What age can I access my super (Preservation Age)?
There are a series of hurdles you need to clear before you can access your super. The first is your age.
Articles by Barbara Drury
How retirees are using home equity to boost income
Cost of living pressures are expected to fuel growth in reverse mortgages as retirees look for ways to top up their income.
How does your super affect the Age Pension?
The amount of Age Pension you are eligible to receive in retirement is means tested, with super among the assets included. This is how it’s assessed.
What is a self-managed super fund (SMSF)?
SMSFs are a popular choice for people who want more flexibility and control over their retirement savings, but they’re not for everyone so be sure to understand what’s involved.
Retirement planning for couples
Planning for retirement as a couple offers opportunities to maximise your retirement income from super along with tax and estate planning benefits, but there can also be added complexity.
SMSF setup guide: 9 steps you need to follow
SMSFs offer more control than other super funds, but strict rules apply. Follow our 9-step guide to ensure your fund complies with all your legal obligations from the outset.
Multigenerational SMSFs: Benefits and pitfalls
Now that SMSFs can have up to six members, it makes it easier to bring the whole family into the super fold, but it’s important to look before you leap.
SMSF audits: Fees and guidelines
An annual audit is one of the necessary tasks associated with running an SMSF, but it can save trustees from inadvertent and costly breaches of the rules.
How much super do I need to retire?
Don’t be rattled by pundits saying you need $1 million to retire. The amount you need will depend on your personal circumstances, not a figure drawn out of a hat.
What is the DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) Service Pension?
The Service Pension provided similar benefits to the Age Pension for veterans, their partners and widow(er)s, but the eligibility requirements are different, as you would expect.
The taper trap: Super and the Age Pension means test
The way super intersects with the Age Pension has a big impact on retirees with ‘middling’ super balances, but it’s important not to fixate on short-term pension entitlements at the expense of long-term financial security.
What are the penalties for SMSF non-compliance?
The ATO has increased scrutiny of SMSFs and common areas of non-compliance with superannuation law, and the penalties for getting it wrong can be substantial.
Asset valuation guidelines for SMSFs
There’s no getting around regular asset valuations for your SMSF, and it needs to be done by the book.
Franked dividends and franking credits for SMSFs
While interest rates have lifted off their historic lows, franked dividends from shares are still a happy hunting ground for income-seeking investors.
SMSFs and financial advice: A matter of cost and trust
The number of SMSF trustees who have unmet advice needs is growing, but upcoming reforms and new technology offer the prospect of improved affordability and access.
What is the cost of living in retirement in Australia?
If retirement beckons, it’s time to work out how much income you think you will need to fund your desired retirement lifestyle. Here’s what you need to consider.
Have you got an exit plan? The importance of estate planning
Older Australians are wealthier than ever before, so careful estate planning is crucial if you want your super and other assets to be distributed in line with your wishes.
How to get ready for retirement if you own a business
It can be easy to put off retirement planning when you are caught up in the demands of running your own business, but it pays to plan ahead if you want to make the most of all your hard work.
