Super & Funds
Negotiating the super maze to a secure future
MAX NEWNHAM When legislation was introduced for choice of superannuation fund, it did not apply to everyone.
Fees force strategy rethink
FUND PICK Do you have a transition-to-retirement strategy set up by your financial planner that you have not heard about for some time? Then get on the phone and organise a meeting. Under the lower superannuation contribution cap of $25,000 from July 1, the cost of the strategy may outweigh the benefits.
Pension deadline
ANNETTE SAMPSON The strategy: To make sure my super pension is hunky-dory for June 30.
Super funds feel brunt of European turmoil
Gareth Hutchens Australians anticipating a decent return from their super have had their hopes dashed.
Behind the fraud, a more grim reality
ANNETTE SAMPSON Australia's superannuation industry is a gold mine for companies out to flog their services. Fund managers, financial planners, consultants, auditors, researchers, custodians. They're all in the market to help manage your retirement savings.
Eight ways to beat the changes
ANNETTE SAMPSON Budget changes will reduce concessional contributions. But there is still time to maximise earnings, writes Annette Sampson.
Returns bounce back
John Collett After experiencing big losses, superannuation balances are climbing out of the GFC doldrums.
Shining a light on super
Fund members will benefit from greater disclosure and accountability, writes Annette Sampson.
The search for value
Barbara Drury Improved pension offerings from super funds are aimed at retaining members tempted by the self-managed variety.
Insight: Super funds
Clancy Yeates It's well known that non-profit super funds have generally made higher returns than retail funds over the longer term.
Get ready for the rebound
FUND PICK With some luck the Reserve Bank's three interest rate cuts since November last year should help produce a sustainable recovery in Australian shares.
Outsource advantage
I CAN DO THAT The strategy: To enjoy all the benefits of a self-managed super fund without all the responsibilities.
A super hit to the well-off
FUND PICK There has been much speculation on who would be hit by a higher tax on their superannuation contributions.
Success in going it alone
In an era when superannuation returns have been disappointing, John Collett examines the pros and cons of taking charge of your own fund.
Super lost 'n' found
FUND PICK The federal government's initiative to reduce the mountain of ''lost'' superannuation money appears to be working.
Transfer crackdown
I CAN DO THAT The strategy: To prepare for the new rules on off-market transfers and self-managed super funds.
Retail funds lag industry
John Collett and Sean Aylmer Industry superannuation funds have outperformed retail funds over the past 10 years.
DIY super funds show experts how it's done
ANNETTE SAMPSON Many people would be surprised to learn that the biggest sector in Australia's superannuation industry isn't industry funds or the big retail funds that dominate the headlines. Nor is it government or employer funds.
Retirement savings hit
FUND PICK Yippee! Super funds returned almost 4 per cent in the three months to the end of February.
Targeted action
Lesley Parker Simple, one-off superannuation advice is all that some people want and need.
Terminal terminology
Leslie Parker Most Australians think jargon renders super baffling and boring, so let's rephrase that.
Insight
INSIGHT Do Australian super funds invest too heavily in shares? It's a question more and more are asking.
ACT govt super fund suffers $450m shortfall
Noel Towell The ACT government workers' superannuation fund is more than $450 million short of its budgeted earnings in the past five years, with the global financial crisis blamed for the shortfall.
How to retire early and lead the good life - ask the Hoggs
Debra Jopson THEY are the retirees governments dream of, never planning to take an age pension unless hit by unforeseen financial catastrophe. Their house in Yarralumla, Canberra, is worth ''a smidgin over $1 million''. Their self-managed super fund also has more than $1 million in it.
Following property path comes with risks
Debra Jopson NO MATTER how young you are when you start thinking about retirement, superannuation planning is littered with potential pitfalls.
People poorly informed on retirement choices
Debra Jopson IT IS the great Australian turn-off. Despite 20 years of compulsory superannuation, people aged 50 to 74 have a ''surprisingly poor'' grasp of which investment choices ensure the best retirement income, a team of university researchers has found.
Super 'biased against lower paid'
Debra Jopson THE architect of compulsory superannuation says it has become an ''inequitable'' scheme that should be changed to reduce its bias towards the better off.
Halved measures
John Kavanagh With the benefit soon to reduce, time is running out to make the most of the super co-contribution.
