![More than a million retirees may have to change their superannuation strategies.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/s/g/q/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gs6uan.png/1476938638975.jpg)
Super & Funds
![More than a million retirees may have to change their superannuation strategies.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/s/g/q/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gs6uan.png/1476938638975.jpg)
Why some retirees are better off cashing in their super
![Super makes most sense when you're working because of the tax advantages.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/4/g/q/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs5u5f.png/1476935417558.jpg)
Superannuation is a tool, which when used properly is highly effective. But like all investment strategies it has a cost.
Women not taking enough risks with their super
![Michael Douglas in the 1987 film Wall Street. Women make better fund managers than men but most women don't take enough ...](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/e/7/7/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs2gjh.png/1476769298620.jpg)
Women's lack of appetite for investment risk is one of the factors that is leaving them worse off than men in retirement.
Are DIY super trustees up to the job?
![<P>](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/x/k/8/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.grzskf.png/1476222494179.jpg)
Anyone can manage their own super fund and do a dismal job, safe in the knowledge that in a worst-case scenario they have the age pension as a backstop.
Beware of bank staff spruiking their super funds
![Big banks have been accused of side-stepping financial planner laws.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/e/n/b/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.grx5ta.png/1476056805552.jpg)
Industry Super Australia is alleging banks' front-line staff are spruiking the benefits of the banks' own super funds to their customers in a way that may be side-stepping financial advice laws.
Inequities in defined benefit pensions
![A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for defined benefit pensions.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/8/i/2/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.grx007.png/1475798606247.jpg)
The draft legislation contains tough and in some cases unrealistic valuations of the non-commutable defined benefit pensions received by retirees.
Elite public servants to escape Morrison's super axe
![Wealthy public servants look set to keep nearly all of their superannuation concessions under looming reforms](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/a/q/n/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.grtmhi.png/1476066199896.jpg)
The wealthy elite of the Australian Public Service to keep nearly all their generous superannuation concessions.
Super funds keeping members in the dark for too long
![Super fund members are entitled to know where their funds are investing.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/n/g/8/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.grs2hd.png/1475566476349.jpg)
Super fund members have a right to know what their funds are doing with their money.
How to use superannuation to make the world a better place
![Dr Bronwyn King helped drive the tobacco divestment movement.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/r/3/8/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.grr3id.png/1475114256990.jpg)
Superannuation is our biggest liquid asset so making sure it's invested in a way that honours our personal values is a powerful way to do good.
How to make the most of the changing super system
![Binding reversionary nominations may become popular if the government's plan to limit superannuation pension transfers ...](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/h/n/r/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.grr30a.png/1475642970760.jpg)
The super compromise is far from ideal but all we can do is play the hand we're dealt, so here are possible strategies to adopt.
The double standard in the new superannuation rules
![The compromise is fairer, but there's still a double standard in the new super rules.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/m/r/s/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.grr2gu.png/1476796858585.jpg)
Accumulation fund members are treated more harshly than defined benefit fund members under the new super rules.
Why I changed my superannuation strategy for the US election
![Will Donald Trump be the next US president, or Hillary Clinton? Some fund managers don't care either way because they ...](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/q/t/i/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.grqthl.png/1475473496805.jpg)
It's time to tune into the US election. You may not get a vote, but you can prepare - financially at least.
Big banks and AMP dominate 'fat cat' super funds
![The big four banks and AMP represent nearly three-quarters of the 628 "Fat Cat Funds". Illustration: Matt Davidson](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/2/p/c/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.grpia8.png/1475567706104.jpg)
Bank-owned super funds dominate the ranks of "Fat Cat Funds" with high fees and poor performance, according to a new report.
Is your super fund a dud?
![There's a big difference in the performance of super funds.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/j/y/z/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.grmy1h.png/1474938560702.jpg)
It's the time of year when super funds send annual statements for the year to June 30 to fund members. It provides the perfect opportunity to check if your fund is a dud.
Super compromise fair and logical
![<P>](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/f/8/h/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.grmtpu.png/1474675911349.jpg)
Top marks to the government for dumping the deeply flawed proposal to introduce a backdated lifetime $500,000 non-concessional contributions cap.
Are my self-managed super fund investments safe?
