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25 April 2024
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SMSFs are increasing in popularity among younger investors, drawn by the investment control and fixed costs. But until a sufficient balance is achieved, it may be better to stay with a large fund.
The SPIVA Scorecard suggests that most Australian actively-managed funds underperform comparable market indexes, but this analysis can be challenged by a number of key assumptions.
The Royal Commission has severely damaged the reputations of many retail funds. While the CEO of the peak body for industry funds is not complacent, battles have been won.
Recent regulatory proposals expand the existing scale test to an outcomes test by determining annually whether the fund’s MySuper products are meeting the clients’ best interests. Similar tests can apply to SMSFs.
Extracts from Peter Costello's talk to super fund executives, where he criticises their self-interest and poor handling of the super policy debate. And from a prior speech, he backs Nick Sherry's call for simplicity.
The government guarantee on deposits has finally been legislated and based on information released by APRA you'd be forgiven for assuming that superannuation bank deposits would be covered. Not necessarily.
Defined benefit funds will be scarce in the future but their features shouldn't be forgotten. Defined contribution funds should be incorporating some of these features to their members' advantage as well their own.
Research shows most super fund investment managers consider tax implications when making their investment decisions. With the right tax knowledge and confidence, they could achieve even greater tax efficiency.
APRA's decision to continue to class deposits in public super fund as 'non-retail' makes it difficult for them to compete with banks and SMSFs. However, some in the industry still believe trustees can take a stand.
The top priority for all superannuation funds is improving member engagement, but most need to improve their techniques. It's one way to reduce the leakage of members, especially to SMSFs.
The funds management industry is undergoing consolidation and evolving rapidly, under pressure to provide better service and high returns while cutting costs. Chris Cuffe discusses the present and the future.
There’s as good a record as any, from the father of modern superannuation. The start of national superannuation was 4 September 1985, not seven years later when the superannuation guarantee started.
The ATO has released all the superannuation rates and thresholds that will apply from 1 July 2024. Here's what’s changing and what’s not, and some key considerations and opportunities in the lead up to 30 June and beyond.
Life has radically shifted with my brain cancer, and I don’t know if it will ever be the same again. After decades of writing and a dozen years with Firstlinks, I still want to contribute, but exactly how and when I do that is unclear.
Australia will have 3.7 million more people in a decade's time, though the growth won't be evenly distributed. Over 85s will see the fastest growth, while the number of younger people will barely rise.
Being rich is having a high-paying job and accumulating fancy houses and cars, while being wealthy is owning assets that provide passive income, as well as freedom and flexibility. Knowing the difference can reframe your life.
Investor disgust, consolidation, de-listings, price discounts, activist investors entering - it’s what typically happens at business cycle troughs, and it’s happening to LICs now. That may present a potential opportunity.
The $3 million super tax will capture retired, and soon to retire, public servants and politicians who are members of defined benefit superannuation schemes. Lobbying efforts for exemptions to the tax are intensifying.