Note: Since 1 July 2017, all eligible Australians under the age of 75 can claim tax deductions for personal super contributions, subject to the annual concessional contributions cap. Such a measure can assist Australians who may be partly self-employed and partly employed, or individuals who work for employers who ... Read more
Investment scams target males aged 50-plus
Every few years, research is published listing the typical investment scams and the unlucky targets of investment fraudsters. The most alarming trend is that investment fraud is becoming more serious and more organised, based on information published by the Australian Crime Intelligence Commission, and the main targets ... Read more
Retirement planning: Six dangers when seeking financial advice
I have been writing about, or working in or on the sidelines of the financial services industry for 30 years now, and the regulator and the advising industry are still, in 2017, grappling with how Australians make investment decisions and the influential role that advisers and financial organisations hold in ... Read more
Super health check for beginners: 10 tips for your 2017/2018 retirement planning
Note: This article is current for the 2017/2018 financial year.Near the start of each financial year, SuperGuide publishes an updated super checklist for beginner readers. More advanced checklists will follow in coming months. Use this list as a kick-start for your 2017/2018 super resolutions. You may not keep all ... Read more
Boost your spouse’s retirement kitty: 10 things you need to know
These days it’s rare for a government to be more generous about handing out benefits, but when it comes to helping boost your spouse’s super, that infrequent event is set to happen.From 1 July 2017, the maximum income threshold for the spouse contributions tax offset jumps from its current measly upper limit of ... Read more
Your 2017/2018 guide to non-concessional (after-tax) contributions
Note: This article explains the rules applicable to non-concessional contributions for the 2017/2018 year, and explains the rules applicable for the 2016/2017 year. You can also find information about the lower non-concessional cap, effective from 1 July 2017, in SuperGuide article New $100,000 cap: Cut to ... Read more
Cashing in on the co-contribution rules (2017/2018 year)
Note: This article explains the co-contribution rules for the 2017/2018 and 2016/2017 years (and later in the article, also for the 2015/2016, 2014/2015, 2013/2014, 2012/2013 and 2011/2012 years).The federal government is giving away money to anyone who makes a non-concessional (after-tax) contribution to their ... Read more
Do I have to be working to make super contributions?
The answer is no, if you’re under the age of 65. An Australian under the age of 65 can make super contributions whether they are working, rearing children, looking after a sick partner, recovering from illness or on an extended holiday.If you are aged 65 or over then you must satisfy a work test if you’re seeking ... Read more
I’m retired. Can I make super contributions?
Q: If I have retired from work and later on inherit a reasonable sum of cash, can I make a non-concessional contribution into my superannuation fund? OR is that only permitted while I am working, regardless of my age?A: For the benefit of other readers, I will first explain the meaning of a non-concessional ... Read more
Super contributions: Turning 65 part-way through the year
Note: Taking effect from 1 July 2017, the annual non-concessional contributions cap is $100,000, and the 3-year bring-forward cap is $300,000. For the 2016/2017 year, the annual after-tax contributions cap is $180,000 and the 3-year $540,000 bring-forward cap will remain until 30 June 2017,Q: I turn 65 in February ... Read more
Age Pension income test: Deeming rates and deeming thresholds
Note: This article explains the latest deeming rates and the deeming thresholds for financial investments under the Age Pension income test. The deeming thresholds have increased from 1 July 2017, but at the time of writing, the deeming rates remain unchanged. If you are seeking information about the latest increases ... Read more
Over-65s work test: How does it operate again?
Does 40 hours in any 30-day period include weekends or is it 6 x 5-day weeks? I read in a bank’s booklet on superannuation that it must be “at least 40 hours in a period of not more than 30 consecutive days during the financial year ….”. This seems to imply working beyond 30 days is not permitted. Is there a maximum ... Read more
