PORTFOLIO POINT: Wayne Swan is bunkered down in Canberra writing his third Budget. Here’s what Eureka Report wants from the Treasurer next month. This time last year, few would have argued that Wayne Swan held the toughest job in the country. The 2009 Budget was going to be one of the most difficult ever to […]

The small, small world of self-managed super fund legal eagles sounded like a henhouse with a fox loose yesterday when news broke of the sternest of Tax Office warnings. The ATO warned that it was aware of several law firms selling trust deeds (and potentially recommending associated strategies) with provisions that are designed to get […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Jeremy Cooper claims he can make or save super members and employers about $12 billion in 10 years with just two sensible changes. “Razor gang” is a largely political term, usually reserved for that arm of an incoming government that’s purpose is to thin out the lazy build up of a public service […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Geared super can unpack its suitcase and settle in for an extended stay – with more protection for trustees and members. The super gearing rules that were introduced in the dying days of the Howard Government are officially here to stay. If there was ever any doubt – and there certainly was in […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: The market volatility experienced in recent years can throw SMSF asset allocations out of whack, potentially leaving you in the sights of the Tax Office. A year ago this week, as Australia’s stock market was hitting its low point, many SMSF trustees had long since abandoned any investment plan they’d previously clung to. […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: It’s a myth that the wealthy get the bulk of the benefits in the funding of retirement incomes, according to new research from wealth manager Mercer. Higher-income earners can be forgiven for thinking that, under this Labor Government, their hard work or success is not something to be proud of. Policies such as […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Is it possible that Jeremy Cooper actually really loves SMSFs? The jury’s out, but he has promised not to be the “cane toad” of SMSFs. Turns out the DIY super fund industry might not be broken after all and therefore doesn’t need fixing, according to none other than the man in charge of […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Here’s seven of the deadly sins of running your own SMSF. Oh … okay, make it eight. It’s an exciting proposition. Making the decision to sack the super platform/manager/provider who’s been running your super savings (often poorly, from a returns perspective) and taking on the responsibility for your retirement savings yourself in a […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made a rare stumble into the super debate and lets out a few party secrets. When a prime minister weighs into a debate, over the top of his ministers, very quickly you get a far clearer view of the bigger picture. And where certain objectives fit in the […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Is super headed towards becoming a defacto age pension system, designed to encourage only the lower-paid to put away for themselves? I’m not sure that any political party really believes that there are too many votes that will be actually won or lost in regards to superannuation. Sure, political parties know that superannuation […]