Retirees bullied and betrayed, Women and super, Financial advice, New Age Pension rates, Insurance in super
Highlights of the March 2019 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:
- BULLYING AND BETRAYAL OF RETIREES: As we prepare for the forthcoming Federal Election, Sean Corbett reminds us how Australian retirees have been repeatedly let down and demonised by politicians on all sides.
- FINANCIAL ADVICE: The Royal Commission uncovered advice horror stories and made strong recommendations about how the industry must improve. We look at the risks and benefits of financial advice, how to find a suitable adviser, how much financial advice costs, and how you can find free or low-cost advice. One of Kenneth Hayne’s recommendations was that non-independent advisers need to disclose their lack of independence. Daniel Brammall helps us to identify what makes a financial adviser independent, and we list 129 independent advisers who operate in Australia.
- AGE PENSION: The Age Pension rates increase on 20th March. Find out the latest rates and thresholds, or use our calculator to find out how much you could be eligible for. Age Pension expert Regan Welburn also provides handy case studies to illustrate how the Age Pension is assessed, and a step-by-step guide to applying for the Age Pension, avoiding the common mistakes, and getting it right the first time.
- INSURANCE AND SUPER: Have you considered your insurance needs lately? In a suite of articles we look at how insurance operates inside super, and investigate life insurance, TPD insurance and income protection insurance in depth. Learn about the pros, the cons and the strategies you can consider.
- WOMEN AND SUPER: Women have the odds stacked against them when saving for retirement. They earn less, have more time out of the workforce, and live longer. However women do have Barbara Drury on their side, with some super strategies for women at different stages of life.
- SMSF LUMP SUM WITHDRAWAL RULES: Penny Pryor details the rules and tax implications for withdrawing lump sums from SMSFs, provides case studies to illustrate how the rules work, and reminds us about what you should consider if you have started a pension or are claiming the Age Pension.
- INDUSTRY FUNDS VS RETAIL FUNDS: The pain from Hayne continues for retail funds. Recent statistics show they now lag behind industry funds in assets under management, customer satisfaction and investment performance.
- LATEST SUPER RETURNS: 2019 has had a strong start with median growth fund gains of 2.7% in February and 2.5% in January. Learn more in our performance articles at the bottom of the email.
2019 FEDERAL BUDGET SPECIAL
This year the Federal Budget will be announced a month earlier – on Tuesday 2nd April. We will provide insights into the announcements affecting super, tax and retirement planning. Watch out for a Budget special newsletter early on April 3rd.
FEATURES
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Women and super: How to beat the odds
When it comes to super, it’s still a man’s world. That means it’s up to women to even the score. We show you how.
How to benchmark your super fund
If you’re unhappy with your super fund’s performance, it’s getting easier to check how it stacks up against the best of the rest. We explain how.
SMSFs: What are the lump sum withdrawal rules?
Withdrawing a big pot of money from your super can be tempting, but strict rules apply. And then there’s tax.
What is a testamentary trust and does my Will need one?
Establishing a testamentary trust can have valuable estate planning benefits. With significant amounts due to be transferred via inheritances in the coming decades, it may be worth considering one.
FINANCIAL ADVICE
How to find a super financial adviser
Good advice can make an enormous difference to your financial health and wellbeing, which is why it’s worth taking these steps to find the right financial adviser for your needs.
Financial advice: What are the risks and benefits?
There is mounting evidence that financial advice can be good for your hip pocket as well as your general wellbeing, but you need to be vigilant.
How much does financial advice cost?
There’s a perception that financial advice is just for the wealthy. While the cost can be high, the amount you pay will depend on the complexity of the advice and where you get it.
Can I get free financial advice?
The best things in life are free, but is financial advice one of them? Find out the possibilities.
AGE PENSION
Age Pension rates (March 2024 to September 2024)
Age Pension rates increase on 20 March 2024. This article also explains how the Age Pension works, and includes the latest Age Pension rates for residents, non-residents, and the transitional Age Pension.
Age Pension calculator (March 2024 update)
Our Age Pension calculator gives you an estimate of your potential Age Pension entitlements for the period 20 September 2023 to 19 March 2024.
Age Pension assets test rules (from March 2024)
This article details the rules and limits of the Age Pension assets test (how much your savings and other assets are worth), which is one half of the means test (along with the income test) that determines how much Age Pension you could be eligible for.
Age Pension income test rules (from March 2024)
A common question for those nearing or in retirement is “How much can a pensioner earn before it affects the pension?”.
How do I apply for the Age Pension?
This article is a step-by-step guide to claiming the Age Pension and getting it right the first time so you can avoid any delays or frustration.
How does your super affect the Age Pension?
The amount you and your partner have in super can have a big impact on your Age Pension entitlements. We explain how.
INSURANCE AND SUPER
Insurance inside super: A definitive guide
If you have insurance inside super but you’re not sure how it works, it’s easy to take control once you learn the basics and how to assess your needs.
Life insurance through super: A definitive guide
Holding death cover through your super fund can be a costeffective way to protect your family and financial dependents and to help pay off your debts if you die.
TPD insurance through super: A definitive guide
TPD cover is a valuable benefit often provided as part of your insurance cover inside super. But there are important differences between funds, so ensure you check out the details.
Income protection insurance through super: A definitive guide
Income protection insurance through your super fund can be invaluable for paying the bills if you can’t work temporarily. But it’s important to understand exactly how these policies work.
LATEST SUPER RETURNS
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to February 2024
Super funds continued their winning streak in February on positive economic news, despite concerns that markets appear fully valued.
What are lifecycle super funds, and how do they perform?
Lifecycle funds are designed to reduce risk as you near retirement without sacrificing returns; recent research shows many do just that but you need to know what to look for.