Superannuation and separation: Who keeps the money? Depending on the situation, you might get some of your ex-partner’s super, or they may get some of yours. A divorce from your husband or wife, or a separation from your de facto, could mean a division of your assets and debts, whether they’re held separately or together, and superannuation is no exception. Another thing to note is even if one of you hasn’t contributed to super for many …
Are you entitled to a tax deduction on personal super contributions? This financial year is the first time that employees can claim a tax deduction for their personal super contributions. Personal super contributions made during the 2017-18 financial year can now be claimed as a tax deduction by most Australian workers. This follows changes made by the government which came into effect on 1 July 2017. Previously, only the self-employed, unemployed, retirees, or those who …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Separating fact from fiction when it comes to superannuation If you’re wondering whether super is improving retirement outcomes for Australians, we take a look at some of the findings. If you’ve got compulsory super contributions coming out of your wages or salary, or you’re making voluntary contributions, or both, you’re probably keen to know how super is making a difference to everyday Aussies, if at all, given it’s a system that has now been in …
Online learning Inform your financial decisions Understanding superannuation Online learning: Super basics We make super easy to understand so you have the chance to turn your super money into a small fortune! Start now Online learning: Choosing your super fund Not all super funds are the same. We cover the different types of funds so you can compare them and make the right choice for you. Start now Online learning: Property and super What if …
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? …
It pays to contribute to your partner’s super If your spouse 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 help by contributing some of …
