Super & Funds
SUPER & FUNDS
Most super funds end the financial year barely positive
John Collett The year to June 30 has been one of the most volatile for superannuation account balances since the global financial crisis.
ELECTION 2016
Super reforms thrown into doubt
John Collett Proposals to reform the superannuation system are in doubt.
SMSF MASTERCLASS
DIY super needs strategy
Sam Henderson If you're going to mange your own superannuation, a written investment strategy is an essential element to your retirement success.
ASSET CHECK
Disappointing end to year
Daryl Dixon What a difference just a week has made to the 2015-16 financial year superannuation fund returns.
SUPER & FUNDS
Lost super mountain shrinks but still a way to go
John Collett Coalition and Labor governments have been serious about making inroads into reducing the mountain of "lost" money sitting in super accounts.
SMSF MASTERCLASS
Engage with your super this financial year
Sam Henderson Let's be honest, the new financial year is meaningless to most of us. But it's also an ideal time to start a self-managed super fund.
EXCLUSIVE
Scott Morrison softens super reform
Noel Whittaker EXCLUSIVE: Treasurer Scott Morrison has promised to remove some of the retrospective aspects of the proposal in last month's budget to limit contributions to superannuation.
ASSET CHECK
Super strategies for 2017
Daryl Dixon ​Investors have one year to restructure their superannuation strategies before the harsher taxation regime applies from July 1, 2017.
SUPER & FUNDS
Britons likely to lose, whatever the vote
John Collett By this Friday afternoon, local time, we will know the outcome of the "Brexit" referendum in the United Kingdom.
SMSF MASTERCLASS
Buying property for your SMSF? Not so fast
Sam Henderson Many investors are still unaware that it's possible to buy investment property in your super fund. You will need a self-managed super fund (SMSF) as the retail, industry or corporate funds only provide exposure to commercial property investments that are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, such as Westfield or Stockland shares.
ASSET CHECK
Employer super changes needed
Daryl Dixon Employers will need to retool their packages for high-income employees once the changes to superannuation take effect.
ELECTION 2016
The election outcome and your finances
Leo D'Angelo Fisher That unsettling prickling sensation many of you will be feeling right now is just your hip-pocket nerve reacting as July 2 nears.
Fraser's super review fizzles
Sally Rose The non-profit superannuation lobby's governance review, led by Bernie Fraser, has stalled and is set to sink without a trace if Labor wins the federal election.
SUPER & FUNDS
High satisfaction levels with members of industry funds
John Collett Are scandals at the banks' wealth management arms at least partly behind the poorer satisfaction levels of members of bank-run "retail" super funds than those of industry funds?
SMSF MASTERCLASS
DIY super is not for gambling
Sam Henderson How to do asset allocation for your self-managed super fund.
Consider alternatives to super
Daryl Dixon Funding a comfortable retirement is about to become more difficult and in many cases necessitate a change of plans.
SUPER & FUNDS
Broader horizons would benefit DIY fund trustees
John Collett If you have your own super fund with a strong Australian shares bias in your portfolio, you won't have been doing that well.
The superannuation change that has been overlooked
John Collett One thing seems to have been overlooked in the heated debate this week about the government's proposed superannuation changes:
SUPER
Super reform could force property buyers to forfeit deposits
Noel Whittaker In last month's budget. the Coalition made radical changes to our superannuation system. It was a mixed bag, with some of the ideas innovative and welcome, some controversial and one horrific. In the interests of balance, let's look at them one by one.
Labor attack ad targets super changes
Tom McIlroy Labor has moved to capitalise on discontent in Coalition ranks about planned changes to superannuation, as Treasurer Scott Morrison ruled out any winding back of controversial budget measures on Thursday.
ASSET CHECK
Changes ahead for defined benefit members
Daryl Dixon Defined benefit fund members face the prospect of major changes to taxation, with two proposals to have the biggest impact.
SMSF MASTERCLASS
No need to go it alone with self-managed super fund
Sam Henderson If you think obtaining professional advice is expensive, remember the cost of amateur advice could be astronomical.
BOURIS ON MONEY
It's what you do with super that counts
Mark Bouris Don't leave it too late to build a retirement plan.
Vision Super boss mad at budget changes
Sally Rose Changes to super in the budget will discourage average workers from putting money away for the long term.
New app to help young into SMSFs
Sally Rose Superfund Partners and Elston have partnered to launch Superstash, a mobile app to convert young couples to SMSFs.
SUPER & FUNDS
Super funds are innovating for the benefit of members
John Collett Most people don't think about their super until they hit their late 40s or early 50s. It's usually not until then that they take the first close look at their super.
NOEL WHITTAKER
The benefits of splitting super with your spouse
Noel Whittaker Superannuation will be under continual attack, no matter which party wins the next election.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Should we start a self-managed super fund?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
SUPER & FUNDS
DIY super investment for those who can't be bothered
John Collett Do you like the idea of running your own super fund, but can't be bothered?
First State Super eyes growth after winning StatePlus bid
Sally Rose First State Super, one of Australia's largest non-profit superannuation funds, has paid around $1 billion for StatePlus.