Super & Funds
SUPER
Downsizing may not be the right answer
John Collett Baby boomers looking to fund their retirement by downsizing the family home could be clutching at straws.
A million in the super fund won't be enough for retirement
John Collett While the growth in the projected pool of superannuation savings is impressive, it belies the harsh reality facing those not far off retirement. Increasing life spans, the effect of the GFC on superannuation accounts and the fact that the superannuation guarantee started only in 1992 is leaving older workers underfunded.
SELF-EMPLOYED SUPER TRAPS
Don't let those contributions take you down
Max Newnham There are very strict tests when it comes to deciding whether a person is a true contractor or an employee.
SUPER
Regulation called for to oversee SMSFs
John Collett ASIC and the new government need to consider bringing property spruikers who recommend self-managed super funds inside the licensing net.
Superannuation
Most Australians don't expect a super retirement
Madeleine Heffernan Most Australians don't believe they will have enough retirement savings and say superannuation funds are not transparent enough on fees and charges, a survey has found.
SUPER
Big country makes size count
Penny Pryor The 15 largest Australian superannuation funds have recently moved up the league tables.
INTELLIGANT INVESTOR
Time for Coalition to walk the pro-super talk
Richard Livingston Tony Abbott said the Coalition wouldn't make any "negative unexpected changes" to superannuation. Now they're in government we'll get the chance to see what he meant.
INSIGHT
Asset allocation can be the decider in super funds
Clancy Yeates There's a lot to consider when picking a super fund. Perhaps the most important factor is how your money is spread out.
SAGGING SUPER
Bleak future for funds
Katherine Jimenez Former Future Fund chairman David Murray says super funds will be in the doldrums for the next few years.
SUPER
CSIRO, unis look to create a golden age
John Collett Serious intellectual firepower is being brought to bear on the problem of Australia's ageing population.
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See how your investments have done with Money's weekly Morningstar tables
SUPER
Kiwis face hurdles in pursuit of lost funds
John Collett New Zealanders are believed to be the owners of perhaps up to a quarter of the Australia's $18 billion in ''lost'' super. And it's very hard for them to get it back.
SUPER
First home enticer is simple and super
David Potts Why can't first home buyers use some of their superannuation as a deposit to buy a home?
SUPER
Insurance is a risk when doing it yourself
John Collett The SMSF industry is pushing the virtues of managing your own super fund. And the message appears to be hitting home.
Superannuation
Assets ride rally to records
CLANCY YEATES Australia's pool of retirement savings has overtaken the total value of Australian bank deposits.
SELF-MANAGED FUNDS
Make super borrowing safe as houses
John Kavanagh The SMSF borrowing market is small but starting to grow fast as trustees seek the security of property
SUPER
Playing catch-up is hard - but worth it
John Collett Salary sacrificing to super is still the best way to help make up for lost time.
SUPER
Playing politics with retirement savings
John Collett The Coalition says Labor is attacking the retirement savings of the better off. But what are the two sides proposing?
SUPER
Super fires up with equities
John Collett Twenty-one years after the start of compulsory superannuation, the system is going strong, with returns hitting pre-GFC levels.
SUPER
In-house funds yield happiest returns
John Collett Superannuation funds run by companies for their employees, both private and public sector, are among the best performers over the long term.
Uncertainty looms over uni's staff pensions
UniSuper members have much to consider before finalising their retirement plans, Daryl Dixon says.
Populism ignores the need for real super reform
Opinion Labor and the Coalition's plan to bolster military pensions is short-sighted and deeply flawed, Andrew Podger argues.
SUPER SAFETY
Managing things right makes a super difference
Penny Pryor As the GFC showed, when you retire makes a big difference to what you retire with - and it's something that not enough people pay attention to.
SUPER
It pays to be informed with credit cards
John Collett Students and young adults with only small incomes would do well to avoid credit cards. It might be better to opt for a debit card.
SUPER SAFETY
Five simple steps to safer super savings
MAX NEWNHAM There are five principles of investing that can reduce the impact of future market crashes and make your superannuation investment safer.
SUPER
Beware SMSF spruikers
John Collett The growth of SMSFs means more investors' with a love of property could fall into the hands of unscrupulous real estate promoters.
SUPER
A little early sacrifice goes a long way
John Collett Most people today believe they do not have enough super to afford a comfortable retirement.
SUPERANNUATION
Focus on details to boost your super
Mark Bouris Fine tuning superannuation savings can lead to a bigger nest egg.