![A friend paying board will reduce your pension, but it would be worth it if the company is good.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/m/0/3/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.grm07c.png/1474515490051.jpg)
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Super makes sense
![There are enough incentives that super makes sense.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/x/v/0/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.grlt63.png/1474601443700.jpg)
The superannuation system is a tax system, and as annoyed as we are about changes, governments do change tax policy.
Government mulls national default super scheme to save $1.5b
![Treasurer Scott Morrison's Treasury has shown the positive effect that company tax cuts will have on the economy.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/j/d/o/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.grkej9.png/1476045140615.jpg)
The Turnbull government is considering a radical shakeup of Australia's superannuation system that would pit banks and industry funds against each other for the right to manage the deposits of every new entrant for at least two years.
The $25,000 hit to women in the super backdown
![Women's career breaks make it harder to accumulate a healthy superannuation balance. Illustration: Karl Hilzinger](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/k/3/1/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.grk32g.png/1474364116319.jpg)
The compromise over superannuation includes a delay in the plans to let people roll over their concessional contributions, which will hurt carers, particularly women.
Super cap change a cave-in to the wealthy
![Treasurer Scott Morrison and Kelly O'Dwyer minister for Revenue at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday 15 September ...](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/g/o/v/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.grgwkt.png/1473910270440.jpg)
The best tax shelter for the well-off this side of the Cayman Islands survives pretty much intact after Scott Morrison's super changes.
Super change brings lump-sum tax into focus
![Treasurer Scott Morrison's watered-down reform is better than no reform, but still appears remarkably generous to those ...](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/g/q/k/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.grgr9f.png/1475040218814.jpg)
If you were hoping the superannuation proposals the government took to the election would provide certainty around super for years to come, you will be disappointed.
Retired public servants in the dark over tax on pensions
![There aren't many former public servants with a defined benefit pension of more than $100,000 but, for anyone in that ...](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/5/v/h/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.grg87r.png/1473863224008.jpg)
Former public servants with generous retirement benefits face a grey area in determining how their pension will be taxed.
Big tech is the worst place for young Aussies to invest right now
![Chris Brycki, founder of automated investment advisor Stockspot, says the technology sector is too frothy.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/g/j/c/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.grgdsi.png/1473891190618.jpg)
The launch of a new super product with a technology focus targeted at millennials has attracted attention, but caution is warranted.
Tech-focused super product called Spaceship to target millennials
![Spaceship founders Paul Bennetts, Andrew Sellen, Dave Kuhn and Kaushik Sen have raised $1.6 million from tech heavyweights.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/e/x/t/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.grfay9.png/1473913135107.jpg)
Software billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes is leading a who's who of the Australian technology industry in backing a new superannuation product with a technology focus aimed at millennials.
P2P lenders not like having money with a bank
![Online marketplaces are paying higher interest for cash but come with risks](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/v/f/w/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.grci9l.png/1473891167706.jpg)
Online marketplaces can offer higher interest rates than banks, but customers need to realise that's not the only difference, writes John Collett.
Super will be Turnbull's key test: Grattan Institute
![Much of the opposition to Malcolm Turnbull proposed super changes has come from Coalition backbenchers.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/7/b/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr8bmi.png/1473066352809.jpg)
The Grattan Institute has identified superannuation as the most important test of Malcolm Turnbull's leadership.
Five reasons we don't have a retirement savings crisis
![ASFA's definition of a "comfortable" retirement standard is more luxurious than that of many working people, according ...](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/4/u/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr7wy6.png/1473551030134.jpg)
There are powerful vested interests pushing the idea that Australians need to save more for retirement.
Top-up super to low paid held hostage by reform package
![Lower earners need all the help they can get to build their super. Illustration: Karl Hilzinger](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/5/2/t/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr7dw6.png/1475400807624.jpg)
The longer the politics over the reforms to the superannuation tax breaks continues, the worse it will be for the growing proportion of the workforce working part-time and casually.
Defined benefit fund members still in the dark over changes
![Superannuation is tied up and untouchable, but there is still uncertainty around its tax treatment.](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/s/g/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr662m.png/1472695594661.jpg)
It's still uncertain how the proposed $1.6 million cap on pension fund accounts will be applied to defined benefit pensions.
Reforms to super tax breaks are fair
![Wealthy retirees will take a modest hit under new super rules](/web/20161021131721im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/j/z/3/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gr1td8.png/1472520408662.jpg)
The Turnbull government's plans to rein in the super tax breaks going to the well-off are modest and fair.