Why industry super funds are less tax efficient?

The treatment of taxation liabilities hinges on the investment structure of your superannuation. That is, pooled super funds like industry funds subtract tax before it’s paid. This is an important factor to consider because, depending on the amount of your super balance, it can have a significant effect on your retirement savings. While tax implications …

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Should you invest your super in property with borrowings?  

In 2007, laws changed to allow SMSFs to borrow for property investments if they met specific compliance rules. This led to a surge in super-funded property investments from 2007 to 2017, totalling around $45 billion. However, major banks withdrew SMSF borrowing products between 2017 and 2018 and super contribution rules were tightened, making this strategy …

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Are there major changes to super on the horizon?

The Albanese government’s first Federal Budget last month was a bit of a fizzer in that there wasn’t much in the way of changes that affected investors and superannuants. However, subsequent murmurs by politicians’ hint at proposed changes that the government may be contemplating. In particular, I wanted to address these potential super changes and …

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2022 super returns: Whilst industry super fund is best?

2022 super returns: Superannuation returns for the 2021/22 financial year were mostly negative. However, we shouldn’t forget that the previous 18-month period (i.e., mid-2020 to the end of calendar year 2021) was stellar, so we must keep a longer-term perspective. And the winner is… The table below sets out investment returns for the largest 8 …

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Super: What are your options when you retire?

Even though its compulsory to invest money in superannuation, many people do not understand their options once they retire. This blog provides a summary. However, of course, everyone’s situation is different. Some super funds have different rules and there may be exceptions to some rules, so it’s important you receive personalised advice from an independent …

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How to ensure your superannuation will be paid to your intended beneficiary

Twenty-three-year-old, Ashleigh Petrie nominated her mother as the sole beneficiary of her super. However, Ashleigh’s 63-year-old fiancé was successful in claiming her full super balance after she died in a car accident. Ashleigh was in a relationship with her fiancé, Rodney Higgins for only 7 months (living together for four of them). This story highlights …

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How to make the most out of your super increase

After 1 July this year, your employer must increase your super contributions from 9.5% to 10% of your salary. This contribution rate will then increase by 0.5% p.a. for the subsequent 4 years until it reaches 12%. This could boost your retirement savings but only if you optimise two things. The government was tempted to …

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