13 November 2026

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Division 296: the initial moves to make before the windows close The retirement scorecard: how many of these questions can you answer?Testamentary trusts: Treasury has picked the wrong reading Superannuation’s structural failings Avoid unnecessary CGT with this estate planning clause

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Home / 486

Edition: 486

1-8 out of 8 results.

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 486 with weekend update

1 December 2022

Markets seem fixated on whether the US Federal Reserve will change policy and slow hikes in interest rates. Arguably, an issue that’s just as important, if not more so, is when China will ease Covid lockdowns.

Super is about equity and fairness

Jon Kalkman
30 November 2022
59

The superannuation system has led to intergenerational envy about the tax benefits flowing to retirees. That envy wouldn't exist if super had been structured differently at inception, as Paul Keating originally envisaged.

Fierce debate among Firstlinks’ readers over ‘super inequities’

James Gruber
30 November 2022
37

The equity or inequity of super tax breaks for retirees has provoked intense debate among Firstlinks' readers. Some view them as a travesty while others believe they're fair and what the system was designed to do.

Four principles for choosing the right active manager

Shane Woldendorp
30 November 2022
5

Investors face a difficult decision when choosing their fund managers. Here's a guide for how they can find active managers with sustainable long-term advantages who can help make a difference to their portfolios.

Hunting for value in fixed income

Tim Dowling
30 November 2022
1

After a dismal year, bonds' prospects are brightening. For investors looking to maximise returns from investment grade assets while also reducing interest rate risk, asset backed securities and RMBS provide opportunities.

Where are the opportunities in small caps?

Simon Brown
30 November 2022
1

The decline in the small cap market this year has created opportunities in sectors such as tech, consumer discretionary and building materials. Stocks benefitting from the renewable energy push are also attractive.

Hold fire on your fund manager over short-term declines

Andrew Mitchell
30 November 2022
5

Even if you possess godlike skills, you can’t avoid big drawdowns. The lesson for investors is they need to back the long-term track record of their fund manager through the volatility to outperform in their portfolios.

Is it finally time to move on from crypto after FTX?

James Gruber
30 November 2022
4

Cryptocurrency advocates are in total denial that their war against fiat currency has ended. FTX’s downfall should prove the final straw as the the world is moving on from crypto mania and it'll be better off for it.

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Most viewed in recent weeks

Division 296: the initial moves to make before the windows close

What if the best superannuation strategy isn't about earning more, but acting before your options disappear? Several overlooked planning windows are narrowing, with consequences that can last for decades.

Liam Shorte
28 October 2026

The retirement scorecard: how many of these questions can you answer?

From the maths of retirement, estimating spending and picking the right asset allocation to survive a poor decade, here are the questions every retiree – current or future – should be able to answer for themselves.

Mark LaMonica CFA
14 October 2026

Testamentary trusts: Treasury has picked the wrong reading

A decades-old estate planning tool has survived one tax crackdown only to be caught by another. The surprise isn't who the reform is targeting, but who could end up paying the price for drafting choices made years ago.

Rachael Rofe
21 October 2026

Superannuation’s structural failings

Politicians are fighting over access to super, but they may be arguing about the wrong thing. The system’s three fundamental flaws have been hiding in plain sight for decades, costing Australians far more than they realise.

Ron Bird
4 November 2026

Avoid unnecessary CGT with this estate planning clause

A simple estate plan can create a ticking time bomb. One overlooked clause can pit spouses against children, delay inheritances, and potentially leave a family facing an unexpected tax bill worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Shani Jayamanne
28 October 2026

Higher yields are creating opportunities in global bonds

Bond markets are adjusting to a new reality, but not in the ways investors expect. With markets repricing and capital competing for attention, investors may need to rethink where resilience and opportunity lie.

Eric Souders
7 October 2026

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