1 July 2026

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Edition 191

24 February 2017

At the SMSF Association Conference last week, Minister Kelly O'Dwyer quoted from a Cuffelinks article by Paul Keating. The context was his surprise at the growth of SMSFs, but another part of the article was overlooked. He wrote, "the SGC (Superannuation Guarantee Charge) was not introduced as a welfare measure to supplement the incomes of the low paid. It was principally designed for Middle Australia, those earning ... one to two times average weekly ordinary time earnings ... for Middle Australia, the SGC and salary sacrifice was and is the way forward."

Stop the tinkering and bring on the ideas

Martin Fahy
23 February 2017
7

ASFA chief calls on baby boomers to redefine retirement, doubts fintech will disrupt, loathes dinner party freakonomics, believes brands work and wants a market full of fresh ideas not policy tinkering.

Super complex: the advice gift keeps on giving

Graham Hand
23 February 2017
12

The increasing complexity of super would leave the fathers of Australia’s system wondering what has happened to their brainchild. Advisers and clients are struggling with the complexity before the looming deadlines.

Home is where the care is

Rachel Lane
23 February 2017
3

Changes to Home Care Packages effective 27 February 2017 allow care recipients to choose their own care providers and offer better portability when relocating.

Unwelcome consequences of US trade policies

Vimal Gor
23 February 2017

Trump’s vision for US trade policy might suit US corporates and Middle America, but the rest of the world will suffer the consequences. Income inequality and environmental setbacks are other unwelcome effects.

‘Episodic’ market volatility ahead for 2017

Simon Ho
23 February 2017
2

Contrary to popular understanding, markets have been below normal volatility levels in the last year, but it might be time to prepare portfolios for greater volatility and a potential downturn in 2018.

When a company is a money pit

Nimalan Govender, Peter Bull
23 February 2017
3

Not all business use their capital in the most productive way, and investors need to recognise when companies are struggling to generate cash flows to pay off debts when due.

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