Rob Henshaw"When I open my computer each day the first link I click on is Cuffelinks - a really great read."
Jonathan Hoyle, CEO, Stanford Brown:"A fabulous publication. The only must-read weekly publication for the Australian wealth management industry."
Steve:"The best that comes into our world each week. This is the only one that is never, ever canned before fully being reviewed by yours truly."
Australian Investors Association:"Australia's foremost independent financial newsletter for professionals and self-directed investors."
Reader Survey Response:"In a sea of finance media, Cuffelinks stands a cut above the rest for its plain-English drafting and topical insights. Keep up the great work."
Reader Survey Response:"It is just right for me. I can quickly sort the items that I am interested in, then research them more fully. It is also a regular reminder that I need to get off my backside and do this."
Reader Survey Response:"Cuffelinks is excellent so please don't pollute the content with boring mainstream financial 'waffle' and adverts for stuff we don't want!"
Reader Survey Response:"I recommend Cuffelinks as the BEST in the game because of diversity and not aligned to financial products. Stands above all the noise."
Reader Survey Response:"Carry on as you are - well done. The average investor/SMSF trustee needs all the help they can get."
Reader Survey Response:"Congratulations on a great focussed news source. Australia suffers from a dearth of good quality "unbiased" financial and wealth management news sources."
Reader Survey Response:"I subscribe to two newsletters. Cuffelinks, this is my first read of the week. Thank you. Excellent and please keep up the good work!"
Reader Survey Response:"Love it, just keep doing what you are doing. It is the right length too, any longer and it might become a bit overwhelming."
Reader Survey Response:"Great resource. Cuffelinks is STILL the one and only weekly newsletter I regularly read."
Reader Survey Response:"An island of professionalism in an ocean of shallow self-interest. Well done!"
Vishal Teckchandani, Content Editor, nabtrade:"Exceptional investment literature of the highest possible quality."
David Goldschmidt, Chartered Accountant:"I find this a really excellent newsletter. The best I get. Keep up the good work!"
Don Stammer, leading Australian economist:
"Congratulations to all associated with Cuffelinks. It deserves the good following it has."
John Egan, Egan Associates:
"My heartiest congratulations on an outstanding newsletter. Your panel of contributors is very impressive and continue to keep your readers fully informed."
Reader survey response:" Finding a truly independent and interesting read has been magical for me. Please keep it up and don't change!"
Reader Survey response:"Cuffelinks is one of very few places an investor can go and not have product rammed down their throat. Love your work!"
Eleanor Dartnall, AFA Adviser of the Year, 2014:
"Our clients love your newsletter. Your articles are avidly read by advisers and they learn a great deal in so doing."
Reader Survey response:"Keep it up - the independence is refreshing and is demonstrated by the variety of well credentialed commentators. Allow the articles to be as long as needed to cover the topic."
Reader Survey response:"The best innovation I have seen whilst an investor for 25 years, particularly in superannuation. The writers are brilliant. A great publication which I look forward to every week."
Ian Kelly, CFP, BTACS Financial Services:"Probably the best source of commentary and information I have seen over the past 20 years – the last 15 as an adviser."
Ian Silk, Chief Executive, AustralianSuper:"Cuffelinks has become part of my required reading: quality thinking, and the writing is sharp and (mercifully) to the point."
John Pearce, Chief Investment Officer, Unisuper:"Out of the (many many) investment-related emails I get, Cuffelinks is one that I always open."
Noel Whittaker, author and Australia’s foremost financial adviser:"Cuffelinks is a fabulous weekly newsletter that is packed full of independent financial advice."
Andrew Buchan, Partner, HLB Mann Judd:"I have told you a thousand times the best newsletter is Cuffelinks."
The tax benefits of holding money in an SMSF come with a responsibility to follow the rules, and the penalties can be severe for what seem like innocent or mistaken breaches.
It sounds arcane but it could be costly. For the first time, about 44,000 individuals will receive their first Division 293 notice early in 2019, and it will surprise many.
Labor thinks disallowing excess franking will generate billions of dollars of additional revenues, but there is growing evidence that behaviour changes will severely limit the amount raised.
Where once it was difficult to differentiate between the superannuation policies of the two major political parties, the 2019 Federal Election will deliver some stark choices for voters.
An edited extract from the Cuffelinks Facebook page shows how widespread the debate on Labor’s franking has become, and the majority of people need a simple, logical explanation on how franking actually works.
The transfer balance cap has required some large SMSFs to transfer pension money back to accumulation, and the two pools must be treated carefully to maintain the full benefits from superannuation.
Labor’s proposal on franking credits is not only facing considerable opposition, but it is also encouraging people to consider future ways to utilise the credits. It is a chance to think deeper about estate planning.
One person’s unjust retrospective policy change is another’s overdue and necessary reform. Did people objecting about unfavourable policy retrospectivity complain when they benefitted from a retrospective change?
A reader thought Noel Whittaker’s article last week reported an ‘incredible’ claim, so more detail is provided on the correct documentation and management of Transfer Balance Caps.
A significant compliance breach can materially affect the tax effectiveness of your SMSF, so check you are complying with these seven steps and stay on top of the administration and obligations.
There has been a massive focus on the maximum allowed in a tax-free pension of $1.6 million, but what happens if your portfolio rises in value and you exceed it? Should you worry about it?
In considering whether setting up an SMSF is the right decision for you, weigh up compliance obligations and cost with the main advantages SMSFs offer over other super funds. The 6 key positives are enumerated here.
Increases in longevity, and the numerous changes to the super system since inception, have mostly worked against self-funded retirees. Meanwhile, politicians and bureaucrats enjoy far superior retirement benefits.
Even for this experienced SMSF technical services executive, the tighter rules for borrowing in his SMSF brought some unexpected problems. It’s much harder now than most people realise.