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How super works
Compulsory superannuation has been around since 1992, but there is still a lot of confusion about its purpose and how it works. Our Super for beginners guide is designed to answer all the basic questions you have about superannuation. We also cover super’s rules for contributions, detail how they are taxed and when and how you can withdraw your retirement savings. Visit the sections below to learn the fundamentals about superannuation: Super for beginners Super rules Super contributions Super and tax Accessing super Super tips and strategies Super news Women and super How-to Super Guides Super quizzes Superannuation Q&As Superannuation glossary As a first step, the following are key articles that describe how super works.
Super rules
This section will help you understand the fundamentals about superannuation, whether you are a complete beginner or need a refresher. You’ll find details of the rules that apply for your age group, the special tax concessions that make super attractive, and the essentials on how the super system works.
Contributing to super
Making super contributions is one of the simplest ways to improve your final retirement balance and reduce your tax bill. Annual contribution caps (limits) put a lid on the amount you can contribute each financial year, but can be flexible if you’re able to use the carry forward or bring forward rules. Find out all you need to know to make the most of your contributions without falling foul of the rules here.
Accessing super
There are multiple ways that you can legally access your superannuation. These are known as conditions of release. People most commonly think of accessing super at retirement, but there are times some or all of your super balance may be withdrawn early, such as if you develop a terminal illness or are suffering severe financial hardship. You might also choose to release some of your voluntary savings to help with the purchase of your first home.
Super tips and strategies
When it comes to making the most of your super, knowing the rules is only part of the picture. Making savvy use of those rules with the right strategies can take you to the next level. These strategies, tips, and case studies can empower you to make the right decisions and wring out the full benefit of the super system.
Super news
Superannuation has become a regular part of the news coverage in recent years. This can be beneficial in that it can raise general awareness about super and remind many Australians that they should check in on their own super, and not forget to properly plan for their retirement. Often though news about super can be negative, when there are significant changes to the rules that forces people to learn the new rules and assess the implications for their existing retirement plans. A lot of angst and uncertainty can also be created when changes are only mooted – for example at election or budget time. Whatever the big issues are about super, SuperGuide will always cover them from an independent perspective, telling it like it is and never representing any particular political party or industry organisation. SuperGuide has only ever represented the best interests of everyday Australians to help you better plan for your retirement.
Special topics
This section covers: the employer’s guide to super – how to calculate and make contributions, deadlines and other obligations, tax deductions, choosing a super fund for employees, record-keeping, penalties, and checklists gender and relationship issues – including the issues women face with super due to lower average incomes, time out of the workforce, and living longer, as well as super and divorce and rules for same-sex couples super rules and opportunities if you are self-employed
Super funds
For most Australians super is likely to be their biggest investment outside the family home, so it is not something you can afford to set and forget. If you would like to know more about your super fund and how it rates against the best on offer, but don’t know where to start, we have put together a series of articles to help you do just that. We also have articles on choosing a fund or investment option, fees, insurance, investments and investing concepts to help you make the most of your super. Visit the sections below for more information on super funds: Best performing super funds Super fund rankings Best performing pension funds Pension fund rankings Super fund average returns Comparing super funds Choosing a super fund Choosing an investment option Insurance and super Super fund fees Super investing strategies Super fund profiles As a first step, the following are key articles that explore how super funds work.
