How much super should I have at my age? We look at the average super balances for different age groups in Australia so you can see how your super savings compare. A healthy super balance can be a key ingredient in being able to live the life we want in retirement. But for many people, retirement is a long way off, and it can be hard to know if your super is on track. If you’ve …
New legislation aims to benefit first home buyers Changes aimed at improving housing affordability have passed through parliament. See what the new rules could mean for you. Government proposals around improving housing affordability in Australia were passed through parliament on 7 December 20171. As part of the changes, first-home buyers will be given a tax concession through the ability to save for a home deposit inside of super, while Australians aged 65 and over will be able to contribute …
See how you can cash in on government co-contributions If you’ve made an after-tax contribution to your super fund, you might be eligible for a co-contribution of up to $500 from the government. Did you know the government may add up to $500 to your super fund, if you’re a low to middle-income earner who has made an after-tax contribution to your super? If you’d like to know more, we explain how government co-contributions work, …
7 ways to boost your super Investing in your super now may help you live the life you desire in retirement. By the time you retire, your super will likely represent one of your biggest assets. It’s real money and it’s your money, so putting some thought into making contributions today may help you achieve the lifestyle you want in retirement. But remember that the money you contribute into super will be subject to preservation …
Self-employed? There’s still time to grow your super While approximately 1.3 million Aussies run their own show, one in five has no superannuation at all. Many Australians see self-employment as a goal worth aiming for. But running your own show can mean retiring with very little in super savings – one in five self-employed people have no super at all compared to just 8% of employees. Self-employed women are especially hard hit. Among women aged …
Investment bonds – a possible alternative to superannuation Because many people can no longer put as much money into super, an investment bond may provide another way to save for retirement. On 1 July last year, the amount of money many Australians could put into superannuation was reduced as a result of the introduction of more restrictive contribution caps. Consequently, some people were left asking the question – I have money or I expect to …
Can I put money into super when I’m 65 or over? If it’s a voluntary contribution, you’ll need to have worked for at least 40 hours within a 30-day period under work test requirements. If you’re 65 or over, you can continue to build your superannuation with compulsory employer contributions (such as Super Guarantee contributions your employer pays where you are eligible). However, if you’re making voluntary contributions, which you may do through salary sacrifice (which is …
Why it pays to contribute to your partner’s super If your other half is a stay-at-home parent, working part-time or out of work, adding to their super could benefit you both financially. If your spouse (husband, wife, de facto or same-sex partner) is a low-income earner or not working at the moment, chances are they’re accumulating little or no super at all to fund their retirement. The good news is, if you want to help …
How would your superannuation stack up if paid as a monthly salary? Your super balance might look good as a lump sum figure, but would it suffice if divided into regular monthly repayments in retirement? Superannuation is likely to be one of the biggest assets most of us will ever own, with expectations it could become the average Aussie’s greatest asset, overtaking the family home, in the coming decades1. If you checked your super balance …
Do you make up the age group with the most lost super? With almost $18 billion of super money unclaimed in Australia, it’s worth knowing if any of it’s yours and how to go about getting it. If you noticed cash was missing from your wallet, it’s more than likely you’d look for it. But, what if the money you lost track of was your superannuation? Would you notice it was gone? Would you know …
