Do you know how your super fund performed over the last two years? Many Australians don’t and are working towards their financial future without fully understanding one of their most important assets and without a clear plan for how their super may support them in retirement. That's not surprising, as many people view super as something that should run quietly in the background while they're busy with careers, families and everything else that life throws at them. But when yo

Separating from a partner is one of the most significant changes many people experience. Alongside the emotional impact, there are often practical decisions to make about housing, finances and future plans. One area that frequently causes confusion is superannuation. For many Australians, super is one of their largest assets, yet it's often overlooked because it sits separately from everyday bank accounts and investments. A common misconception is that super is somehow protec

Why is estate planning important in retirement? When planning for retirement, many people focus on whether they have enough money to support their lifestyle. But another important question is: what happens to your money, assets and loved ones when you’re no longer here? Estate planning helps answer that question. It brings together your legal, financial and personal arrangements so your wishes are clearly understood. Without a clear plan, families may face: Uncertainty about

In Australia, special capital gains tax (CGT) rules apply to the transfer of assets from a deceased estate. The most common types of capital gains assets are property, shares and managed funds. You may have just received, or are about to receive, an inheritance. While this article provides a general overview and is not a substitute for specialist tax advice, it outlines some of the key CGT considerations when selling assets from a deceased estate. No sale, no capital gains ta

Your approach to superannuation is likely to change as you near retirement. And while your own personal circumstances may influence how you approach super in your 60s, there are still a number of ways to give it a boost before you retire. Everybody has a different retirement in mind. Some want to travel the world each year, while others want to downsize and spend time with their family and friends, locally. Regardless of the type of retirement you want, it’s important to have

Investment Scams Investment opportunities that seem too good to be true, probably are. If you’re approached via unsolicited emails or calls from an investment company or financial adviser, it’s crucial that you complete some checks before you hand over any personal details. Check if the financial organisation is registered with ASIC on the MoneySmart website. You can also check whether the organisation is on the list of companies you should not deal with. Many of these scams

When it comes to financial advice, everyone is different. Some people want to do it all themselves, only needing help at crucial times such as when they’re changing jobs, retiring or making a large investment. Others want confirmation on the decisions they’ve already made. Or they may want a financial mentor who can help them with every financial decision. The different types of financial advice There are a range of financial advice options available, from ‘bite-sized’ advice

Your super balance is one of the strongest signals of how your financial future is shaping up. It’s also one of the first things Australians compare. So it’s no surprise the big question keeps coming up: is my super on track for my age? This guide answers that question with the figures that matter, combining average super balances by age and gender with the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) Retirement Standard targets for a modest and comfortable retirem

End of Financial Year (EOFY) is a good time to show your super some love. EOFY often gets us thinking about money and your super deserves its moment too. You don’t need to do everything but a few small moves now could make a big difference over time. Your future self will thank you. A few EOFY super moves worth thinking about Add a little extra before 30 June (even small amounts can help over time). Choose the type of contribution that suits you. Check for potential extras, l

Payday Super means employers must pay super at the same frequency as they pay wages. The changes are being introduced to improve retirement outcomes and reduce unpaid super. Moving away from quarterly payments means more frequent compounding – and may also result in higher super payments on bonuses for some high income earners. From 1 July 2026, Payday Super changes will require employers to pay super at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly. For many Australians, thi

Retirement isn’t a single moment. It’s a long, wonderful chapter – and the choices you make today help determine how confidently you’ll step into it. Whether you’re 10 years or more away, or rounding the final bend into retirement, your super will always benefit from some love. Here’s how to make the most of your contribution opportunities. 3–10 years from retirement – Building momentum These are your prime years for super growth. With time on your side, even small boosts now

Super will soon need to be paid into your super account within seven business days of your regular pay, making it easier to check and grow your savings. Summary Almost half of all working Australians don’t check their super balance¹. But with Payday Super around the corner, and the ATO returning $1.1 billion in unpaid super to individual super accounts in 2024-25, there’s never been a better time to log in². Most people notice when their pay goes into their bank account. And

Downsizing the family home is often part of the longer term financial plans for many older Australians. But did you know that you could consider investing the proceeds of the sale of your family home to your super, depending on your age and circumstances, as a downsizer contribution? What is a downsizer contribution? Since 1 January 2023, if you’re aged 55 years or older you may be eligible to make a downsizer contribution of up to $300,000 to a complying super fund, from the

Over one quarter of a million Australians will start their retirement in 2026. Many more are looking ahead to the time when they can swap their 9 to 5 roles for the freedom of retirement. Getting the planning right will be critical for helping people to enjoy the retirement that they deserve. One of the biggest fears for retirees is whether their savings will last 1 . Will they truly have enough to enjoy the retirement they’ve planned for? The typical response is to reduce sp

What if you opted to give a present that could help shape the financial future for yourself or your loved ones? Before you make that transfer or sign over an asset, it’s important to consider the opportunities, risks and rules that come with financial gifts to ensure you avoid any unexpected surprises along the way. 1. Investing for family Imagine you make an initial investment of $1,000 in a long term, high return investment. Each year you add an additional $1,000. After 10

Estate planning is one of those tasks almost everyone means to get to, yet many only face it during a crisis. Families often describe the same moment. A parent dies, the surviving spouse and children open a cupboard or a laptop, and suddenly they are trying to reconstruct a life from scattered paperwork, half remembered details and password guesses. Grieving and guessing at the same time. We all want to protect the people we love, yet estate planning rarely feels urgent. Beha

You've spent your entire adult life working and now it’s time to kick back and do more of the things that interest you – whether perfecting your golf handicap, travelling the world or spending time with the grandkids, retirement is a time for an entirely new lifestyle. 1. Set up a spending plan It takes 12 to 18 months for new spending patterns to become established, so take the time to consider how your expenses are likely to change in retirement. Some things such as electri

Getting on top of your finances is one of the most common new year's resolutions Australians make. But only 12% of us achieve our goal. Here's how to be one of them. More than one in two Australians (52%) plan to get on top of their finances each year, according to research from the Federal government's Moneysmart website # . Popular goals include creating or updating a budget (43%), investing more (37%) and paying off debt (33%). But only about one in eight (12%) stick to th

The assets that make up your estate may include property, bank accounts, investments and superannuation. How your estate will be distributed after your death will depend on who you nominate to be beneficiaries in your Will. That is, your estate minus your superannuation – unless you have specifically nominated your estate to be the beneficiary of your superannuation. In that case, your Will can determine how your estate will be split. But if you haven’t nominated a beneficiar

In Australia, we’re pretty big on borrowing money. According to figures published by Finder in 2024, Australia takes the number three spot, after Switzerland and the Netherlands in the top five countries with the highest levels of household debt. So, if you’re in debt, you’re certainly not alone in owing money. Mortgage debt is the number one contributor to household debt, followed by personal loans, credit cards and student loans. Quick stats – average Australian debt levels