PORTFOLIO POINT: Concessional contributions are the base of super. Current rules mean your contribution limits are wasted if you don’t use them each year. Are you making the most of your opportunities? Waiting. I hope nobody out there is holding their breath, because you’ll probably pass out soon. The pressure is growing on the government […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Parliament House was filled with enough hot air to nearly see it float off like a hot air balloon during the tax summit. Buried deep, however, were some interesting ideas for super. “Much of what has been said has been quite predictable. I could have written the script for this before coming in.” […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Farewell in-specie transfers to super? The government has just labelled some SMSF trustees “liars” and “frauds” over in-specie super contributions. And here’s what they’re going to do about it. In a broad sense at least, the government claims to believe that SMSFs are well run, that compliance is high, and that there is […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: The Tax Office has put some meat on the bones of “repair” and “improvement” versus “new asset” regulations for geared property in super. And the news is good. There’s something in the air. And it looks like it might be contagious. While one swallow (even two) doesn’t make a spring, there’s a pattern […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Leave minimum drawdowns and non-concessional limits alone! But if Super Minister Bill Shorten wants some suggestions to make super fairer, he need only have asked Eureka Report readers. Well, I certainly asked the right people. And I knew Eureka Report readers were up to the task. Thank you for your email responses to […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: The current rules are flawed. They’re in danger of breaking the system. It’s time for a rethink on super contributions, so here are some ideas, Minister Shorten. True or false? In a year’s time, it will be harder to get money into super than it has ever been in the nation’s history. True. […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Certainly no earthquake, but a positive tremor for super consumers. Here’s how the Government’s new financial advice reforms will impact your super. Opt-in is confirmed. Working in a client’s “best interests” is too. And the ban on soft-dollar benefits is not just in, but is going to be made tougher. Assistant treasurer Bill […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Looking around for less volatile alternatives to equities in your SMSF? Your solution could be fixed interest. But how do you get yourself some? Have equities been providing you with less joy than a naked romp in a prickle field? Are you suffering from volatility fatigue? Are you one bad day from selling […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: The proposed ban on risk insurance commissions in super might be ditched. But it’s not that simple for SMSFs and it shouldn’t stop trustees in any case. Here’s what you need to know. Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten dropped a bombshell in financial planning circles in April when he updated the government’s plans for […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: My geared property rule for SMSFs trustees – if you’re not doing it outside super, don’t do it inside your SMSF. With stock markets swan diving back into the pool of schizophrenia in recent weeks, expect the sales pitch volume for other asset classes to be turned up. The “safety of cash”, the […]