On the super contributions front, there’s a clock ticking. It’s attached to a bomb and if you don’t act quickly, it has the potential to cost you thousands of dollars in tax. For others, particularly those aged roughly 40-55, a completely new approach for super is required. And failing to grasp this reasonably early could […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Exclusive: DIY fund trustees … Memo to Australia’s politicians: The proof is out. Self-managed super fund trustees are no bunch of uneducated or lazy cash hoarders. They know what they’re doing. They’re active in their investment choices. And they certainly don’t need regulatory nannying. A pilot survey, exclusively released to Eureka Report, shows […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: How can you assure an income stream above the government age pension for life? With an annuity. And they’re back on the agenda. Superannuation annuities became as popular as the browning bananas in the fruit bowl. You know they’ve been there for ages. You know they’ve got a use. But who wants them […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Were you too scared to take off the hedging safety harness last year? There was a big bang reward for those who were unhedged. Unlike most other investment opportunities, currency is very close to being a long-term, zero-sum, game. For every winner, there is, broadly, an equivalent loser. Share and property markets tend […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: It’s time Australians and superannuation regulators understood exactly how long it is they’re going to live and have their super invested accordingly and appropriately. There’s a deep psychological problem with the perception of superannuation in Australia. And that is the constant focus on retirement age. Far too many Australians have in their mind […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: New rules require new thought processes. Perhaps it’s time you considered gearing strategies as a way of beating legislative changes, battered portfolios and a listless investment horizon. The Rudd Government has been successful with its super contributions spin campaign. The halving of the limits, so their wrong’un goes, will only affect a wealthy […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Get your skates on. The super cutbacks in the Budget means Australians have just six weeks to make the most of the currently more generous rules. Yes, it’s frustrating, but we’re just going to have to get used to politicians and their insatiable desire to tinker with superannuation. While constant fiddling cannot engender […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: Make no mistake – a major super fund could collapse, causing widespread panic. And some fund trustees are exacerbating the risk to members with high levels of illiquid investments. When a rumour gains a bit of traction, it can be hard to stop. Panic can set in very, very quickly. Reactions can be […]

PORTFOLIO POINT: The rumblings are getting louder that Wayne Swan will tinker with super again in next month’s Budget. So, here are nine things to consider doing now. Not that investors knew at the time, but this time last year we were about half-way through a market meltdown. This year, there are other things for […]