![We all need a house, but buying one is not so cheap.](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/i/g/g/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.guigi4.png/1487744288634.jpg)
Super & Funds
![We all need a house, but buying one is not so cheap.](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/i/g/g/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.guigi4.png/1487744288634.jpg)
DIY funds with less than $2 million not viable, say industry funds
![DIY versus large super funds - industry funds hit back.](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/5/2/t/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gufafa.png/1487664214661.jpg)
An economist in the superannuation industry says DIY super funds with less than $2 million "are not viable retirement savings vehicles".
Fraser review rejects 'independence' quotas for industry super funds
![''You've only got to look at the arithmetic,'' said former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser.](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/b/c/u/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gue6ho.png/1487540944489.jpg)
A long-awaited review into the governance of industry super funds by former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser has found no grounds for legislation that would force boards to have a minimum number of "independent" directors.
BRICs, CIVETS, NUTS and other useless acronyms
![Following investment fashions usually results in losses.](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/h/o/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu9yqt.png/1486931781142.jpg)
A trendy acronym is no substitute for an investment strategy.
DIY funds versus the pros – the answer is in
![Not-for-profits and DIY super funds are neck and neck over 10 years.](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/x/w/w/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu4t90.png/1486345706736.jpg)
Does it matter who manages your super fund?
Clock ticks on $1 million super deadline
![Only five months to go before super contributions caps are lowered](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/o/b/j/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu3nqj.png/1486083732244.jpg)
It's the $1 million opportunity – the last hurrah to get a lot of money inside super and take advantage of super's concessional tax rates before July 1 this year.
The problems with compulsory super
![Ensuring you are paid compulsory super can take a back seat to take-home pay and other entitlements.](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/y/r/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu3qh1.png/1485996765128.jpg)
The system for ensuring that workers are paid their compulsory super is inadequate.
One way super is changing for the better for employees
![Under the current super system, employees can only make concessional contributions if their employer offers salary sacrifice.](/web/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/j/c/t/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu3nxj.png/1486105498783.jpg)
There are new opportunities opening up for employees after June 30.
Average man faces $236k super shortfall, woman $307k
![The earlier you start saving, the more your nest egg will grow.](/web/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/q/h/x/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtdqya.png/1487824769235.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/20170226084744im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/e/5/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt2dxy.png/1487578869626.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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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/20170226084744im_/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.