Choosing a super fund
If you’re an employee, you’re eligible to choose the super fund that your employer pays your super guarantee (SG) into, provided you’re in one of the three categories below. You’re employed under a federal award. You’re employed under another award or workplace agreement that doesn’t require superannuation support. You’re not employed under an award or industrial agreement. This includes contractors who are primarily paid for their labour. Learn more about whether you can choose your super fund. If you are eligible to choose your super fund, there are five potential options (though not every option is available to everyone). Retail funds – These are funds run by financial institutions. They’re generally open to anyone. Industry funds – These funds are generally designed for people who work in a particular industry, but some industry funds will allow anyone to join. Public sector funds – These funds are generally only open to government employees. Corporate funds – These funds are usually only available to employees working for a specific employer. Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) – These are funds where you have more responsibility in terms of administration, compliance and investment decisions. There is a wide variety of super funds available in the…
Super investing strategies
In this section you can learn more about the investing side of superannuation. This includes learning the fundamentals about how investing works within super, understanding your risk profile and the investment options available to you, and perhaps considering other investment values that are important to you. We also cover several topics that are specific to those in retirement, and those with SMSFs. Be sure to also check out our SMSF investment section. Learn more about key super investment strategies in the following SuperGuide articles:
Best performing super funds
Being in a consistently high performing super fund is one of the key factors in growing your super balance over time. Members of consistently poor performers are at risk of having substantially lower super balances at retirement. The Productivity Commission review of superannuation produced an example of a 21-year-old on a $50,000 starting salary. If they joined a super fund that is consistently in the top quarter of funds rated by performance, they could expect to retire at 67 with a super balance of $1.1 million. If instead they joined one of the super funds that is consistently in the bottom quarter of funds, they would retire with $610,000 – 45% ($502,000) less. Returns are not the only measure of a good fund – fees, insurance offerings, member services and investment choice are also important. However, if your fund has a long track record of underperformance it could be time to switch to a product with a history of superior returns. When super performance tables are published in the media, generally only they only compare super investment options in a single risk category – ‘balanced’ or ‘growth’ – which generally means they have 60-80% invested in growth assets. SuperGuide publishes…
Best performing pension funds
According to the 10/30/60 Rule, 60% of your retirement income comes from the investment returns you achieve during your retirement. While this rule originated from a US study, the principle holds broadly true for Australian retirees and underlines how important it is to continue to earn a good investment return in your retirement years. During their working years, most Australians pick a balanced or growth super fund, with between 60% and 80% of their money invested in growth assets such as shares and property. However, as people near or reach retirement, capital preservation becomes an important consideration. At this age and stage of life it is generally advised to reduce the percentage of growth assets in your investment portfolio to reduce risk. This is to limit what is called sequencing risk, or the risk of a bad year early in retirement adversely impacting the total amount of income available to you over the course of your retirement. This is also the logic behind lifecycle super funds, which automatically reduce the percentage of growth assets in your account as you age. For example, lifecycle funds for people who were born in the 1990s on average have 88% of the money invested in growth…
Super fund profiles
SMSFs
As if superannuation wasn’t complex enough, when you have a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) you take on considerably more responsibility, and it’s essential therefore to have a comprehensive understanding of the current super and SMSF rules. In this section you will find detailed explanations of the SMSF rules and the responsibilities for SMSF trustees. SMSFs for beginners SMSF administration SMSF checklists SMSF compliance SMSF investment SMSF pensions SMSF strategies SMSF Q & As As a first step, the following are key articles that describe how SMSFs work.
SMSF for beginners
In this section you will gain an understanding of the basics of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs). We’ll take you through the key responsibilities in being a SMSF trustee, help you to evaluate if a SMSF is right for you, and give you an idea of how much it might cost to run a SMSF. You can also test your understanding of SMSF basics with our quiz.
SMSF admin and compliance
All Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) must have a trust deed, a document which sets out the governing rules of that particular SMSF. Trust deeds can vary from document to document, and can also be amended over time, so it is vital that you understand and abide by the rules governing your SMSF. In addition to the trust deed, SMSFs are subject to the provision of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993, which imposes legal obligations on how SMSFs must be operated. These laws and regulations may, in certain circumstances, take precedence over your trust deed, so a sound understanding of the rules is a prerequisite for any SMSF trustee. In this section you’ll learn how to comply with obligations such as: residency requirements, developing an investment strategy and ensuring that all investment decisions are consistent with it, considering member insurance needs, only accepting contributions from fund members, making super benefit payments only to members who have met a condition of release, monitoring total super balance and transfer caps, administration, reporting and record-keeping requirements, appointing a registered auditor, and lodging the fund’s annual return to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and paying tax, to name but a few compliance and administrative…
SMSF investing
People who run their own self-managed super fund (SMSF) often do so because of the control it gives them over their investments and investment strategy. With that control comes lot of responsibility. You need to understand the nature of the investments on offer, and how they fit into your overall investment strategy. It can also be instructive to see what other SMSFs are investing in. Then there is the legal requirement for SMSFs to have a documented investment strategy. This should satisfy the sole purpose test and be used to guide trustee decision-making. See also superannuation investment strategies and our section on risk.
SMSF pensions
Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) can pay whatever benefits are allowable by their governing rules (trust deed). Most typically, this allows SMSFs to pay benefits as either lump sums or pensions. In addition to the different types of payments that a SMSF can make, in this section you will learn about the process of starting a pension, transitioning from the accumulation phase into the pension phase, and all the steps that are required as a SMSF trustee to commence a pension. You will learn all about the importance of exempt current pension income (ECPI) and how to ensure that you maximise this valuable benefit. You may also need to be aware of the transfer balance cap, and how to navigate these complex rules. For those who have reached preservation age and would like to commence a pension while still retaining a connection to the workforce, a Transition-to-retirement (TTR) pension might be worth considering.
