Super and pension fund rankings, Super rules for all ages, Super tips for EOFY, SMSF Q&As with the ATO, Looking beyond dividends for income, ‘Safe’ pension withdrawal rates
Highlights of the May 2020 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:
- SUPER FUND RETURNS FOR APRIL: After a dismal February and March, super fund returns staged a partial rebound in April. While funds are still on course for a negative return this financial year, the damage may not be as bad as many feared.
- TOP SUPER AND PENSION FUNDS: Have you been wondering how your super is doing compared with other funds? Well now you can find out thanks to our fund rankings by quartile performance over various time frames.
- ACT YOUR AGE: The way you interact with your super will depend in part on your age and stage of life. So we have pulled together the rules that apply to you each decade from your teens to your 70s, and how to make the most of them.
- EOFY SUPER TIPS: It’s been an extraordinary year, leaving some people with savings to invest and others with a cash shortfall to cover. So this year it’s more important than ever to do a super and tax stocktake ahead of June 30.
- SMSF Q&As WITH THE ATO: Dana Fleming, Assistant Commissioner of the SMSF Segment at the ATO answers questions from SuperGuide readers about COVID-19 issues, including early release of super process, providing rental concessions for tenants and the change to the minimum pension drawdown rates.
- THE SEARCH FOR INCOME: First it was record-low interest rates. Now the big banks and other companies are cutting dividends. Where can investors turn for income? We uncover some alternatives.
- WHAT IS A SAFE PENSION WITHDRAWAL RATE: The government has temporarily halved minimum pension withdrawal rates in response to the impact of the coronavirus on super pension account balances. But are our minimum withdrawal rates sustainable? We cover the debate over ‘safe’ withdrawal rates.
FUND PERFORMANCE
How our super and pension fund rankings work
Have you ever looked at your super fund’s investment returns and wondered how your fund compares with similar funds? Is it a consistently high performer or an inveterate underachiever?
Best performing super funds: All Growth category (96–100%)
In this article you can discover the top 10 performing All Growth super funds over 1 year and 10 years to 31 December 2025. All Growth funds have 96-100% invested in growth assets.
Best performing pension funds: Balanced category (41–60%)
In this article you can discover the top 10 performing Balanced pension funds over 1 year and 10 years to 31 December 2025. Balanced funds have 41-60% invested in growth assets.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to April 2026
Super funds bounced back in April despite ongoing volatility and are on course for another positive financial year.
Lifecycle super funds: What they are and how 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.
SUPER RULES BY AGE
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In your 50s or younger? The super rules that apply to you
When you reach your 50s, it’s time to get serious about your super, so here’s the key super rules for your age group.
In your 60s? The super rules that apply to you
When you reach your 60s, the rules around making contributions and withdrawals from super start to change, so it’s important to know what’s what.
In your 70s? The super rules that apply to you
If you’re still adding to your retirement savings in your 70s, it’s important to know the super rules, as making contributions becomes tougher after age 75.
SUPERANNUATION
EOFY super checklist: 8 smart moves before 30 June
As 30 June approaches, it’s time to make the most of your annual super contribution limits.
Super news for May 2020
Access to early super resumes, ASIC defers mortgage broker reforms, Royal Commission calls for submissions on COVID-19, ASIC warns against day trading, SMSF annual returns deferred, Older Australians see silver lining.
Which super funds accept transfers from KiwiSaver accounts?
If you have savings in a KiwiSaver account, you can voluntarily transfer them to an Australian super fund under the provisions of a Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability scheme that was introduced on 1 July 2013.
How do I transfer a UK pension to an Australian super fund?
It can make sense to bring your UK pension funds home to Australia, but the process is far from straightforward. We explain how it’s done.
SMSFs
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What SMSF trustees need to know about rebalancing
It’s been a wild ride on investment markets over the past 12 months, so if you haven’t already done so this could be a good time to review your investment allocations.
Market volatility and super: How to resist the itch to switch
You’ve probably heard the saying that successful investing is about time in the market, not timing the market. It’s easier said than done when markets are volatile, but it’s worth holding your nerve in the long run.
What is a core and satellite investment strategy?
Many SMSF trustees use this simple approach to help create a diversified investment portfolio.
Do SMSFs rely too heavily on bank shares for dividend income?
Interest rates are finally on the way down, raising concerns about bank profits and dividend payments. Should SMSF investors be worried?
IN RETIREMENT
Retirement income rules of thumb: Do they measure up?
Working out how much income you will need in retirement is no easy task, but some simple short cuts may provide an estimate to start the planning process.
Are pension withdrawal rates safe? Understanding drawdowns and spending rules
Retirees often regard the government-mandated minimum withdrawal rates for their super pension as a default maximum, so how are these rates set and should you consider withdrawing more?
Working in retirement: Busting the age barrier
The rising cost of living and uncertain market outlook are prompting more people to work into their 60s and 70s, despite lingering age discrimination.
Smashing senior stereotypes
As people live longer, mature age is being redefined. Far from viewing retirement as the final curtain call, a growing number of retirees see the milestone as the start of something new. It’s a chance to explore the world, pursue an adventure, learn new skills, graduate from university and celebrate the best of a whole new life stage.
