The proposal to add superannuation contributions to the Commonwealth-funded Paid Parental Leave Scheme (PPL Scheme) has now been enacted. Superannuation contributions (called PPL Superannuation Contributions) will be payable in respect of 2025/26 and subsequent financial years at the rate of 12% (which will be the SG rate for 2025/26 and following financial years) of the total amount of eligible Parental Leave Paid during the financial year. After the close of the financial year, the ATO will pay the PPL Superannuation Contribution to the individual’s nominated super fund.
Read MoreHow do you start accessing your super funds when you stop working, or maybe even before you stop working? This covers the basics, including how to switch your super accumulation account to an account-based pension.
Read MoreReviewing your super is a small investment of time that can result in a large return. Superannuation is one of the most effective vehicles for Australian investors saving for their retirement. It has favourable tax rates, compulsory contributions going in from employers, and difficult conditions of release meaning no temptation to access it prior to retirement. If you’ve never reviewed your super, here are a few steps to get you started. Small changes can have a meaningful impact to your retirement outcomes in the future.
Read MoreDespite recent sentiment about using super as a band aid for Australia’s housing crisis, the original intention of the scheme was to provide funds for those in retirement and reduce reliance on the age pension. Australians have accumulated a total of $3.9 trillion in superannuation assets (June 2024).
Read MoreThis week's Chart of the Week comes from the State of Retirement Income Report 2024. It looks at where asset allocation and retirement withdrawal rates meet. What's a safe amount to take out of your retirement pot each year to fund your life?
Read MoreThe surviving spouse has a lot to think about when a member of an SMSF dies. While it pays to understand the options quickly, often they’re best served by moving a little more slowly before making final decisions.
Read MoreThe intergenerational wealth transfer will see many assets bequeathed. Most of these assets won’t be cash. Share portfolios are a common way that beneficiaries will receive assets – especially when the owner is an income investor that is living off dividends without drawing down on the capital of the portfolio.
Read MoreMark, Director of Personal Finance Morningstar Australia, answers a reader question about investing outside of super. Mark answers a reader question about investing outside of super.
Read MoreThe regulations implementing the Legacy Pension Reforms have now been registered and are effective on and from 7 December 2024. This means that the five year commutation window has now commenced and will cease on 6 December 2029.
Read MoreEstate planning goes beyond just preparing a will – it's about wealth and assets being protected, preserved, and passed down to your loved ones the way you intended.
Read MoreThree things to consider when planning for an early retirement. Few of us go through our entire careers without at least thinking about the prospects of retiring early. Perhaps it is after a difficult period at work. Perhaps after a special vacation.
Read MoreAddressing retirees' fears of running out of money is essential for enhancing their quality of life. One of the biggest fears for retirees is running out of money during retirement and the impact this may have on their quality of life. With this in mind, many retirees only draw down the minimum of their account-based pension and lack the confidence to spend their retirement savings. They later regret being overly frugal in their early years of retirement. This is called ‘Regret Risk’.
Read MoreSuperannuation remains a highly tax-effective way for most Australians to save for retirement, offering concessional tax treatment of contributions and favourable tax rates on earnings within the structure. However, the proposed superannuation Division 296 tax on earnings of balances above $3 million1 requires careful consideration when developing financial planning strategies.
Read MoreUntil recently, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) stated that the average yearly self-managed super fund (SMSF) running cost was $13,900—a figure hotly contested by practitioners.
Read MoreI recently wrote an article on how much you need to save to have a comfortable retirement. I thought I would turn this around and look at the return side of things. This is my attempt to figure out what return is required to have a comfortable retirement at different savings levels.
Read MoreMost Australians don’t realise they are being charged up to six different types of fees on their superannuation. These fees can be opaque and hard to compare across different funds and investment options.
Read MoreUsing the family home to fund aged care can be a complicated decision, with many interdependent factors to consider.
Read MoreFrom 20 September 2024, the maximum rate of the Age Pension has increased by $28.10 (single rate) and $42.40 (combined rate) per fortnightly instalment period. The Age Pension is increased each 20 March and 20 September.
Read MoreThere are four steps which must be completed to successfully claim a tax deduction for your personal superannuation contributions. If one or more steps are missing or not completed, the Commissioner of Taxation has no discretion to overlook those missing or incomplete steps.
Read MoreIf a pension commences as a non-reversionary pension can that pension be made reversionary without stopping and restarting the pension? The answer is a simple and definite “Yes” if the pension is an account style pension (such as account based pensions and transition to retirement pensions) and the governing rules expressly permit pensions to be varied.
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