Articles by
Barbara Drury
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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.
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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.
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How to create an investment portfolio in retirement
Structuring an investment portfolio designed to support you throughout retirement is a different challenge to the strategies you used to build wealth during your working life.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Are pension withdrawal rates safe? Understanding drawdowns and spending rules
Retirees often regard the government-mandated minimum withdrawal rates for their super pension as a default maximum, so how are these rates set and should you consider withdrawing more?
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Selecting a retirement income calculator
Most super funds provide tools to help you estimate your annual retirement income and how long it should last. But how reliable are they? It pays to know what to look out for.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The benefits of contributing extra to super earlier in life
If your super balance is underwhelming, even small personal contributions can supercharge your retirement savings once compound interest and tax do the heavy lifting.
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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.
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Top 10 Balanced super funds ranked by risk and return
Earning a good return on your super is important, but so is avoiding wild ups and downs when markets are volatile, especially when you are nearing retirement.
