Should I take my super as a lump sum? Taking your super as a lump sum might be tempting, but it won’t be the best option for everyone. You’ve probably spent much of your working life accumulating super. So, when the time comes and you’re able to access it, you might be wondering whether you’d be better off taking the money as a lump sum, income stream, or even a bit of both. To help you make …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Simple money steps for women The same approach to managing day-to-day money can be applied to long-term investments. It was Carrie Bradshaw, of Sex and the City fame, who said: ‘I like my money where I can see it – hanging in my closet.’ While that might sound trite, it’s not far from the truth for many women. Most of us are more comfortable dealing with day-to-day money and the tangible things it can be …
Millions but not all to benefit from 2017 super changes With changes to super now in effect, numerous Australians will get a leg up, many being low-income earners. According to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), more than four million Australians will benefit from the super changes that came into effect on 1 July 2017.i The industry body said while many would be impacted by new rules and restrictions, millions would benefit from …
Superannuation and the financial ties that bind They say, only one thing in life is certain. And while we would rather plan our next holiday than consider what’s going to happen when we die, it is one inevitable event that we should all plan for. When someone dies, it’s a very difficult time for all the family. A Will provides some assurances as to how our money will be distributed. But what about superannuation? …
