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Sunday, 6 December 2020
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The timing of lodging a notice of intent to claim a tax deduction on super contributions and making partial rollovers or withdrawals can make a big difference to the amount allowed to be claimed.
Awareness of common misunderstandings in relation to the payment of death benefit pensions can assist in estate planning matters. Given the large amounts involved, seeking professional advice helps.
Parliament is not expected to sit until August, and the anticipated new super laws for contributions by people aged 65 and 66 may not pass. Only act on the proposals if the new law is actually passed.
Bankruptcy is surprisingly common but many people do not consider the impact on their SMSF. An undischarged bankrupt cannot continue as an SMSF trustee, but the impact can be managed.
Understanding how super is treated in the unfortunate event of bankruptcy can help make the best of a bad situation. It's not a simple matter of anything in super is unavailable to creditors.
Understanding the new work test exemption rules may enable individuals to maximise their contributions to super and thus their tax effective retirement savings.
On the sidelines of the Morningstar Conference, the Magellan co-founder reflects on the pandemic and which sectors are set to gain and lose. He says we were lucky the pandemic hit when it did (videos and transcripts).
Administration costs can rise for complexity, especially owning property in an SMSF, but fees are highly competitive from a wide range of service providers. The break-even cost is less than previously reported.
SMSF trustees often cite ‘control of my investments’ as the number one motivation for setting up their own fund. But it still makes sense to outsource some parts of a well-diversified portfolio.
The Retirement Income Review demonstrated limited understanding of the risks faced by self-funded retirees implementing rational human behaviour. Spending to qualify for the age pension is not a solution.
Average life expectancies are a weak predictor of individual outcomes, and it's better to consider a range of probable lifespans. A plan that lasts to the average will disappoint every second retiree.
Interest in 'quality' factor ETFs has increased this year, helped by very attractive returns. However, not all ETFs are created alike and there are divergences in portfolio traits which investors can identify.
Much has been written about the rise of 'zombie firms' which should have gone bankrupt, but new research should be comforting to economists and investors alike, with focus on a particular segment.