Coronavirus and super, Age Pension rates, Preparing for retirement, Constructing a Portfolio in Retirement, Longevity
Highlights of the March 2020 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:
- CORONAVIRUS AND SUPER: Markets have plunged recently as the world gets to grips with the Coronavirus, and many Australians are concerned about how their super and retirement will be affected. In a series of articles we go beyond the headlines to help you think about how it may impact your super balance and planning in retirement.
- NEW AGE PENSION RATES: Age Pension rates rise from March 20th, as do the thresholds for the assets and income tests. The government has also announced reductions to the deeming rates to reflect the recent drop in interest rates.
- PREPARING FOR RETIREMENT: We asked 16 independent financial advisers to give their tips for preparing for retirement. Watch the video for some pointers on what to consider.
- CREATING A PORTFOLIO IN RETIREMENT: Barbara Drury provides some helpful tips on how to approach building a retirement portfolio. In a separate article we analyse exclusive data on how SMSF retirees invest.
- LIFE EXPECTANCY AND LONGEVITY: While life expectancy looks at the quantity, longevity is all about the quality. David Williams talks us through the limitations of the current life expectancy tools and tells us what the key factors in longevity are. In a separate article Joanna Webber shares with us some secrets to living longer.
- CORONAVIRUS QUESTIONS: The impact of the Coronavirus has created a great deal of uncertainty, caused widespread disruption around the world, heavy sharemarket falls, and is a very dynamic situation. If you are concerned about how this impacts you personally, we encourage you to get financial advice. We will also be adapting our coverage to try to answer the big questions you may have about the impact of the Coronavirus to your retirement planning. If you would like to send us a question please do so. Please note that we can only consider questions that are general in nature. We also cannot answer questions individually, but we will do our best to publish as many Q&As as possible.
CORONAVIRUS AND SUPER
Webinar: SuperGuide members Q&A: December 2026
In this webinar super expert Garth McNally answers recent questions from SuperGuide members.
Reducing tax on capital gains with super contributions
If you’ve made a capital gain this year, the tax office is knocking at the door. A personal tax-deductible super contribution could keep them at bay.
Carry-forward super contributions explained (2026–27)
Have unused concessional cap from the past five years? How carry-forward (catch-up) contributions work, who’s eligible and how to find your unused amount.
Transfer balance cap (TBC) for super pensions: How it works
The transfer balance cap limits the amount of your super savings you can invest in a tax-free pension for retirement.
November 2026 Retirement planner newsletter
How to start a super pension: A step-by-step guide, What lifecycle super funds can teach us about investment risk around retirement, What different types of financial advice should I consider?, Common ‘myth-conceptions’ about retirement income, How long you can expect to live and what it means for your super
How much super do you need to set up an SMSF?
There’s no official minimum balance for an SMSF, but your balance affects what you pay, how your fund performs and how diversified it can be.
Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): How it works
Low-income earners may be eligible to reduce their tax bill by as much as $700, without lifting a finger. Check our guide to who’s eligible and for how much.
Non-concessional super contributions guide (2026–27)
Making a personal contribution into your super can be a great way to boost your retirement nest egg and enjoy the benefits of the super system.
Division 296 super tax explained
The tax on super balances over $3 million is now law. Find out who it affects, how it’s calculated and what it could cost you.
Downsizer super contributions: Rules and eligibility
Downsizer contributions can be a great way to boost your super without falling foul of many of the rules affecting other super contributions.
Bring-forward rule: How to make large super contributions
Using the bring-forward rule is a great way to put a larger contribution into your super account in a single year. Here’s what you need to know.
Super recontribution strategy: Rules, tax and examples
Find out how a recontribution strategy can decrease tax for your beneficiaries and help you and your spouse share super balances more evenly.
ATO SMSF supervisory levy: Cost and guidelines
In a world of ever-increasing prices, the ATO’s annual SMSF supervisory levy has been unchanged for more than a decade, but an increase is on the way.
