January 2022 newsletter

While a host of new entrants made the top 10 in 2024, over 10 years the top performers are remarkably stable and a much better indicator of long-term excellence.

After a nail-biting start to the year, super funds are on track for another cracking return of about 9% for the 2025 financial year, after the median Growth fund was up 2.7% in May and markets continuing to rise in June.

Super funds went above and beyond in 2024, with the median Growth fund up 11.4% and even the most conservative investment options performing strongly.

In these reckoners you can view the median super fund returns for 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 years across five different investment options for the last 10 calendar years and 9 financial years.

An easy way to determine if you believe your super fund is good value, is to assess the cost of your super fund against the average costs for the different types of super funds available.

Super fund returns may grab the limelight, but even small differences in fees can make a big difference to your retirement balance in the long run.

Choosing an excellent super fund can make a big difference to your retirement outcomes. The first step is an understanding of the five broad categories of funds on offer.

We’ve done the digging to help you make the most of what your super fund has to offer.Australia’s biggest super funds are getting even bigger, thanks to a spate of mergers and organic growth.

Default MySuper funds have been undergoing a makeover in recent years, with performance under the microscope and fees falling.

After another wild year on investment markets, the summer break is a good time to review your SMSF and resolve to make it fit for whatever 2025 may bring.

There are decisions to make and steps to take before a fund member can start withdrawing retirement income from their super. Here’s what trustees need to know.

If you want to commute (roll back) some or part of a super pension, or combine multiple pensions, you need to follow strict rules.

Now that SMSFs can have six members instead of four, here’s a refresher on the process involved in adding new members and some of the issues to weigh up.

There’s a lot to think about in the run-up to retirement, from where your income will come from to where you’ll live, but answering these questions should help you prepare.

Aakash Mehta answers readers questions about account-based super pensions and when it’s appropriate to start one.

Now updated with part 2 (if you are moving to a lifestyle village) and part 3 (if you are not purchasing a new home straight away).

Once you’ve blown out the candles on your 60th birthday cake, retirement beckons. Or does it? For many Australians, the path to retirement has twists and turns they never imagined.