Indexing strategy, Super fund league tables, SMSF Q&A, The psychology of investing, Inflation on the rise, Boosting super post retirement.
Highlights of the November 2021 edition of the SuperGuide Premium newsletter include:
- IF YOU CAN’T BEAT THEM, JOIN THEM: Indexing strategies that aim to match market returns are increasingly popular with super investors.
- SUPER AND PENSION FUND RANKINGS: Super investors enjoyed bumper returns last financial year, but some funds outpaced the pack.
- READERS SMSF QUESTIONS ANSWERED: This month we introduce our new series of Q&As on all aspects of super, beginning with SMSFs.
- MIND GAMES AND YOUR SUPER: Bad decisions can have long-term financial effects on your super and retirement plans. Here’s how to avoid them.
- INFLATION AND RETIREMENT: Inflation is on the rise, with potential impacts on retirement income. We count the ways.
- RETIRING NOT OUT: Contributing to super is more difficult once you retire, but not impossible. We explain your options.
HOW SUPER WORKS
Super news for November 2021
Cut-off age for bring-forward rule confirmed, Poor performing super funds still have sticky membership, SMSFs fail to beat the market, Superannuation portfolio holdings disclosure regulations finalised, new director IDs, Retiree living costs rise, calls for fairer PLS rate, APRA turns up the heat on high fees, billions in unpaid super, and Australia’s pension system up with the best.
Taking your super early due to ill health? 7 tips to help
Retiring early due to poor health can really have an impact on your retirement plans and finances, so here’s 7 tips on what to consider.
What are unrestricted and restricted non-preserved super benefits?
Your pot of retirement savings in super may actually be divided into several smaller pots, some of which can be withdrawn sooner than others.
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.
Divorce and superannuation: How it works
Super is an increasingly important marital asset and one that should not be overlooked when couples divorce.
SUPER FUNDS
Indexing options in your super fund: Pros and cons
Indexing is an increasingly popular investment strategy and many super funds offer it as an investment option, but how does it work and what are the benefits?
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.
Super funds of the year awards: Best super funds for 2024
UniSuper continued its award-winning run, winning Fund of the Year for the eighth time in a little over a decade at the recent SuperRatings awards night.
Pension funds of the year 2023–24: What makes a winner?
Innovation has been slow at the retirement end of superannuation, which makes it even more important to search for a pension fund that will make your retirement as smooth as possible. Awards aren’t everything, but they do put a spotlight on industry best practice.
UPDATED SUPER AND PENSION FUND QUARTILE RANKINGS
Super and pension fund performance: Where does your fund rank?
Now updated to 30 September 2023. 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?
Super funds
SMSFs
SMSF Q&A special (November 2021)
Graeme Colley, executive manager, SMSF technical and private wealth, SuperConcepts kindly answers readers SMSF questions.
What is a self-managed super fund (SMSF)?
Controlling your own financial destiny is an appealing prospect for many Australians, but it’s important to understand the costs as well as the benefits.
SMSF statistics: 1.1 million members with $869 billion in super
The size of the self-managed super fund sector continues to grow in terms of members and assets, at the expense of all but industry super funds.
SMSF setup guide: 9 steps you need to follow
SMSFs offer more control than other super funds, but strict rules apply. Follow our 9-step guide to ensure your fund complies with all your legal obligations from the outset.
What is the sole purpose test, and how does it work?
The new federal government recently announced it plans to legislate an objective for super. Until then, the sole purpose test is the light all super fund trustees must steer by.
How to wind up an SMSF
The decision to wind up an SMSF should not be taken lightly; there is process that must be followed and it can be time-consuming and costly.
RETIREMENT PLANNING
Mind over matter: The psychology of retirement planning
Rising inflation and volatile markets are forcing many of us to make important decisions about our finances, so it’s important guard against these common mental traps.
How inflation affects your retirement income
Worrying about your household budget is something we all do at times, but retirees can’t easily replenish their savings, so rising prices and inflation can represent a big challenge.
The small business CGT retirement exemption explained
There are two ways you can use the sale proceeds from a business to boost your super, and the CGT retirement exemption is one of them.
IN RETIREMENT
How to make super contributions after you’ve retired
Once you’re retired, making super contributions gets trickier. But it’s not impossible, so it’s worth learning which contributions remain available to you.
Can I return to work after I access my super?
Just because you’ve retired and collected your super, doesn’t mean you can’t go back to work if you want to. Here’s what you need to know.
What concession cards are available for seniors and pensioners?
Even if you aren’t eligible for the Age Pension, there are a variety of valuable concession and healthcare cards available, depending on your age, income and location.
Super strategies after losing your spouse: What are the rules?
Deciding whether to take your partner’s super death benefits as a lump sum, pension or a bit of both requires careful planning; the earlier the better.