Preservation age: What it means for accessing your super
Preservation age is now 60 for everyone. Here’s what reaching it lets you do with your super, and the extra condition you’ll usually need to meet first.
How much does an SMSF cost to set up and run?
Setting up an SMSF involves upfront fees, ongoing expenses and a commitment of your time. Understand the costs before deciding whether to start your own fund.
Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO): How it works
The Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO) pays up to $500 a year into the super of people earning $37,000 or less, refunding the tax on their contributions. From 1 July 2027 the limits rise to $45,000 and $810.
What lifecycle super funds can teach us about investment risk around retirement
Lifecycle super funds start cutting growth assets at about 50 and keep going after 65. Here’s what APRA’s June 2026 figures show they hold through your 50s and 60s, and what changes when your pension starts.
What lifecycle super funds can teach younger members about investment risk
The professionals who design super defaults for 25-year-olds put a median 90% in growth assets, against 76% in a typical single strategy default, and over the past decade that gap was worth almost 1 percentage point a year.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to September 2026
Super funds dipped in September, with the median Growth fund down 0.4% as shares and bonds fell, but a weaker Australian dollar helped limit the loss.
AGE PENSION
Age Pension rates (from 20 September 2026)
Age Pension rates are rising again, but how much you actually get depends on your assets and income. Check the latest rates and figures.
Age Pension assets test rules (from September 2026)
Age Pension assets test limits change three times a year, but your family home is never counted. Check the latest limits and what else is included.
Age Pension income test rules (from September 2026)
A common question for those nearing or in retirement is “How much can a pensioner earn before it affects the pension?”.
Deeming rates and thresholds (from 20 September 2026)
Current deeming rates and thresholds for the Age Pension income test. See exactly how your assets are assessed.
Age Pension calculator (September 2026 update)
Our Age Pension calculator gives you an estimate of your potential Age Pension entitlements based on your situation, assets and income.
How your super affects your Age Pension entitlements
The amount of Age Pension you are eligible to receive in retirement is means tested, with super among the assets included. This is how it’s assessed.
SUPERANNUATION
Super news for March 2020
Pensioners, veterans, other income support recipients and concession card holders will receive a one-off payment of $750 as part of the Government’s $17.6 billion plan to prevent the economy sliding into recession following the coronavirus pandemic.
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Helping Australians reach their retirement goals since 2008 SuperGuide provides independent, reliable guidance to help Australians build their super, understand the rules and make confident decisions for their retirement. About SuperGuide With hundreds of clear fact-checked articles, checklists and video guides, we are the comprehensive go-to resource on superannuation, SMSFs and retirement. Our mission is […]
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SMSFs
Webinar: SuperGuide members Q&A: December 2026
In this webinar super expert Garth McNally answers recent questions from SuperGuide members.
Reducing tax on capital gains with super contributions
If you’ve made a capital gain this year, the tax office is knocking at the door. A personal tax-deductible super contribution could keep them at bay.
Carry-forward super contributions explained (2026–27)
Have unused concessional cap from the past five years? How carry-forward (catch-up) contributions work, who’s eligible and how to find your unused amount.
Transfer balance cap (TBC) for super pensions: How it works
The transfer balance cap limits the amount of your super savings you can invest in a tax-free pension for retirement.
November 2026 Retirement planner newsletter
How to start a super pension: A step-by-step guide, What lifecycle super funds can teach us about investment risk around retirement, What different types of financial advice should I consider?, Common ‘myth-conceptions’ about retirement income, How long you can expect to live and what it means for your super
How much super do you need to set up an SMSF?
There’s no official minimum balance for an SMSF, but your balance affects what you pay, how your fund performs and how diversified it can be.
Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): How it works
Low-income earners may be eligible to reduce their tax bill by as much as $700, without lifting a finger. Check our guide to who’s eligible and for how much.
Non-concessional super contributions guide (2026–27)
Making a personal contribution into your super can be a great way to boost your retirement nest egg and enjoy the benefits of the super system.