SMSF estate planning
Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) allow for a high level of flexibility in the management of a person’s superannuation benefits upon passing. Careful planning can allow your SMSF benefits (which are not automatically estate assets) to be passed onto those dependants who you wish to benefit, in the most efficient and tax effective way possible. In this section you will learn the key concepts behind robust estate planning for SMSF trustees, and how to take advantage of the greater control accorded to SMSFs in passing on wealth from an SMSF.
SMSF strategies
In this section you can learn about tips and strategies you can consider for your SMSF, including multigenerational SMSFs, how to make decisions at different life stages and what are your options when you would like to wind up your SMSF. Also covered are investing strategies such as assessing passive vs active strategies, rebalancing and which assets are popular with SMSFs.
SMSF checklists
In this section you will find a series of handy checklists to help make running your Self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) a breeze. Our checklists will help you write or review the fund’s investment strategy, start a pension or just make sure you have all the important calendar dates you need to stay on top of things. You may also benefit from our how-to guides and our step-by-step guides.
SMSF Q&As
SuperGuide covers all aspects of SMSFs and also provides answers to common SMSF Q&As. SuperGuide Premium members can also submit questions through our Support section. Please note that we can only provide general information, and cannot provide any advice about your personal situation. See also our Superannuation Q&As section.
Retirement planning
Planning for retirement can seem daunting but putting it off can cost you a personally fulfilling, financially secure retirement. Superguide’s range of retirement planning resources helps you to understand the key issues and provide you with valuable guidance on strategies that can improve your retirement income, including case studies. It’s never too early to start preparing for a stage of your life that could last more than three decades – a long time to regret missed opportunities. You may like to begin using the seven easy steps in how to plan for your retirement which include imagining what your dream retirement looks like and thinking about how long it may last, what it will cost, whether your savings are on track, and what you can do to close the gap. And if you need a little help tailoring strategies to your circumstances, take a look at our guide to seeking financial advice.
Getting started
In this section you can learn about the fundamentals of planning for your retirement. Whether you are an absolute beginner or want to refresh your understanding of the key concepts, you can discover articles that will help you understand better how to plan for retirement and what you need to consider.
Key issues to consider
When you’re planning your retirement there are many variables that need to be considered to ensure your foundations are solid. This section will walk you through the important aspects, including: What retirement could cost How long you might live for The importance of where you will live, and How inflation could affect your retirement income
Retirement planning strategies
In this section you can learn about the most critical retirement strategies you should consider when planning your retirement. There are tips and strategies to suit a range of age groups, whether you have many years left to save or need to get ready to retire in a hurry, including approaches that can help make your savings last the distance. You’ll also find planning ideas if you’re thinking of retiring overseas or own a business.
Case studies
Here you can find worked examples of retirement plans for a range of circumstances. These will help you see how different strategies can apply in the real world. There are also reflections from current retirees who share their lived experience and what they might have done differently.
Calculators
In this section you can discover some of the calculators and reckoners that SuperGuide have developed to make superannuation and retirement planning easier to understand. We also show you how to use some of the other retirement calculators available, review how reliable they are, and give you tips on how to choose one the right one for you. See also SuperGuide’s Investment Performance Reckoners.
Seeking financial advice
Australians are generally reluctant to seek professional financial advice, despite the financial landscape (including the retirement system) becoming increasingly complex. The right financial advice can help you to get the most out of your superannuation. Advice doesn’t have to be expensive, particularly if you have simple needs. Your super fund may even be able to offer you the help you require. It’s important to know whether any financial advice you receive is independent or not. Advisers are legally required to provide you with a financial services guide that will let you know this information. Independent financial advice can be broadly defined as advice that is impartial or unbiased. It is provided without any potential for a conflict of interest. The resources here explain the value of advice, how to access it, and what to avoid.
Preparing for retirement
It’s nearly time! After years of saving and (hopefully) planning, retirement is just around the corner. Here you can find strategies that could help you to give your super a last-minute boost and insight into the risks that could throw your plans off the rails – and what to do about them.
In retirement
Retirement is meant to be a reward for hard work, a time to kick back and do a bit of what you fancy. It’s all that, but it is also a time when many decisions and choices need to be made. SuperGuide’s retirement articles cover everything from taking your super as a lump sum or an income stream (also called a super pension) to what happens to your super when you die. We even have a handy calculator to help you estimate how long you can expect to live. Along the way, we also examine working in retirement, a guide to the Age Pension eligibility and payment rates and eligibility for concession cards for seniors and pensioners. And if the very thought of all these decisions makes your head spin, we have a guide to seeking independent financial advice. Set out below are the key topics in retirement: Super lump sums Super pensions Age Pension Working in retirement Life in retirement Seniors concessions and services Aged care Estate planning Super death benefits As a first step, the following are key articles that tackle the big issues in retirement.
