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Tag: Property

SMSFs become a distorting force

SUMMARY: The power wielded by Australia’s SMSF sector is growing. Will we use that power wisely, or just in individual self-interest? When it comes to throwing its weight around, there is one super fund that can put quakes and quivers into the spines of board directors globally. CalPERS, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, can […]

Getting your SMSF 2014 ready

SUMMARY: Here are nine steps to get your SMSF ready for whatever’s ahead in 2014. In life, you can look forward or you can look back. But it usually pays to do a bit of both. While the final results aren’t in yet for calendar 2013, it was a fine year for investors and self-managed […]

SMSFs still ahead

SUMMARY: The future of super under an Abbott Government is being unveiled – slowly, but surely. And SMSFs will be relative winners. What is said before an election, whether promises or stated intentions, means little. It’s what gets delivered afterwards that’s counts. This was illustrated forcefully last week with the reversal of the Abbott Government’s […]

Six tips for your pension shift

PORTFOLIO POINT: A change in investment styles as you shift to pension? Here are six things to consider. An important positive about tax rules is that they are largely don’t change too much. If you know what the rules are, you can plan for them and play them to your advantage. For SMSF trustees, tax […]

Keep your head down and never rely on luck

When it comes to making money, there’s no such thing as luck. I don’t know anyone who has made their money through being lucky. I don’t have lucky numbers. I don’t pray for good financial fortune. Though I do hope that markets continue to do what they’ve done for centuries. I don’t read financial horoscopes. […]

Why compulsory annuities won’t suit SMSFs

PORTFOLIO POINT: The spectre of compulsory super annuities is increasing. And I don’t think SMSF trustees will be too thrilled. A considerable number of voices believe it’s one of the last great reforms needed to get Australia’s superannuation system up to world’s best. Compulsory annuities. When you hit retirement age – or some defined qualifying […]

SMSF property: Understand the risks

PORTFOLIO POINT: SMSF and geared property is white-hot news. So, let’s not lose sight of a few of the dangers. I’ve never seen anything like it. And I’ve been writing about superannuation for well more than a decade. While superannuation “issues” occasionally get plenty of column centimetres in the mainstream media (while specialist media cover […]

A single pot strategy

PORTFOLIO POINT: If you’re over 50, do you treat your super and non-super assets as two pots or one for asset allocation? Here’s an argument for the singular. Simply, the rules are different. Superannuation has one set of rules and taxation consequences. And your “normal” investments have another set of tax rules. For example, superannuation […]

Super frauds target SMSFs

PORTFOLIO POINT: Could you become a target of a super scam or SMSF fraud? Your SMSF is not safe. Here’s what to look out for. Bees and honeypots. Frauds and moneypots. It’s a similarly sticky attraction. The list of those who have lost wads to fraudsters and scam artists continually grows. Email and the internet […]

Beware the property hard sell. ASIC is watching

PORTFOLIO POINT: ASIC applies the blowtorch to SMSF property spruikers, with advisers and accountants also feeling the heat. Better late than never. Property spruikers be warned – the consumer watchdog has had enough and a bunch of businesses who thought they were operating outside of the reach of the law are about to get a […]