superannuation

Prime Minister Scott Morrison took the opportunity at this week’s Liberal Party meeting to confirm that the minimum pension drawdown standards would be reduced for another financial year. The so-called COVID-19 measures were set to apply for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years in light of the financial losses experienced by investors during the pandemic….

When COVID-19 found its way to Australia the health advice was to mandate social distancing by closing businesses deemed non-essential and restricting people’s movement. The economic consequences were tragic – both at the aggregate level and because certain industries and occupations were far more heavily impeded. A broad and bold policy response was required, and…

As the industry fund sector embarks on what will be a busy and decade shaping year, Rainmaker’s recent release of its latest batch of AAA-rated super funds couldn’t be more timely. The research house seeks to assess the quality of 692 products issued by 178 superannuation funds, including both industry or so-called “not for profits”…

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) was established in 1 November 2018, combining the Financial Ombudsman Service, Credit and Investments Ombudsman (CIO) and Superannuation Complains Tribunal (SCT) into a more efficient and well resourced group. Covering most aspects of the financial services industry, the data was naturally tilted towards complaints against the banking sector and…

The Financial Sector Reform Bill (Hayne Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill finally passed both houses of Parliament on Friday, as the professional standards expected of the financial advice industry continue to increase. The bill includes three significant changes for the industry, each aimed at protecting clients against the “fees for no service” debacle that…

The issue of retirement income has arguably become far too politicised in recent years, with rational debate seemingly scarce. While the focus inevitably falls on the political football that is superannuation, the Age Pension doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The federal government’s retirement income review, released late last year, showed that the pension will…

It may be a lull between storms but the SMSF Association has no major political battle to contend with at the moment, instead focusing on smaller issues to do with regulatory change and embarking on new research about small funds’ performance in case that becomes an issue in future. John Maroney, the association’s chief executive,…

Schroder’s Investment Management this week released a note to the ASX in which they announced the objective returns of their popular listed and unlisted CPI Plus series of funds would be amended. For those who aren’t aware of the strategies, they are what’s known as multi-asset class strategies, able to invest across all available asset…

One of the most eagerly awaited updates in the investment market is that of the $171 billion Future Fund, Australia’s sovereign wealth fund – and the December 2020 update was even more closely watched than normal. Because of its initial purpose – to invest in order to fund large unfunded Commonwealth public-sector superannuation liabilities which…

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has flagged an increase in both the Transfer Balance (TBC) and Total Superannuation Balance (TSB) caps, which impact everything from the eligibility to make contributions, tax exemption of earnings and even the co-contribution. Following the release of the consumer price index (CPI) figures earlier this week, the TBC and TSB…