May 2019 newsletter

Now that it has done the impossible by winning the election, will the Coalition do the improbable by keeping its pre-election promises to improve the quality of financial advice?

If you are wondering how recent rule changes have affected your super and retirement plans, here’s a quick guide to the key changes and when they commenced.

When you get to your 50s, you should be paying a lot more attention to your super savings. So you need to know all the rules about making contributions and withdrawing money from your account.

It was not that long ago that same-sex couples and families were treated differently to other couples and families for income tax and super law purposes.

In your 50s you’ve turned the corner and are heading into the final career stretch before retirement. So now’s the time to start paying closer interest to your super and ensuring you are set up to reach your retirement goals.

New research shows investing in a super fund with more women at the upper echelons could increase balances by as much as $55,000 at retirement.

Investments exist on a risk spectrum. The higher the return, the higher the risk. So, your comfort with different levels of risk is crucial in determining what kind of assets you can, and should, invest in.

Just because we may be compelled to have superannuation, is no reason to leave it to its fate. In fact, playing a role in how your super is invested is one of the key ways we can influence its outcome. Here we break down the key concepts to help you gain confidence with the investing side of super.

Uncertain about whether or not you can choose your own super fund? Check out our simple guide to the current fund choice rules.

As a member of a defined benefit super fund, how much you receive on retirement will depend on factors such as length of employment and your final salary.

SMSFs are increasing their allocation to international shares, with the Australian Taxation Office’s figures showing funds’ allocation to this asset class jumped to $6.18 billion last year, up from $1.8 billion in 2013.

Property investment is popular with SMSFs, so it’s important to understand what your fund can and can’t claim as investment property tax deductions.

The amount of super YOU need to retire will depend on your personal circumstances, financial resources both inside and outside super and your lifestyle. So before you set an arbitrary super target, block out the fearmongers and think about the big picture.

The impressive share market recovery since the end of March last year has boosted returns for all Lifecycle age cohorts during that period, but younger members with higher allocations to shares have enjoyed the best of bounce back.