Nation’s worst super losses ever
THE average Australian lost $3000 in superannuation last month as the nation’s super funds took one of their biggest hits on record.
Superannuation
Pre-retirees can avoid a hefty tax bill
PAINFUL as it is, this year’s share market plunge might deliver some handy financial benefits to pre-retirees.
Super jargon confusing investors
WORDING used in super funds’ paperwork is often vague, meaningless, confusing and a selective use of truth, according to research.
Super ‘to double’ within 10 years
SUPER funds have taken a direct hit from the global financial crisis, but should at least double in value in another 10 years.
Prepare for lean retirement years
RETIREMENT plans need to make provisions for volatile market times like we’re experiencing now, experts say.
Crisis crushes boomers’ retirement dreams
DREAMS of a life of ease over a long retirement have been shattered for many boomers as the economic meltdown shrinks savings.
Aussies in world’s list of poorest
AUSTRALIA’S retirees are the fourth poorest in the developed world, a report card on poverty has found.
Lost super fortune hits $12.9bn
IF Australia’s lost super funds were evenly distributed, every man, woman and child would receive a cheque for more than $600.
Rudd back-pedalling on cash pledge
OLDER Australians could be forced to wait beyond the next Budget for a long-overdue pension boost promised by Treasurer Wayne Swan.
Value of super plunges $100bn
AT least $100bn has been wiped off the value of super savings since last September as the financial crisis bites.
DIY investors stick to super strategy
MOST investors in DIY super funds are leaving their long-term investment plans unchanged despite the tumbling share markets.
Look on the bright side for super funds
AS you watch your super nest egg erode in value, try to look on the bright side as funds make the most of bargain-basement prices.
Sliding super still the way to go
DON’T panic about your super savings despite the diabolical state of the sharemarket, experts say.
Super funds take $100bn hit
MORE than $100 billion has been wiped out of Aussie superannuation funds as the global financial meltdown worsens.
Super savaged in share rout
AUSTRALIANS on the verge of retirement will have to stay in the work force for two or three more years as their super drains away.
DIY is not a super choice for everyone
SINKING super returns are tempting people to think about taking a do-it-yourself approach, but financial experts warn it pays to be wary.
Australians’ super savings dive
THE horror year for super funds is getting worse – with the average fund now down nearly 10 per cent.
Super funds face climate change risks
CLIMATE change poses one of the greatest long-term risks for super funds, an industry conference has been told.
Gillard ‘couldn’t survive’ on aged pension
DEPUTY Prime Minister Julia Gillard admits she couldn’t survive on the age pension.
Super slide drives retirees to pension
DWINDLING super returns are forcing thousands of self-funded retirees on to the aged pension
Protecting your cash in retirement
THE burning question many retirees have is how to protect their capital. Where do you park your money that is truly safe?
Prepare for more super changes
MORE changes to super laws are on the way as part of the Federal Government’s sweeping review of the tax system.
How much money do you need to retire?
SUPERANNUATION savings have been hit recently, but the cost of living a comfortable retirement is rising. See how much you’ll need.
Retirees forced back to work
THE huge hit to superannuation savings is forcing some pensioners back into the workforce and making others delay retirement.
Baby boomers ‘can’t afford to retire’
FEWER than 20pc of baby boomers have enough super and insurance cover to fund their health care in retirement, a new study finds
Retirement not looking so super
ANNUAL superannuation statements due out in the next few weeks will give some cause for doubts about retirement savings.
Families bleeding dry retirement savings
SOME baby boomers may miss out on the pot of gold at the end of their working lives because of two things: their parents and children.
How to cope with the super blowout
NOW that most of us have “enjoyed” a negative superannuation return for the past year, what can we do about it?
Billions gone as super shrinks
YOUR retirement savings took a dive in June, thanks to a choppy month on the share market.
How much has your super fund lost?
CHANCES are your super fund has lost money this financial year. Take a look at the best and worst performing funds.
Can you afford to be a grey nomad?
IF YOU plan to become a grey nomad make sure you’re financially fit before you hit the road, with these expert tips.
Nest eggs can be guilt free
RETIRING in comfort may be something most of us aim for, but retiring with a clear conscience may not be an obvious priority.
Warning on dodgy super asset valuations
INVESTORS and super fund members beware. The Australian Tax Office is on the lookout for dodgy asset valuations.
Give the kids a super boost
PARENTS and grandparents are being urged to give young workers a kick-start in super using the $1500 co-contribution scheme.
Market falls wipe $50bn off super savings
FALLS in the share market have wiped an estimated $50 billion off the value of workers’ superannuation funds.
Don’t let your super top-up attract a hit
AS the end of the tax year looms make sure you know your super contribution limits so you’re not stung with penalty tax rates.
Super strategies that still work
DESPITE some rule changes last month, superannuation remains the best place for boomers to place their retirement savings.
Reap super rewards with some tweaking
A SUPER strategy to implement before June 30 is to take advantage of the Government’s co-contribution if you earn less than $58,000.
Super funds will shun home savers
MOST not-for-profit super funds are unlikely to offer First Home Saver Accounts because they will be too hard and expensive to run.
Closing the superannuation gap
RETAIL superannuation funds look like closing the performance gap on their not-for-profit rivals, an industry expert says.
Super funds are back in the black
THE average superannuation fund has finally turned in a profit for the first month since October last year.
