is familiar to businesses the world over. To ensure business transactions are conducted at commercial market values buyers and sellers must act independently, without colluding and without one party influencing the other. So how does this concept apply to your SMSF?

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What are the penalties for SMSF non-compliance?

It’s a rare person who enjoys paperwork. But for trustees of a self-managed super fund, it’s a necessary evil. Find out what penalties apply if your fund isn’t set up and managed to comply with superannuation and taxation legislation.

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RETIREMENT PLANNING

What retirees need to understand about property insurance

The bushfires in Australia have ravaged millions of hectares, left thousands of people homeless and killed millions (if not billions) of native animals. The devastation has left many retirees in bushfire-prone areas wondering what is an appropriate level of home and contents insurance.

Read more

Your simple guide to state Seniors Cards: How they can save you money

Everyone loves a bargain, but once they turn 60 many people forget to grab one of the best deals on offer – their state government’s Seniors Card.

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What concession cards are available for Seniors and Pensioners?

There are a range of concession cards that Australian seniors and pensioners may be eligible for. Depending on the card, you may be entitled to cheaper medicines and discounts on services such as public transport, council rates and power bills.

Read more

What retirees say they would have done differently

We asked 15 retirees, ‘If you knew when you were younger what you now know about retirement, what would you have done differently?’ Here’s what they said.

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How long you can expect to live, and what it means for your super

Life expectancy is a complex topic, so we’ve put together a straightforward guide to help explain the key concepts – enabling you to plan your retirement with a bit more confidence.

Read more

Healthy eating in your 70s and beyond

While older people often eat less than when they were younger, they actually have increased dietary requirements for a range of nutrients. This mismatch between food intake and nutritional requirements can potentially result in deficiencies and accelerate ageing and disease risk. Discover what nutrients you need to increase once you hit 70.

Read more

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How super works
Super for beginners
Super rules
Employers guide to super
Super contributions
Super and tax
Accessing super
Super news
Women and super
Super tips and strategies
How-to guides
Super quizzes
Superannuation Q&As
Superannuation glossary
Super funds
Best performing super funds
Super fund rankings
Best performing pension funds
Pension fund rankings
Super fund average returns
Super investing strategies
Comparing super funds
Choosing a super fund
Choosing an investment option
Super fund fees
Insurance and super
Super fund profiles
SMSFs
SMSFs for beginners
SMSF administration
SMSF checklists
SMSF compliance
SMSF investing
SMSF pensions
SMSF strategies
SMSF Q&As
Plan your retirement
Retirement planning for beginners
When should I retire?
How long will I live?
How much super do I need?
Will I get the Age Pension?
How much will I spend in retirement?
Financial advice
Retiring overseas
Preparing for retirement
Retirement planning strategies
Retirement calculators and reckoners
In retirement
Income in retirement
Super lump sums
Super pensions
Age Pension
Working in retirement
Life in retirement
Senior concessions and services
Aged care
Estate planning
Super death benefits
Compare super funds

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