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Wednesday, 2 December 2020
Recently trending Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 383Five ways the Retirement Review points to new policiesGraeme Shaw on why investing is at a pivotal momentRetirement Review gives strong views on hoarding of super11 key findings on retirement dreams during the pandemic
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Such is the concern among unions and Labor about Government plans to undermine superannuation that an 'Emergency Summit' was called this week, and pioneer Bill Kelty evoked a social commitment.
The amount of retirement savings withdrawn under the Superannuation Early Release Scheme has surprised many. This comprehensive survey of thousands of Cbus members explains their motivations.
The latest SMSF data shows retirees favour listed shares and cash to maintain liquidity. SMSFs continue to grow, and the new super rules led to changes in contributions, payments and lump sums.
Taking a realistic view of the median ‘operating expense’ of an SMSF shows they cost less to run than previously claimed. Look at this granular breakdown and see how the costs of running your SMSF compare.
The APRA Capability Review pushes a focus onto member outcomes, but how will the regulator drill down into the product level in an efficient manner? It may create dysfunctional behaviours among super funds.
SMSFs are being targeted by property marketers, but is a single, illiquid investment a good super strategy, with its associated leverage? ASIC is worried SMSF trustees are not seeing the full picture, so we went looking.
Major institutional asset managers struggled to meet their long-term return objectives last year, and conditions are not expected to improve. But the market usually throws up opportunities to outperform.
Australian superannuation funds have experienced almost double the growth of their global counterparts in the last five years, with 16 funds appearing in the top 300 by total assets.
The Government and industry are looking for ways to improve our superannuation system. The Swiss have been looking after other people's money longer than anyone.
Although nothing clear has been announced, adverse changes are coming to superannuation, especially for people with large balances. And they want retirees to spend more, not leave bequests.
A survey of high net worth people - those who would be adversely affected by a tax on super earnings in pension phase - showed many were willing to accept such a policy, but not without a healthy level of qualification.
David Murray and Don Russell spoke at a leadership forum as part of the SMSF Association's 2015 Conference on the future of Australia’s retirement income system. They included many valuable insights.
One of the downsides of Donald Trump commanding the headlines is that we skim over other significant issues. For example, few Australians read the China Daily News or coverage of its contents, missing official statements that are terrifying hundreds of Australian producers. China says Australia will 'pay tremendously' for its recent lack of respect.
The Retirement Income Review goes much further than an innocent-sounding 'fact base', and is sure to guide policies in the run up to the next election. It will change how we think about retirement incomes.
Company profits have not improved for many years but higher valuations have been driven by falling rates and excess liquidity. Conditions do not suit a value and contrarian manager but here are some opportunities.
The Review includes some profound findings, most notable that retirement income should include drawing down far more capital. Expect post-retirement products to proliferate under a Retirement Income Covenant.
A mid-pandemic survey of over 1,000 people near or in retirement found three in four are not confident how long their money will last. Only 18% felt their money was safe during a strong economic downturn.
Banks severely cut dividends in 2020 but are expected to improve payments in 2021. History provides clues to when the banks will return to their 2019 levels of profitability, but who is positioned the best?