![ASIC is laying down far stricter rules about whether financial advice firms will be allowed to claim they are independent.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/f/y/l/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gx21v9.png/1499120181170.jpg)
Super & Funds
![ASIC is laying down far stricter rules about whether financial advice firms will be allowed to claim they are independent.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/f/y/l/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gx21v9.png/1499120181170.jpg)
Three scenarios to decide on transition to retirement
![Illustration: Ward O'Neill](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/3/x/5/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gx3x46.png/1499170741466.jpg)
It's decision time for anybody with a transition to retirement pension.
Transition to retirement still worthwhile – but not for the tax perks
![Your 50s can be a time to try new things in work and leisure.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/0/a/5/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gx09ck.png/1498622587915.jpg)
Despite limited tax incentives, there are some compelling reasons why a TTR income stream might still be for you.
Risk aversion is costing retirees tens of thousands of dollars
![Retirees could be earning higher returns by taking a bit more risk.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/4/o/6/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwxayx.png/1498555362983.jpg)
Most of us are more sensitive to what can go wrong than right.
Sting in the super changes for lower paid public servants
![</p>](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/9/u/c/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwx1v9.png/1498185365718.jpg)
Many lower income public servants and defence employees are disadvantaged by their employer's superannuation arrangements.
Your guide to next month's super changes
![It may be time for a little surgery on your nest egg.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/0/k/9/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwwzh6.png/1498182207029.jpg)
If you haven't paid attention to the looming changes in superannuation, this is what you need to know.
Obtaining life insurance could soon be as easy as sending a selfie
![Lifespan estimates from selfies are being trialed by US life insurers.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/g/l/y/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwsl2m.png/1498141218422.jpg)
You'd think life insurance would be almost immune from disruption by technology, but one of the oldest and most data-intensive industries is likely to undergo huge transformation.
The trap for high income earners with a cushy super package
![High-income earners could wind up in breach of the $25,000 annual contributions gap by accident, if they have a generous ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/l/e/v/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gws1a8.png/1498141173751.jpg)
The reduction in the annual concessional cap to $25,000 will create significant problems for many taxpayers and the Tax Office.
Compulsory super turns 25, but is yet to reach maturity
![Compulsory super turns 25 this year.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/q/d/j/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwo4ge.png/1497147470055.jpg)
As well as Australia's economy reaching its 26th year of continuous expansion, the longest run of uninterrupted growth in the developed world, this year also marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of compulsory superannuation.
Price hikes threaten to take shine off golden years
![Electricity costs have risen by 124 per cent over the past 10 years.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/b/q/e/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwiz25.png/1496829158563.jpg)
The prices of energy, health care and even taking companion animals to the vet have risen far in excess of price rises generally.
How to maximise your super under rule changes
![The non-concessional contribution cap will drop from $180,000 to $100,000 a year, but the three-year bring-forward rule ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/2/4/x/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwhwgg.png/1496288136914.jpg)
The changes that will take effect on July 1 are far-reaching and could make a major difference to your retirement plans.
Australians paying $31 billion in super fees every year
![Will we have enough to get through to the end?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/o/k/s/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwexb2.png/1496000252728.jpg)
Australians are paying $31 billion in superannuation fees every year, with half that money going to funds that manage just 30 per cent of all accounts.
Why it's important to know what fees you are paying on super
![High fees can hobble the returns of super funds.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/z/5/c/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwe21n.png/1496151690867.jpg)
Fund managers and super funds with high fees claim that it's not fees that matter, but the returns after fees.
The one thing wealthy super fund members need to do before June 30
![Illustration: Simon Letch](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/9/b/2/p/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwdav1.png/1496327717302.jpg)
June 30 is rapidly approaching and there is still much confusion among the wealthier members of our society regarding the $1.6 million limit for superannuation.
The big problem of super for small-business owners
![Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell says women business owners are particularly at risk of ending up without adequate ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/e/a/9/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwd9qa.png/1496151714401.jpg)
How would you rate the chances of 2 million small-business owners having adequate superannuation?
