What is the cost of living in retirement in Australia?
To understand how much income you will need to fund your desired retirement lifestyle, first you need to work out how much you are likely to spend. Here’s how.
Articles by Barbara Drury
Retirement income rules of thumb: Do they measure up?
If you are getting serious about planning your retirement income needs and don’t know where to start, these handy estimates could help.
SMSFs and insurance: Rules and considerations
Even if you have life insurance outside super or in a pre-existing fund, SMSF trustees are still required to consider their insurance strategy.
Super fund performance reckoners: Annual returns for 5 investment categories
In these reckoners you can view the median super fund returns for 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 years across five different investment options for the last 10 calendar years and 9 financial years.
Super fund performance over 32 calendar years (to December 2024)
Super funds went above and beyond in 2024, with the median Growth fund up 11.4% and even the most conservative investment options performing strongly.
Super fund performance: Monthly returns to December 2024
Despite a late stumble, super funds delivered double-digit returns in 2024 for members in growth options and solid returns for those in more conservative options.
Super fund performance reckoner: Monthly returns for 5 investment categories
In our reckoner below you can view the median monthly investment returns for 5 superannuation investment options going back to January 2016.
What are the penalties for SMSF non-compliance?
SMSFs offer a high degree of flexibility and control over your retirement savings, but there are legal guardrails and hefty penalties for trustees who breach them.
The role of cash and bonds in your portfolio and what’s available
High interest rates are loathed by borrowers but they are money in the bank for people seeking reliable income with a high degree of safety from their investments.
Can I get free financial advice?
If you could do with some help with your finances but can’t afford a professional adviser, all is not lost. Free financial advice and digital tools are out there if you know where to look.
2024 year in review, 2025 year in preview
For the second year running, investors had a surprisingly good year in 2024 thanks to moderating inflation, economic growth holding its head above water, falling interest rates (just not in Australia) and buoyant share markets.
Where to find retirement income in addition to super
If you are planning your retirement income and worried you don’t have enough super, don’t forget to factor in other potential sources of income. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Saving for retirement outside super
Super is undoubtedly the most tax effective vehicle for retirement savings, but there are plenty of reasons why you might hold investments outside super to augment your retirement income.
When can I access my super? All conditions of release explained
While super is designed to provide income in retirement, there are circumstances when you may be eligible to withdraw some or all of your savings.
Can I return to work after I access my super?
It’s generally possible to return to work after you retire and start withdrawing your super, but the rules vary according to your age.
Super and pension fund performance: Where does your fund rank?
Now updated to 30 September 2024. Have you ever looked at your super fund’s investment returns and wondered how your fund compares with similar funds? Is it a consistently high performer or an inveterate underachiever?
What is the sole purpose test, and how does it work?
As the name suggests, the savings you accumulate in super are meant to be for one purpose only. Straying from that purpose can be costly.
Platforms and wraps: Benefits and downsides
Technology is at the heart of recent innovation by platform providers as they compete against each other, industry funds and SMSFs for your super and non-super investments.
