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Tag: Superannuation

EOFY super strategies

It’s hard to get your super to soar like an eagle when it’s regulated by a bunch of turkeys. And whether the gobblers pulling the strings in Canberra are politicians or public servants matters little. Super will be a lot less so from next month. Forget the recent market gyrations and their impact on your […]

Super funds have been criticised for holding too many shares and not enough conservative assets. What do you think?

Bunkum, bollocks and bulltish. But let me explain. That proposition was made forcefully recently by former Treasury head Ken Henry. Uncle Ken’s comments were aimed at default “balanced” super funds, which traditionally have 55-70 per cent of their investments in “growth” assets – shares and property. His concerns have merit for Retirees and Boomers, whose […]

Tax time is less than two months away. What should people be doing now to make it less painful?

A wise man (Daniel be his name) once told me: “accountants organise what’s already happened. Financial advisers organise the future.” And that, dear readers, is today’s exercise. Six weeks till June 30? Plenty of time. Last year, the editor gave us four days! Okay, there’s the short-term “purchasing” advice. Some are able to claim items […]

SAFs could save your skin

PORTFOLIO POINT: They’re not a big part of the DIY spectrum, but SAFs have some important advantages over SMSFs … and could save your super skin. Those who are deeply immersed in their world of self-managed super funds are almost inevitably happy with their choice. They have, as far as super goes, almost the ultimate […]

Finger on panic button?

PORTFOLIO POINT: Super investment risk is ultimately in your control. Do you have a finger on the panic button? Using extreme examples to try to prove a point rarely does anyone any favours. And when it comes to super, one that former Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry used recently is a good case of an […]

Backroom deal dilutes adviser reform

PORTFOLIO POINT: A last-minute backroom deal on Future of Financial Advice’s “iconic” opt-in arrangements will dilute benefits to super members and investors. What does it mean for you? When two usual bedfellows break out in a spiteful stoush in an industry as big as financial services, you know something a bit fishy has gone on. […]

Risk reduction takes hold

PORTFOLIO POINT: The primary investment driver of SMSF trustees has changed. Has it taken hold of you? Some shifts in direction are subtle, like a cruise liner slowly changing its course. Some are not. Like a politician back-pedalling on a broken election promise. There was something you, as SMSF trustees, underwent last year that would […]

Managing contributions

PORTFOLIO POINT: Here’s another major benefit of SMSFs – managing contributions over two years. The power of super as a retirement vehicle has plenty of boundaries. There are plenty of brakes stopping you getting money in, for a start. But there are a few boundaries that are allowed to be pushed a little further to […]

Countdown to 30 June

PORTFOLIO POINT: The countdown to 30 June has started. Here’s your SMSF preparation checklist to make the most of this year. While superannuation isn’t a race, there are aspects of it that take on great urgency at times. And, for those who run their own SMSF, that’s especially true. Leaving everything to the last minute […]

Super honeypot

“One small swing for Swan. One giant blow to mankind.” If you believe that where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire, superannuation is going to cop a bullet to the head in next week’s Federal Budget. A little bit like Danny Glover revoking “diplomatic immunity” in Lethal Weapon 2. The low-tax environment that is super could be […]