SMSF trust deeds: Rules, guidelines and updates
Your SMSF trust deed is your fund’s most important legal document, so it pays to get it right from the outset and to carry out regular health checks.
Articles by Barbara Drury
Which super funds accept transfers from KiwiSaver accounts?
If you have savings in a KiwiSaver account, you can voluntarily transfer them to an Australian super fund under the provisions of a Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability scheme that was introduced on 1 July 2013.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular LICs/LITs
They may have lost ground to newer investment products such as ETFs, but listed investment companies and trusts are still prized by many SMSF investors.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular managed funds
Despite the inroads made by ETFs in recent years, traditional managed funds remain popular with SMSFs seeking easy access to global shares and fixed interest.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular international shares
While the number of SMSFs investing directly in global shares is still relatively small, the booming tech sector is attracting an increasing number of those that do.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular Australian shares
SMSF investors continued their love affair with dividend-paying Australian shares in the year to June 2024, with all the usual suspects in the top 20.
SMSF investment: 20 most popular ETFs
ETFs were the fastest growing asset class among SMSF investors in the year to June 2024, with a surge of inflows to international shares driven by booming tech stocks.
Location the missing ingredient in retirement planning
When you start planning your retirement, where you live can be just as important as your super balance and have an even bigger impact on your quality of life.
Am I eligible for the Age Pension?
A common question for Australians planning their retirement is if, and when, they will be eligible for the Age Pension.
How do tax-deductible superannuation contributions work?
Making a tax-deductible super contribution can be a great way to boost your retirement savings. Find out whether they could be the right strategy for you.
How much can I afford to spend in retirement?
Retirees often live more frugally than necessary due to fears their money will run out, but this simple rule of thumb could help many retirees spend and enjoy life more.
Lifetime estimator calculator
Without knowing how long we will live, retirement income planning is difficult, to say the least. This calculator provides a personalised estimate, depending on your health and other factors.
Why it can pay to put as much as possible into super
If your super balance is underwhelming, even small personal contributions can supercharge your retirement savings once compound interest and tax do the heavy lifting.
Age Pension calculator (September 2024 update)
Our Age Pension calculator gives you an estimate of your potential Age Pension entitlements based on your situation, assets and income.
Age Pension income test rules (from September 2024)
A common question for those nearing or in retirement is “How much can a pensioner earn before it affects the pension?”.
Age Pension assets test rules (from September 2024)
This article details the rules and limits of the Age Pension assets test (how much your savings and other assets are worth), which is one half of the means test (along with the income test) that determines how much Age Pension you could be eligible for.
Age Pension rates (September 2024 to March 2025)
Age Pension rates increase on 20 September 2024. This article also explains how the Age Pension works, and includes the latest Age Pension rates for residents, non-residents, and the transitional Age Pension.
Balanced, Growth, Defensive: What’s in a name?
If you are confused about the meaning of super investment option labels like Balanced, Growth and Defensive you’re not alone. Even the funds can’t agree.
