This Month
Big super reckoning: what the Cbus woes mean for industry funds
This week on The Fin podcast, James Thomson and Hannah Wootton on the case against the firm, what it means for industry funds and why the “super wars” are back.
- Opinion
- Super Q&A
How to navigate the downsizer contribution rules for super
You can take advantage of the generous downsizer contribution provision from age 55 and there is no upper age limit, although the entitlement can only be used once.
- John Wasiliev
- Opinion
- SMSFs
SMSFs that do this check each year could end up paying less tax
To get optimal results, choose carefully which method your SMSF uses to calculate tax-free pension amounts.
- Colin Lewis
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
How big super is spending your money on sponsorship and marketing
Jumps in advertising spends at industry giants such as Aware Super and UniSuper came despite a crackdown by the watchdog questioning whether these costs are in members’ best interests.
- Hannah Wootton
November
- Opinion
- SMSFs
Why SMSFs can never lend money to relatives – ever
An SMSF can lend money to a person or business completely unrelated to members of the fund but all loans must be made on commercial terms.
- Meg Heffron
- Opinion
- Super Q&A
How do I make sense of all the different superannuation caps?
The transfer balance cap is $1.9 million but after you start drawing a pension, there is no limit on investment earnings.
- John Wasiliev
- Opinion
- SMSFs
Why SMSFs might soon need to load up on cash
Taxing unrealised capital gains on super balances over $3 million will make cash-flow management extremely difficult.
- Peter Burgess
- Sponsored
- Colonial First State
Super and the coming generational wealth transfer
Gens X, Y, and Z are about to come into some money. In what’s become known as the great wealth transfer, in the two decades from 2023 Australia’s over-60s are expected to hand down $6.2 trillion worth of assets to their heirs, says McCrindle.
Sponsored
by Colonial First State
- Opinion
- SMSFs
Why more retirees might dodge the death tax on super
Forcing people with superannuation balances above $3 million to pay more tax will give rise to a range of new strategies.
- Michael Hutton
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Cbus puts super sector on the edge of a systemic scandal
The banking royal commission taught us seemingly innocuous problems can have huge ramifications. The super sector may be about to learn that lesson.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Super Q&A
We have $5m in super as a couple. How can we contribute more?
The maximum amount of super that can be transferred into a tax-free pension account is $1.9 million, although investment earnings can grow the balance without penalty.
- John Wasiliev
- Opinion
- SMSFs
Be on the lookout for the super surcharge for high earners
If you receive a Division 293 tax assessment from the ATO, you must pay the bill within 21 days to avoid penalties.
- Colin Lewis
Hundreds of SMSFs may have been misled into this illiquidity trap
The financial complaints authority says two people who set up SMSFs based on bad advice are owed almost $400,000. Hundreds of others may be in the same boat.
- John Wasiliev
- Opinion
- Financial planners
A family road trip upended my thinking about how we advise retirees
Spending 130 hours in the car with my wife and daughters made me realise how easily we lose sight of what truly matters.
- Renato Mota
How Aware Super beat the sector’s reputation for bad customer service
The $180 billion super fund invested in service and advice before regulators forced it to. As the rest of the industry now scrambles to catch up, it’s eyeing bigger plans.
- Hannah Wootton
Tapping super to help your kids buy a home? Read this first
While accessing your super to help the kids buy property may seem like a good idea, there are a few things to understand first.
- Ben Smythe
- Sponsored
- SS&C Technologies
It’s all about the tech stack: the future of superannuation
The member administration of Australia’s vast pool of superannuation assets is critical to the promise of retirement for millions of people.
Sponsored
by SS&C Technologies
October
Swan accuses Cbus critics of ‘raw politics’ and ‘deliberate damage’
The former treasurer said industry funds were under attack from critics jealous of their success.
- Hannah Wootton
Allow people to ‘cash out’ of super above 8pc: Grattan
A debate about using superannuation for housing prompted the institute’s policy expert Brendan Coates to call for radical change.
- Lucy Dean
APRA reveals $10.8b spending by super funds but rules out blacklists
The regulator considered a blanket ban on funds making payments to unions or advertisers, but decided against it.
- Hannah Wootton
Aware Super watching for transparency in WiseTech review
Representatives of Aware Super, which owns about 1.18 per cent of WiseTech, had a “constructive” meeting with the board and chairman on Monday.
- Maxim Shanahan
This couple put their life savings into an SMSF. They can’t get it out
Alex and David Didlock say they were misled by a financial adviser who promised better returns and maximum liquidity. Now they’re being told they might never see their money again.
- John Wasiliev
- Opinion
- SMSFs
A big new tax on super is coming but don’t do anything rash – yet
While a government plan to increase tax on super balances above $3 million is anxiety inducing, yanking money out too soon could be a costly mistake.
- Meg Heffron
- Opinion
- Super Q&A
What’s the best way to transfer super to a surviving spouse?
In some cases, no formal death benefit nomination could be the best option because it provides flexibility.
- John Wasiliev
- Opinion
- SMSFs
Why over 70s are pouring money into super like never before
Removing the work test has allowed more people to take advantage of a strategy that reduces tax on an inherited nest egg.
- Peter Burgess
