![If you use disposable nappies, the cost can run to $66 a week.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/e/5/t/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gt2dxy.png/1480892515303.jpg)
Super & Funds
![If you use disposable nappies, the cost can run to $66 a week.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/e/5/t/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gt2dxy.png/1480892515303.jpg)
Dump super in haste, repent at leisure
![Any change to the super system feeds public distrust.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/f/8/h/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt1k3s.png/1480718005581.jpg)
Any change in the superannuation rules feeds into the general public distrust of super, but it's important to look at the facts objectively.
New super regime is finally here
![The $1.6 million cap is for an individual not a couple.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/k/h/e/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt0ppm.png/1480474591604.jpg)
Make sure you check out the changes before taking any action.
What was good for fending off mammoths is bad for investing
![Flight responses that protected our species so well can make us poor investors.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/0/g/1/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsx7ww.png/1480411543552.jpg)
Usually, the best thing to do when doomsayers start to make a lot of noise is to sit tight.
Better-off age pensioners have incentives to hoard cash
![Pension changes may encourage retirees to hide cash.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/k/h/g/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gssddh.png/1479793143584.jpg)
Some retirees may be tempted to stash cash at home, but there are downsides.
DIY fund trustees fly blind without returns objective
![DIY fund trustees think their funds perform better than they really do.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/9/p/k/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsol6j.png/1479087515127.jpg)
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
![Millennials will have a healthy superannuation balance by the time they retire.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/5/x/c/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsm0lh.png/1479084909261.jpg)
Despite growing wealth inequality, younger households should have much more in retirement savings than their parents.
Should you top up your nest egg now?
![superannuation](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/o/b/t/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsme79.png/1479905905336.jpg)
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?
![Many older people believe the age pension is rightfully theirs.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/z/f/9/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsn07y.png/1478822863470.jpg)
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
![The only reason to have a self-managed super fund is if you want to pull the strings.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/j/e/r/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsgbve.png/1478563457078.jpg)
There are two types of people: those who have opened an SMSF and the rest.
When financial advice is really independent
![There is a hierarchy of independence when it comes to financial advice.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/d/v/o/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gshxgx.png/1478477599411.jpg)
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
![School leavers starting jobs need to be aware of their super entitlements.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/4/3/x/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gscxmz.png/1477877886381.jpg)
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.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/g/2/q/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsbtz3.png/1477804088056.jpg)
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
![Life insurance bought through an adviser has a greater chance of success at claims time.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/m/c/9/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs4m8s.png/1477270929532.jpg)
Commissions are still with us when it comes to life insurance.
Treasurer must keep promise to introduce super legislation this year
![More than a million retirees may have to change their superannuation strategies.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/s/g/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs6uan.png/1477460744097.jpg)
​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
![Super makes most sense when you're working because of the tax advantages.](/web/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/4/g/q/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs5u5f.png/1477376636398.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/a/q/n/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.grtmhi.png/1479905905489.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/n/g/8/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.grs2hd.png/1481257136658.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/m/r/s/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.grr2gu.png/1479385206950.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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/20161224144310im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.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.