![Ensuring you are paid compulsory super can take a back seat to take-home pay and other entitlements.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/y/r/d/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gu3qh1.png/1485996765128.jpg)
Super & Funds
![Ensuring you are paid compulsory super can take a back seat to take-home pay and other entitlements.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/y/r/d/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gu3qh1.png/1485996765128.jpg)
Average man faces $236k super shortfall, woman $307k
![The earlier you start saving, the more your nest egg will grow.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/2/8/o/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu1sh1.png/1485920903101.jpg)
Five easy ways both genders can sort their super and ensure it will go the distance.
Fund members likely flying blind with life-stage options
![How life-stage options will perform is largely unknown.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/q/h/w/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtzzv7.png/1485740391297.jpg)
Would you invest in something for which there is no information on whether it is likely to be a good investment?
Rush to beat this year's super deadline
![The superannuation rules are changing in July.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/h/f/m/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtyz47.png/1485401061421.jpg)
​Should investors make the most of the current super contribution rules before much tougher rules apply from 1 July 2017?
More working for longer to ensure decent retirement
![More are delaying retirement to build a bigger nest egg.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/v/v/d/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtv82n.png/1485216998716.jpg)
Workers are retiring at age 61, on average. Just two years ago they were retiring at age 58.
Investing with a conscience not that easy
![A survey of ethical ETFs by ethical investment adviser, Balance Impact, finds many ETFs screen very differently from ...](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/i/7/8/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtqpx8.png/1484613540681.jpg)
Ethical investing is in the eye of the investor.
A roof of your own is secret to retirement
![The lifestyle of many retirees is underpinned by home ownership](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/4/0/3/4/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtopui.png/1484037658523.jpg)
Our super system is not in need of restructuring as some commentators suggest.
Labor ought to stop pandering to millionaires
![Bill Shorten](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/k/z/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtis3f.png/1484652863161.jpg)
Once Labor and the unions stood up for battlers. Now they’re robocalling seeking sympathy for millionaires who want to stay on the pension.
What happens if both spouses have $1.6m in super and one dies?
![The new Low Income Superannuation Tax offset will give a modest boost to some nest eggs.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/j/w/u/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtcz5m.png/1484553207028.jpg)
Financial expert Noel Whittaker answers readers' questions.
Is the trend of running out of money in retirement increasing?
![Australia is in the top five countries for life expectancy worldwide and Australians aged 64 now can expect to spend ...](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/q/h/x/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtdqya.png/1485065420031.jpg)
As a nation, we're pretty optimistic. We like to think things will turn out for the best, and if they don't, we usually have a back-up plan to see us through. While it's one of the traits I like most about Australian culture, optimism alone doesn't always cut it.
How to grow your super while on parental leave
![If you use disposable nappies, the cost can run to $66 a week.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/e/5/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt2dxy.png/1480893965157.jpg)
For my third maternity leave, I've pledged to pay myself enough super to match every dollar I spend on nappies.
Dump super in haste, repent at leisure
![Any change to the super system feeds public distrust.](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/k/h/e/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt0ppm.png/1483477491975.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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
![About 8 per cent of pensioners were paid less or nothing at all in the latest round of payments, taking into account the ...](/web/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/k/h/g/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gssddh.png/1483865026342.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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/20170202113123im_/http://www.theage.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.