By Matt Hern on February 2, 2010
This article is reproduced courtesy of the author LawCentral.
If you have a self managed superannuation fund (SMSF) it is essential that you as trustee regularly review the deed to ensure it is up to date. One benefit is that an up to date deed will give you access to the latest strategies as they become [...]
Posted in Superannuation | Tagged diy superannuation, lawcentral, self managed superannuation, smsf
By Matt Hern on November 5, 2009
Do-it-yourself financial planning can be costly because often you don’t know what you need to know. With a litte more knowledge you would make a more informed financial decision that can both save and make you money.
This was clearly illustrated in my conversation just now with one of the other tenants in my office building. Let’s call [...]
Posted in Getting Advice, Planning, Superannuation | Tagged salary sacrifice, superannuation, value of financial advice
By Matt Hern on July 22, 2008
Industry Super Funds would have you believe that one of their logos on your superannuation statement could mean thousands of dollars more in your superannuation. What they fail to mention is that it also could mean thousands of dollars less.
In a submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on award modernisation and default superannuation funds, [...]
Posted in Superannuation | Tagged superannuation
By Matt Hern on June 5, 2008
On Friday night the current affairs show, Today Tonight reported that $300 million of superannuation has been stolen by employers. It’s a shocking situation for sure. Could some of your superannuation have been stolen?
The way employers “steal” your superannuation is by not paying compulsory superannuation guarantee contributions (9%) into your account on time, if ever. Some [...]
Posted in Superannuation | Tagged superannuation
By Matt Hern on April 17, 2008
A new educational website has been launched, called SuperAnt. Anything to do with money and finance can make many people’s eyes glaze over. This is perhaps even more so with younger people who have not yet had the life experience to realise the value of money in facilitating life experiences.
If you prefer to learn in [...]
Posted in Superannuation | Tagged cashflow control, games (for learning), superannuation
By Matt Hern on February 8, 2008
Do you have a massive orientation towards details and would love to learn more about superannuation in Australia? If so, you are in luck as the Parliamentary Library of Australia has just published a Chronology of superannuation and retirement income in Australia.
It is a wonderful resource for financial advisory geeks like me, but you may [...]
Posted in Superannuation | Tagged statistics, superannuation
By Matt Hern on January 3, 2008
Reported across several media outlets are the changes to laws giving staff greater ability to claim unpaid superannuation when companies collapse. Here is an excerpt from The Australian (read in full here):
Under new laws, which came into effect this week, superannuation will be given the same priority as other debts and will rank equally with [...]
Posted in Superannuation | Tagged superannuation
By Matt Hern on December 24, 2007
As at 30th June 2007 there is $11.9 billion in lost superannuation, according to the Australian Commissioner of Taxation’s Annual Report for the financial year 2006-07. This staggeringly large amount of money is spread across 6.1 million accounts. That’s an average of $1,950 of lost superannuation per account.
Could some of this lost superannuation be yours? [...]
Posted in Superannuation | Tagged statistics, superannuation
By Matt Hern on December 6, 2007
Today AMP launched a new online tool called the “Retirement Simulator“. I’d like to congratulate them as it is a well constructed, flexible tool for estimating how much you may need to save to achieve your desired retirement lifestyle and for that lifestyle to last until at least your life expectancy.
By necessity the tool has [...]
Posted in Planning, Superannuation | Tagged retirement, superannuation, tools
By Matt Hern on November 30, 2007
“Buying a new car is exciting. There is so much choice, so many colors, body styles, engines and brands to choose from. Your budget helps narrow the choices substantially. Some brands will resonate; others will be a real turn off while practical stuff like four doors or two, work needs, number of children, hobbies and [...]
Posted in Superannuation | Tagged superannuation