Today
How to calculate your financial freedom number (and why you should)
Do you know the rule of 25? It’s one of the core tenets of the Financial Independence, Retire Early movement – or FIRE – and a useful starting point for mapping out long-term money goals.
- Lucy Dean
‘Excellent return’: How much your super is expected to grow this year
Soaring equities at home and abroad are pushing returns firmly into the double digits as 2024 draws to a close, research houses say.
- Hannah Wootton
This Month
Aveo auction heads to second round with big new asset in play
The company has won over big real estate groups such as Lendlease and Dexus for the right to develop the Manly Health and Wellbeing site, people close to the process say.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Super savings on track for 11pc return in 2024
A US sharemarket rally fuelled by Donald Trump’s clean election sweep is fuelling a strong end to 2024 for superannuation funds.
- Hannah Wootton
Cbus says $387,000 birthday party was in members’ interests
The industry fund used money earmarked for staff professional development to host a 40th birthday bash for more than 750 guests
- Hannah Wootton
Seven ways to future-proof your savings in case of early retirement
The secret ingredients to a good retirement are preparation and control, but life can be unpredictable. Here’s how to build flexibility into your plan.
- Michelle Bowes
So, you want to retire to Tuscany?
The idea of moving to Italy is alluring for retirees – la dolce vita, the food, the wine, the beauty, the prices. Just check these practicalities first.
- Sian Powell
Palisade Impact in $300m retirement living JV with Zig Inge Group
Palisade Impact is building a $300 million retirement living platform with Zig Inge Group, whose founder pioneered retirement living in Australia in the 70s.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
November
‘Out of order’ applies to all of ailing Victoria
Readers’ letters on the southern state’s economic malaise; the IPA’s infuence; Australia’s cricket defeat; fighting back against “battery boosters”; social media bans; retirement tips; and potential power blackouts.
Big Super’s reckoning has arrived
After 32 years of guaranteed inflows from workers and scant scrutiny, the $3.9 trillion industry faces customer fury over service, unclear investment practices and questionable governance.
- Hannah Wootton
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
AustralianSuper pays members back $4.2m over claims handling delays
The industry super giant is voluntarily compensating the loved ones of deceased members after an overhaul of its claims handling processes imposed tough new timelines.
- Hannah Wootton
- Sponsored
- Keyton
How retirement communities forge friendships and boost health
The importance of ensuring people stay healthier, more engaged, and better connected for longer is becoming clearer.
Sponsored
by Keyton
ASIC sues Cbus for ‘inordinate delays’ in claims worth millions
The super fund headed by former treasurer Wayne Swan has admitted that failing to process payments cost members $20 million. Past payouts suggest the figure could be closer to $1 billion.
- Updated
- Hannah Wootton
- Opinion
- Financial planners
A family road trip upended my thinking about how we advise retirees
Spending 130 hours in the car with my wife and daughters made me realise how easily we lose sight of what truly matters.
- Renato Mota
How Aware Super beat the sector’s reputation for bad customer service
The $180 billion super fund invested in service and advice before regulators forced it to. As the rest of the industry now scrambles to catch up, it’s eyeing bigger plans.
- Hannah Wootton
October
Super funds fork out $423m in marketing blitz
Superannuation funds spent millions of members’ retirement savings on marketing, including sponsorships of AFL and NRL clubs.
- Hannah Wootton
Why using your super to help pay your mortgage is the 'rational' choice
Grattan Institute's Brendan Coates says he expects to use some super to pay off his mortgage and that is the rational choice for many Australians.
- Updated
Super funds told bigger must be better for customers, too
The $3.9 trillion sector needs to start making good on its promise that scale would lead to better customer service and financial outcomes for members, ASIC says.
- Hannah Wootton
How to make a six-figure salary writing newsletters
Inside the colourful, sometimes niche and wacky world of newsletter publishing. Some, like James Check and Alec Dejanovic, have made a full-time job of it.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
APRA to ‘test the limits’ of law on super funds that fudge expenses
The warning is part of a broad crackdown on funds’ spending big on things that may not be in their members’ best financial interests, such as travel and entertainment.
- Hannah Wootton