Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 440

Most Popular Articles of 2021

Each week, Firstlinks receives far more articles than we accept. We usually publish seven articles a week, with selections based on relevance of the topic for our audience, quality of the writing and expected popularity.

After almost a decade of publishing, we usually have a decent idea how popular an article will be. Sometimes, we publish an article which is fresh and smart although we know it will not attract high views. It will work well for a minority of readers and so it has a place. It's about the quality not only the metrics.

What distinguished 2021 was the number of articles that unexpectedly went 'viral'. While a typical good quality read on an investment topic might receive 5,000 views on our system, we had eight articles this year over 20,000 hits.

Often, an article hits a chord with a particular group, such as financial advisers, and it is widely circulated to their clients. Other times it is linked by other publications or social media and attracts a bigger audience. It is not easy to predict or cause these events.

The 10 most-read articles follow three themes. Based on our reader surveys, two categories - retirement planning and housing - are understandable given our relatively wealthy, self-directed and 'older' audience. The third is unexpected, the widespread interest in social security issues such as pension eligibility. Are the high views due to a desire to learn about current eligibility, the potential as a future safety net, or something else? Any feedback welcome.

(Click on the article to read it).

 

Title

Date

Hits

1

10 little-known pension traps prove the value of advice

15 Dec

48298

2

House prices surge but falls are common and coming

6 Oct

37272

3

10 reasons wealthy homeowners shouldn't receive welfare

15 Sep

33867

4

Check eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

22 Dec

27046

5

Unexpected results in our retirement income survey

11 Aug

21599

6

The looming excess of housing and why prices will fall

1 Sep

21395

7

Survey responses on pension eligibility for wealthy homeowners

22 Sep

20031

8

Stop treating the family home as a retirement sacred cow

27 Oct

20013

9

Three steps to planning your spending in retirement

7 Jul

19619

10

100 Aussies: five charts on who earns, pays and owns

6 Oct

19079

11

24 hot stocks and funds for 2021

6 Jan

18225

12

Three good comments from the pension asset test article

29 Sep

17550

13

Three all-time best tables for every adviser and investor

18 Aug

16900

14

Importance of remaining rational and why Bitcoin is worthless

4 Aug

16790

15

Invest in Australian value stocks before it is too late

24 Feb

15699

16

Turning point: the 2020s baby boom retirement surge

24 Mar

15128

17

Four simple strategies deliver long-term investing comfort

20 Jan

14813

18

Super changes, the Budget and 2021 versus 2022

12 May 

14802

19

Retirement income promise relies on spending capital

28 Jul

14416

20

400th Edition Special: 45 of the best investment ideas

24 Mar

14258

21

Five stocks that have worked well in our portfolios

25 Aug

14017

22

Great new ways the Government helps retirees

20 Jan 

14012

23

Finding sustainable dividend stocks on the ASX

30 Jun

13694

24

Grantham interview on the coming day of reckoning

2 Jun

13229

25

Two strong themes and companies that will benefit

20 Oct

13061

26

Five stock recoveries not hanging on COVID predictions

16 Jun

13030

27

Cut it out ... millionaires are not wealthy

20 Jan

12893

28

Hamish Douglass on why the movie hasn’t ended yet

15 Dec

12796

29

The risk-return tradeoff: What’s the right asset mix for a 5% return?

14 Apr

12518

30

How long will my retirement savings last?

7 Apr 

12382

31

Noel's share winners and loser plus budget reality check

19 May

12222

32

The hazards of asset allocation in a late-stage major bubble

13 Jan

12079

33

Five timeless lessons from a life in investing

28 Apr

11955

34

$100 billion! Five reasons investors are flocking to ETFs

10 Feb

11902

35

4 key materials for batteries and 9 companies that will benefit

13 Oct

11707

36

Buffett's favourite indicator versus all-in equities

21 Apr

11658

37

Peak to peak, which LIC managers performed during COVID?

16 Jun 

11293

38

In fact, most people have no super when they die

14 Apr

11158

39

Best and worst performing equity funds of 2020

13 Jan

11005

40

20 punches: my personal investments are not a forecast

8 Dec

11000

41

Why mega-tech growth are the best ‘value’ stocks in the market

7 Jul

10937

42

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 433 with weekend update

11 Nov

10821

43

Among key trends in Australian banks, one factor stands out

14 Jul

10808

44

Four bubbly market pockets show heightened risk for investors

10 Mar

10608

45

BHP v Rio v Fortescue: it's all about the iron ore price

2 Jun

10408

46

The sorry saga of housing affordability and ownership

29 Sep

10328

47

Reducing the $5,300 upfront cost of financial advice

20 Oct

10184

48

Why has Australia slipped down the global super ranks?

10 Nov

10162

 

Many thanks to the hundreds of experts who wrote for us in 2021 and we look forward to publishing the best again in 2022. And thanks to our readers of these and the hundreds of articles published each year.

 

Graham Hand is Managing Editor of Firstlinks. My thanks to Christian Townsend and James Renton from Master Publisher who provide and support our Content Management System for producing this table and for their quick responses throughout 2021.

The articles should be read in the context of when they were published, and they do not consider the personal circumstances of any investor. 

 

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Australian house prices close in on world record

Sydney is set to become the world’s most expensive city for housing over the next 12 months, a new report shows. Our other major cities aren’t far behind unless there are major changes to improve housing affordability.

The case for the $3 million super tax

The Government's proposed tax has copped a lot of flack though I think it's a reasonable approach to improve the long-term sustainability of superannuation and the retirement income system. Here’s why.

Tariffs are a smokescreen to Trump's real endgame

Behind market volatility and tariff threats lies a deeper strategy. Trump’s real goal isn’t trade reform but managing America's massive debts, preserving bond market confidence, and preparing for potential QE.

The super tax and the defined benefits scandal

Australia's superannuation inequities date back to poor decisions made by Parliament two decades ago. If super for the wealthy needs resetting, so too does the defined benefits schemes for our public servants.

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

Getting rich vs staying rich

Strategies to get rich versus stay rich are markedly different. Here is a look at the five main ways to get rich, including through work, business, investing and luck, as well as those that preserve wealth.

Latest Updates

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

Superannuation

The huge cost of super tax concessions

The current net annual cost of superannuation tax subsidies is around $40 billion, growing to more than $110 billion by 2060. These subsidies have always been bad policy, representing a waste of taxpayers' money.

Planning

How to avoid inheritance fights

Inspired by the papal conclave, this explores how families can avoid post-death drama through honest conversations, better planning, and trial runs - so there are no surprises when it really matters.

Superannuation

Super contribution splitting

Super contribution splitting allows couples to divide before-tax contributions to super between spouses, maximizing savings. It’s not for everyone, but in the right circumstances, it can be a smart strategy worth exploring.

Economy

Trump vs Powell: Who will blink first?

The US economy faces an unprecedented clash in leadership styles, but the President and Fed Chair could both take a lesson from the other. Not least because the fiscal and monetary authorities need to work together.

Gold

Credit cuts, rising risks, and the case for gold

Shares trade at steep valuations despite higher risks of a recession. Amid doubts that a 60/40 portfolio can still provide enough protection through times of market stress, gold's record shines bright.

Investment strategies

Buffett acolyte warns passive investors of mediocre future returns

While Chris Bloomstan doesn't have the track record of his hero, it's impressive nonetheless. And he's recently warned that today has uncanny resemblances to the 1990s tech bubble and US returns are likely to be disappointing.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.