Pensioners struggling near poverty line
PENSIONERS on as little as $270 a fortnight are struggling to get by, and even forgoing family visits because of soaring petrol costs.
Advice at a price – the cost of commissions
NOT paying fees up-front doesn’t mean you’re getting free financial advice. Commissions cost Australians hundreds of millions a year.
Superannuation joins divorce spoils
WHEN a relationship fails, who gets the super? What happens when one person has worked full-time and the other hasn’t?
Stressed homeowners raiding super
HOMEOWNERS making a final desperate grab to save their homes from repossession are raiding their superannuation at an alarming rate.
$2.6bn government raid on super
THE Federal Government could grab more than $2bn with plans to seize the super of thousands of foreigners who have left the country.
Which super funds are holding up the best?
WHICH super funds are riding the global investment storm the best? Which funds are sinking? And, which are fudging their performance?
How women can restore super balance
THREE Cs summarise the key barriers to wealth creation for women: children, capacity to earn, and confidence.
Inflation could push tax cuts into super
THE jump in inflation is increasing pressure on the Government to channel some of its promised budget tax cuts into superannuation.
Don’t put all your eggs in super basket
PEOPLE now aged between 30 and 50 could end up worse off than their parents and grandparents if they rely solely on superannuation.
Alert on lending super stock
SUPERANNUATION funds could soon have to seek the approval of members to lend their stock to other institutions.
High hopes make retiring unaffordable
BABY Boomers are taking an active role to boost their retirement savings but fewer expect to be able to afford the lifestyle they want.
Savings deserve more care and attention
THE global economic downnturn has left a large crack in nest eggs, writes David Campbell
Tomorrow never comes for super top-ups
MOST Australians acknowledge the advantages of extra superannuation contributions but are reluctant to make them, ING Research finds.
Director admits duping retirees
THE director of a get-rich-quick scheme has admitted dishonest dealings after more than 100 retirees and pensioners lost title to their homes
Families ripping off elderly
FINANCIAL exploitation and abuse of older Australians is becoming a big concern, as we live longer and build up more wealth in super.
Lenders ‘fooling’ homeowners on super
ROGUE mortgage lenders are wrongly advising families to eat into their superannuation to catch up on home repayments. Financial planners and credit…
Fears for super as hedge funds play
THE Federal Government is worried hedge funds’ activity in the current market conditions could damage national superannuation savings.
Easier super access for dying
PEOPLE suffering a terminal illness can now withdraw money from their superannuation fund, tax-free.
Super losses not all bad
AFTER four consecutive years of spectacular double-digit returns, super fund balances are down 6 per cent on last financial year.
How much you really need to retire
STANDARD estimates of taking 65-75 per cent of your final salary as an indication of what you need for retirement are probably too low.
Most want rise in super rate
THREE out of four people want the compulsory superannuation contribution rate increased to 12 per cent, a new survey shows.
Senator urges restraint over super panic
SUPERANNUATION Minister Nick Sherry has urged super fund members not to panic about their poorly performing funds, saying they should look at the long-term returns, and not focus on short-term losses.
Cash crisis could hit super funds
FEARS of a run on super funds has prompted the Federal Government to check if the funds have enough cash to meet fund members’ demands.
Super to become environmentally friendly
SUPER choice will soon become a bit more green, with the launch of a system that will measure funds’ environmental credentials.
How to hold on tight in tumultuous times
IT’S as well the BBQ season is almost over since some of the chat MLC investment strategist Brian Parker hears make him frustrated.
Paying off mortgage preferred over super
BRICKS and mortar is still the preferred retirement savings plan for many Australians, according to new research.
$84b of super savings wiped out
ABOUT $84 billion has been wiped off superannuation accounts since January as the financial market turmoil hits our retirement funds.
Many fear super not enough to retire on
NEARLY three-quarters of Australians are not confident they will have enough super to live on in retirement.
Super fees double in five years
FEES for superannuation and pension funds have doubled in the past five years, says consulting firm Watson Wyatt.
Same-sex super changes on the way
THE Federal Government will soon move to change superannuation laws which discriminate against public sector employees in same-sex relationships, a Labor frontbencher says.
Uninformed risk losing super savings
UP TO two out of three people in self-managed super funds risk prosecution and even jail because they do not know the basics of how to run their super fund properly.
DIY super funds earning big returns
SOME 370,000 Australians have chosen to set up a self-managed super fund, controlling an average of about $800,000 each.
Put tax cuts into super – union
ALMOST one in two Australians would prefer planned tax cuts to be divided between cash and their retirement funds, a new union poll has found.
Riding out the share market rollercoaster
THE majority of Australian retirees and baby boomers are likely to have less retirement savings than their children will.
Taxman looks into dodgy super funds
THE tax office is investigating dodgy loans and possible tax avoidance by people who operate their own superannuation funds.
Managers grab bigger super fees
WHILE superannuation returns plummet, fees and charges continue to rise with the average person now slugged an extra $60 a year.
Industry funds sets super pace
LOWER charges have led to industry super funds providing much greater returns than retail trusts over one, three and five years.
We’re richer than ever despite super fall
A ROUGH January has put super funds on track for their first losing year since 2002, costing Australians thousands of dollars in lost savings.
Rolling over super just got harder
NEW laws designed to combat terrorism and money laundering are making it tougher to withdraw or transfer your super.
Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/superannuation/page/35