Income from super
Converting your superannuation to a pension is an option if you have reached your preservation age and met a condition of release. Your preservation age is between 55 and 60, depending on your date of birth. Standard conditions of release for super pension withdrawals are: retirement, beginning a transition-to-retirement income stream, ceasing an employment arrangement after the age of 60, even if you get a job with a new employer, turning 65 years of age, becoming permanently incapacitated, being diagnosed with a terminal medical condition. Your dependants can also be entitled to access your super as a pension when you die if you have arranged for this to happen, though there are likely to be tax implications. There are six main types of super pension: Account-based pension: This is the most common type of pension. The pension is paid from a super account held in your name. Annuities: Annuity payments are purchased with a lump sum and enable fixed payments for the remainder of your life or for a defined period. The value of account-based pensions on the other hand can rise or fall depending on the market value of the underlying investments supporting them. Transition-to-retirement pension (TTR or TRIS):…
Age Pension
The Age Pension eligibility age in Australia is currently 66 years and 6 months, increasing to 67 from 1 July 2023. In addition to the age requirement, your eligibility for the Age Pension depends on you: Being able to satisfy the Age Pension assets test, Being able to satisfy the Age Pension income test, and Meeting Australian residency requirements. You will be eligible to receive either a full or part Age Pension provided your assets or income don’t exceed the thresholds of the respective tests, and you also satisfy both the age and Australian residency requirements. It’s important to understand that your super may be included in both your asset and income tests, and can therefore affect your potential Age Pension eligibility. It’s possible to earn up to earn up to $300 per fortnight from paid employment without this amount being included in your Age Pension income test. This is known as the work bonus. Age Pension rates for singles and couples (married or de facto) are adjusted very six months based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Male Total Average Weekly Earnings, and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index. See also our seniors concessions and services…
Work and other income
Retirement is a condition of release to access your super once you have reached your preservation age. Your preservation age is between 55 and 60, depending on your date of birth. Once you have made a written declaration to your super fund that you are officially retired, the contributions you can make into your super account are much more limited and depend on your age. However, it’s possible to return to work even if retirement was your condition of release. If you’re aged under 60, you can return to work provided you can prove that your intention to retire was genuine when you made it. For example, your personal circumstances may have changed since you retired. You may need to provide proof of these changed circumstances to the ATO or your super fund. However you won’t be able to access any further super benefits that you accumulate from that point in time until you meet another condition of release. You can still access what you had accumulated up to that date. A transition-to-retirement pension is also an option you can consider once you have reached preservation age. If you’re aged between 60 and 64 and retirement was your condition of…
Seniors concessions and services
When you retire there is bound to be a tighter focus on living within your means, even if you are comfortably well off. With bills to pay and increasing health care costs for many retirees, any discounts or rebates are always welcome. And with cheap travel and bargains on products and services on offer, what’s not to love? The good news is you don’t necessarily need to be on the Age Pension to qualify for some handy concessions. You may not even have to be fully retired.
Life in retirement
Advice about retirement planning is often reduced to financial targets and your superannuation account balance. And that’s a pity. While a degree of financial security is necessary to live well in retirement, it’s not sufficient. Retirees and experts alike point to the importance of your health, relationships, social connection and the pursuit of new skills and interests for a sense of wellbeing in retirement.
Estate planning
One of the rules of successful investing is to plan your exit well ahead of time to protect your profits. The same can be said about planning your finances for your final exit, otherwise known as estate planning. Estate planning covers how your financial assets should be distributed after your death. Because your super is not covered by your Will, careful consideration needs to be given to the nomination of beneficiaries, the tax implications, and the financial wellbeing of your spouse and other dependents after your death. Increasingly, an estate plan also details how you should be looked after later in life if you are then unable to make your own decisions.
Aged care
Perhaps it’s because we would rather not think about it, but one of the most overlooked aspects of retirement planning is aged care. Not just the costs, although these can be significant, but decisions around where and how we want to spend our final years. Aged care encompasses home support, home care and residential care. While it’s impossible to know exactly what our care needs will be in future, it’s important to understand your options and potential costs and make your wishes known to your family. As decisions about aged care often need to be made quickly after an accident or illness, a bit of advance planning will make the process easier for all concerned.
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