Division 296 super tax explained
The tax on super balances over $3 million is now law. Find out who it affects, how it’s calculated and what it could cost you.
Downsizer super contributions: Rules and eligibility
Downsizer contributions can be a great way to boost your super without falling foul of many of the rules affecting other super contributions.
Bring-forward rule: How to make large super contributions
Using the bring-forward rule is a great way to put a larger contribution into your super account in a single year. Here’s what you need to know.
Super recontribution strategy: Rules, tax and examples
Find out how a recontribution strategy can decrease tax for your beneficiaries and help you and your spouse share super balances more evenly.
ATO SMSF supervisory levy: Cost and guidelines
In a world of ever-increasing prices, the ATO’s annual SMSF supervisory levy has been unchanged for more than a decade, but an increase is on the way.
Preservation age: What it means for accessing your super
Preservation age is now 60 for everyone. Here’s what reaching it lets you do with your super, and the extra condition you’ll usually need to meet first.
How much does an SMSF cost to set up and run?
Setting up an SMSF involves upfront fees, ongoing expenses and a commitment of your time. Understand the costs before deciding whether to start your own fund.
Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO): How it works
The Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO) pays up to $500 a year into the super of people earning $37,000 or less, refunding the tax on their contributions. From 1 July 2027 the limits rise to $45,000 and $810.
What lifecycle super funds can teach us about investment risk around retirement
Lifecycle super funds start cutting growth assets at about 50 and keep going after 65. Here’s what APRA’s June 2026 figures show they hold through your 50s and 60s, and what changes when your pension starts.
What lifecycle super funds can teach younger members about investment risk
The professionals who design super defaults for 25-year-olds put a median 90% in growth assets, against 76% in a typical single strategy default, and over the past decade that gap was worth almost 1 percentage point a year.
What laws do SMSFs need to adhere to?
Even if you outsource many of your fund’s administrative tasks, SMSF trustees still need to stay on top of super laws to avoid potentially large fines.
Exempt current pension income (ECPI) explained for SMSFs
Understanding the rules around ECPI can help reduce tax and save costs when fund members move into retirement phase.
Asset valuation guidelines for SMSFs
End of financial year asset valuations are routine for SMSF trustees, but they will assume even more importance with the introduction of Division 296 tax.
RETIREMENT PLANNING
Financial advisers give tips on preparing for retirement
Preparing for retirement can be daunting for many Australians. In this video members of the Profession of Independent Financial Advisers help you understand the important things to consider.
The taper trap: Super, the Age Pension and the ‘sweet spot’
Retirees with more super can end up with less income than someone on the full Age Pension, thanks to the assets test. Here’s how the taper trap works, how big the gap really is, and why a smaller balance is rarely the answer.
What is the value of financial advice when it comes to your retirement?
It’s easy to put off getting financial advice when your focus is on paying the monthly bills, but delaying or not getting advice can have huge financial and personal costs down the track.
What is an investment-linked lifetime income stream?
It’s been a long time coming, but super funds are beginning to offer more flexible pension products offering income for life.
IN RETIREMENT
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Worried about your retirement savings? 9 steps that can help
Worrying about whether your retirement savings will be enough is normal, but there are some easy steps you can take to ensure you’re as prepared as you can be for retirement.
What is the cost of living in retirement in Australia?
One of the challenges of retirement planning is working out how much income you will need to live the good life. Here are some tips to get you started.
Secrets to living longer
We’re starting families later, retiring later and living longer than ever before. But what do older Australians think living longer might look like?
IMPORTANT: All information on SuperGuide is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether any information on SuperGuide is appropriate to you before acting on it. If SuperGuide refers to a financial product you should obtain the relevant product disclosure statement (PDS) or seek personal financial advice before making any investment decisions. Superguide Pty Ltd ATF Superguide Unit Trust as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Independent Financial Advisers Australia, AFSL 464629.