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
![Federal Greens MP Adam Bandt, pictured here with wife Claudia Perkins and their daughter Wren, could be a key player in ...](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/u/d/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpynll.png/1467688566070.jpg)
John Collett Proposals to reform the superannuation system are in doubt.
SMSF MASTERCLASS
DIY super needs strategy
![Like chess, a self-managed super fund is a game of skill and strategy.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/b/p/g/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpwr3i.png/1467697426760.jpg)
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
![Super funds with a higher allocation to unlisted assets have fared better during the recent sharemarket turmoil.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/8/r/3/2/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpuzpj.png/1467240182294.jpg)
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](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/x/6/v/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpr3dw.png/1467861238708.jpg)
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
![The start of a new financial year is a good time to think about your superannuation.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/y/g/0/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpshsz.png/1466985887826.jpg)
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
![Scott Morrison has promised to protect self-managed super fund trustees who bought property prior to budget night.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/9/i/c/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpp9ax.png/1466930983672.jpg)
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
![Superannuation will be less attractive than paying off the mortgage for younger taxpayers.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/a/e/1/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpp8bu.png/1466740778044.png)
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
![<P>](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/x/6/v/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpnbev.png/1467861238708.jpg)
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
![Glut: In the next two years there is a forecast 82,000 units set to hit the market in Sydney, with Melbourne and ...](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/l/8/l/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpm0yv.png/1466242559784.jpg)
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
![Universities are among the employers that will need to rethink salary packages.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/o/e/s/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gplei6.png/1466131065569.jpg)
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
![The outcome of the election could have a big effect on your hip pocket.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/o/g/k/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpkgo2.png/1467595420909.jpg)
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
![Bernie Fraser has delayed his report into governance at non-profit super funds until after the federal election.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/0/e/s/y/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpdof1.png/1465541792896.jpg)
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
![<P>](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/x/6/v/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpf8vt.png/1467861238708.jpg)
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
![Fortunes were made – and lost – in the speculation of the dotcom boom.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/f/6/i/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpf5iq.png/1465465778819.jpg)
Sam Henderson How to do asset allocation for your self-managed super fund.
Consider alternatives to super
![Negative gearing may become more appealing than superannuation.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/7/s/d/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpej1x.png/1467874819926.jpg)
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
![<P>](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/x/6/v/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpb29u.png/1467861238708.jpg)
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
![Janelle Taniane is putting more money into her super now that she has gone back to full-time work.
18th May 2016.
Photo: ...](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/y/j/1/b/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp8ug0.png/1465039343759.jpg)
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
![SMSF owners may be in breach of contract if they've bought a property but can't transfer the money under the $500,000 ...](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/g/x/1/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gpanph.png/1466482399336.jpg)
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
![Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described himself as a feminist.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/8/z/n/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp9ncb.png/1466137532856.jpg)
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
![<P>](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/b/u/t/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp9gjm.png/1464830142190.jpg)
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
![Professional advice is expensive, but the cost of amateur advice could be astronomical.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/9/c/x/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp9crl.png/1464825734006.jpg)
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
![Many people don't start planning for retirement until they reach their 50s.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/i/2/9/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp8kwj.png/1465228928174.jpg)
Mark Bouris Don't leave it too late to build a retirement plan.
Vision Super boss mad at budget changes
![Vision Super chief executive Stephen Rowe.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/s/g/c/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gon73h.png/1464508142546.jpg)
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
![Superfund Partners' Kris Kitto (pictured) and Elston CEO Andrew McKie have teamed up to launch mobile app Superstash.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/5/d/x/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp5944.png/1464350597498.jpg)
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
![SunSuper screen grab](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/7/t/e/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp5h89.png/1464670337294.jpg)
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
![Superannuation is under continual attack.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/4/5/u/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp4chn.png/1465992352440.jpg)
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?
![More and more Australians are opting to manage their own superannuation schemes.](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/g/o/i/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp3mc1.png/1464157889514.jpg)
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
SUPER & FUNDS
DIY super investment for those who can't be bothered
![John Collett](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/x/6/v/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gozw9n.png/1467861238708.jpg)
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
![The slated $820 million StatePlus IPO is off the table after First State Super snapped up the financial planning network ...](/web/20160708155149im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/j/9/t/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gp0xag.png/1463901099014.jpg)
Sally Rose First State Super, one of Australia's largest non-profit superannuation funds, has paid around $1 billion for StatePlus.