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24 August 2025

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Edition: 201

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Edition 201

  • 12 May 2017

Compared with the superannuation carnage of last year's Budget, 2017 was relatively mild, with two changes which are likely to have a marginal impact. We take a look at the fine print, plus several of our sponsors have provided more detailed Budget reviews below.

Budget super changes impact at the margins

Budget 2017 outlined two changes to superannuation rules, both in an attempt to improve home affordability. One makes a small reduction in the tax burden for savers, while the other allows more money into super.

Market’s big names weigh into index debate

The distinction between active and index management is increasingly blurred, while active managers as a group face large outflows and struggle to justify their fees. There are big players on both sides.

Index funds lack checks on stocks they buy

The economics of Australia’s biggest listed companies will not turn significantly more positive in the next 10 years. Don’t expect the large cap-weighted indices to produce returns any better.

Active versus passive: there’s more to it

Long gone are the days when 'passive' investing meant simply replicating a cap-weighted index, especially with the surge in 'active' and 'factor-based' funds such as smart beta. We need more nuanced definitions.

How to preserve estate money in super

The transfer balance cap affects the amount of a deceased member’s benefits that can be paid to the surviving spouse as a pension or income stream, but there’s a way to retain it in the super system.

Managing for retirement income

Latest thinking on retirement in the US devises a risk management strategy that allocates assets in a trade-off between growth assets versus more conservative 'risk management' assets.

Productivity Commission: super efficiency but at what cost?

Government-sponsored reviews often focus on costs and efficiencies because they are easier to measure, but far greater gains can be made if the super system is encouraged to innovate, even if it comes with costs.

Not all equity income funds are the same

Equity income funds have been popular but they come in many different guises, and investors should know about the market exposure and the use of options strategies.

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