Super & Funds
DIY fund trustees fly blind without returns objective
Most of those with DIY super funds don't track the performance of their funds against any conventional published benchmark or returns objectives.
Some rare good financial news for younger people
Despite growing wealth inequality, younger households should have much more in retirement savings than their parents.
Should you top up your nest egg now?
With law changes looming, this year may be the last opportunity for some to boost their nest egg by making extra contributions into their super fund.
Is it true that older people were promised a pension for life?
Just before the last election I was bombarded with emails that readers had received from the Mature Australia Party.
Pros and cons of DIY super
There are two types of people: those who have opened an SMSF and the rest.
When financial advice is really independent
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has turned a blind eye to financial planning firms calling themselves "independently owned" when they don't meet the rules of independence.
Four things you need to know about super before your first job
With the excitement of your first job, don't forget your super entitlements.
Rising obesity drives raid on super to pay for surgery
More people are accessing their super to pay for stomach surgery to control their weight as awareness grows that retirement savings can be used to pay for medical treatments.
Life insurance advice reforms will help better protect consumers
Commissions are still with us when it comes to life insurance.
Treasurer must keep promise to introduce super legislation this year
​Superannuation fund investors will be hoping that the Treasurer delivers on this week's promise to present the super change legislation in parliament by the end of 2016.
Why some retirees are better off cashing in their super
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
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?
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
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
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
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 have a right to know what their funds are doing with their money.
How to use superannuation to make the world a better place
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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?
Financial expert George Cochrane answers readers' questions.
Super makes sense
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
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
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
The best tax shelter for the well-off this side of the Cayman Islands survives pretty much intact after Scott Morrison's super changes.