Super funds for bank employees among the best performers
![Analysis of 10 years' worth of performance data confirms many industry funds outperform their 'retail' rivals.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/4/a/z/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwc4uu.png/1495677879591.jpg)
The banks have some of the best-performing super funds of all, at least for their employees.
A good financial year for super fund members is almost a certainty
![Super funds are on track to deliver a bumper return.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/1/6/k/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw8q50.png/1495634241838.jpg)
Double-digit returns for super funds remain on the cards this financial year despite global sharemarkets likely to be negative over May.
Public servants gain from Future Fund decision
![Peter Costello, chairman of the Australian Future Fund, speaking at the Australian Shareholders' Association National ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/6/7/g/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw7mfy.png/1495076033957.jpg)
The federal government's recent decision to postpone drawing from the Future Fund is welcome news for members of its defined benefit funds.
Budget incentives for downsizers only benefit the well-off, experts say
![SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Portrait of Tom and Irene Han at their North West Sydney home. The retired couple intend to ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/5/l/b/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw4d2h.png/1495012727402.jpg)
Before selling, you need to consider how the age pension thresholds under the assets test work.
The nation's unpaid super bill is now $5.6b a year and rising
![The Tax Office needs to do more to help reduce the unpaid super problem](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/2/u/v/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw3k5c.png/1494741940140.jpg)
Unpaid superannuation is a huge and growing problem. Industry Super Australia estimates employers are failing to pay billions in compulsory super contributions to 2.6 million employees.
Super saver scheme to help young Aussies on middle incomes
![Younger Ausralians will be able to boost their savings for a home using the tax advantages of superannuation.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/2/f/c/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw2f52.png/1498830244755.jpg)
The budget announced an initiative to allow first home buyers to build up accessible savings in their super: how popular will it be?
Super and home downsizing plans welcomed for older Australians
![The federal president of the Superannuated Commonwealth Officers' Association Dr Annette Barbetti.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/x/y/e/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw099g.png/1494388537346.jpg)
Older Australians downsizing from large family homes have received a generous push in the federal budget.
Telstra's a tough call for its one million shareholders
![Telstra's share price is under pressure as mobile competition increases.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/j/w/7/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvutqr.png/1496374090603.jpg)
Telstra's more than one million shareholders will not be pleased with the sustained slide in the share price since the start of this year to be trading in the low $4 range now.
Chasing returns in super usually a losing bet
![Chasing returns in super is almost always the wrong thing to do.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/u/3/u/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvr12s.png/1493002109574.jpg)
Most people don't realise their super fund is likely to have about half their money invested in shares.
Public servants face big super slug
!["Complex" rules put public servants in danger of getting burned:
Canberra financial advisor Dan Blackman.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/k/y/m/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvkicp.png/1493269007371.jpg)
Public servants could be hit for hundreds of thousands as government curbs tax breaks.
Super funds own $45b in bank shares, $13b in tech stocks
![Spaceship founders Paul Bennetts, Andrew Sellen, Dave Kuhn and Kaushik Sen.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/e/x/t/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvq2s2.png/1496323783420.jpg)
Industry super funds love to criticise the big banks, but they are also closely entwined.
More to a share investment than just juicy dividends
![Dividends play a huge role in the returns of shareholders.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/1/e/n/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvm01x.png/1499076951931.jpg)
It's difficult to overstate the importance of dividends for Australian investors.
Most super funds with less than $2b not viable
![Larger super funds tend to outperform smaller funds.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/9/4/k/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvhfpt.png/1491803831216.jpg)
Size does matter when it comes to super funds.
How to avoid retiring with insufficient super
![Caring professions such as nursing tend to be female-dominated and low paid.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/e/t/8/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvet1w.png/1491532433027.jpg)
Why "financial literacy" won't help women overcome the structural flaws in superannuation.
Better-off need to save more super
![Most people have little idea of how much money they will need in retirement.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170705181300im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/b/k/v/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvb2vc.png/1491184394544.jpg)
How much will you need to save for a comfortable retirement? If you're clueless you're not alone.