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21 May 2025
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Recent legal cases involving Westpac and BT put to rest any view that 'caveat emptor' (buyer beware) applies to 'no' and 'general' advice service models, even though those models do not attract a best interests duty.
SMSFs are currently the largest segment of superannuation, but by 2020, industry funds are expected to dominate, having recently overtaken retail funds. Labor's franking proposal will accelerate the trend.
Selecting 10 winners from hundreds of alternatives presents major challenges, and there are no guarantees past performance will continue. It mainly targets only $1 billion from the $150 billion contributed each year.
APRA and the ATO do not measure fund performance in the same way. The discrepancy can cause SMSF performance to appear worse than it actually is, and better collaboration between regulators is required.
It's often said that 'A man is not a financial plan'. A Practice Director in a successful business shares some of her life tips on financial independence for women aiming to self-fund their retirement.
The Productivity Commission is undertaking a review into the competitiveness and efficiency of Australia's super system. These key points are taken from the draft report, including a neat 'piggy' graphic.
The Productivity Commission report recommends young workers should be given a 'best in show' shortlist of super funds set by an independent process.
Treasurer Scott Morrison on superannuation engagement and why the recent changes were essential, and in fact, have no impact on the vast majority of people.
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.
Highlights of the Productivity Commission's report on superannuation for post-retirement. The PC shows people don't waste their super spending lump sums and estimates the savings from moving super access to 65.
Tightening pension eligibility is not as simple as just upping the age limit. There are valid arguments for and against any increase and it will depend on the details whether it will be good policy or not.
Labor has announced a $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program, aimed at slashing the cost of home batteries. The goal is to turbocharge battery uptake, though practical difficulties may prevent that happening.
The famed investor says the rapid switch from globalisation to trade wars is the biggest upheaval in the investing environment since World War Two. And a new world requires a different investment approach.
The boss of Australia’s fourth largest super fund by assets, UniSuper’s John Pearce, says Trump has declared an economic war and he’ll be reducing his US stock exposure over time. Should you follow suit?
Every crisis throws up opportunities. Here are ideas to capitalise on this one, including ‘overbalancing’ your portfolio in stocks, buying heavily discounted LICs, and cherry picking bombed out sectors like oil and gas.
While many chase high yields, true investment power lies in companies that steadily grow dividends. This strategy, rooted in patience and discipline, quietly compounds wealth and anchors investors through market turbulence.
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.