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Does the sales pitch for private assets hold up to scrutiny?
Conventional wisdom is a byproduct of groupthink that presents solutions good enough
for the average person while simultaneously not being right for any individual. You
follow it at your peril. The more different you are from the person that defined a rule the
less you should follow the rule. Each Monday I will challenge the investing norms that
just may be holding you back from living the life you want.
Read MoreSuper funds and private assets in the spotlight after ASIC release. On Feb. 26, 2025, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC, released a paper titled “Australia’s evolving capital markets: A discussion paper on the dynamics between public and private markets.” The paper discusses the changing Australian capital markets landscape, focusing on both the rapid growth in the capital allocated to private assets and the influence of Australian superannuation funds on private markets.
Read MoreThe proposal to add superannuation contributions to the Commonwealth-funded Paid Parental Leave Scheme (PPL Scheme) has now been enacted. Superannuation contributions (called PPL Superannuation Contributions) will be payable in respect of 2025/26 and subsequent financial years at the rate of 12% (which will be the SG rate for 2025/26 and following financial years) of the total amount of eligible Parental Leave Paid during the financial year. After the close of the financial year, the ATO will pay the PPL Superannuation Contribution to the individual’s nominated super fund.
Read MoreDespite recent sentiment about using super as a band aid for Australia’s housing crisis, the original intention of the scheme was to provide funds for those in retirement and reduce reliance on the age pension. Australians have accumulated a total of $3.9 trillion in superannuation assets (June 2024).
Read MoreSuperannuation remains a highly tax-effective way for most Australians to save for retirement, offering concessional tax treatment of contributions and favourable tax rates on earnings within the structure. However, the proposed superannuation Division 296 tax on earnings of balances above $3 million1 requires careful consideration when developing financial planning strategies.
Read MoreI recently wrote an article on how much you need to save to have a comfortable retirement. I thought I would turn this around and look at the return side of things. This is my attempt to figure out what return is required to have a comfortable retirement at different savings levels.
Read MoreThere are four steps which must be completed to successfully claim a tax deduction for your personal superannuation contributions. If one or more steps are missing or not completed, the Commissioner of Taxation has no discretion to overlook those missing or incomplete steps.
Read MoreNew research finds that customers with a guaranteed lifetime income product often have an easier time transitioning into retirement and have a better quality of life once doing so.
Read MoreSelecting the right superannuation fund can sometimes seem like a difficult task. But when you consider that your super may ultimately have to sustain your lifestyle for more than 35 years, it's vital that you sort the wheat from the chaff.
Read MoreApart from buying a home, superannuation is likely to be the biggest investment most Australians will make in their lifetime.
It’s also one of the most tax-effective ways to save for retirement. The Government provides tax concessions for superannuation, which include concessional taxation rates for certain contributions, as well as for earnings on investments.
Read MoreA general rule of thumb is that when you retire, you will need about 2/3 of your current income to be able to comfortably make ends meet. Will your current super arrangements meet this requirement, or will you need to make extra payments or consider other investment options?
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