Superannuation

By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 34 2016\ Key points Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States risks ushering in a period of policy uncertainty which could cause further share market weakness in the short term. Australia and Asia generally are particularly exposed to this given the high... Read more

Despite an increasing number of women participating in the workforce, there are still significant differences between men and women in terms of superannuation balances at retirement – the so called gender retirement savings gap. As superannuation contributions are largely linked to employment or business income, those who have lower income, work part-time, or have time out of the workforce, will... Read more

By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 26 2016 Key points Low and falling investment yields from most major asset classes point to a constrained medium term return outlook. For a diversified mix of assets, this has now fallen to around 6.9% on our projections. For investors the key is to:... Read more

The Australian retirement saving system is ranked third worldwide in the 2015 Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index (MMGPI). In the overall ranking, which includes measures of adequacy, sustainability and integrity, the Australian retirement saving system was awarded a score of 79.6 behind Denmark (81.7) and Netherlands (80.5). The Australian score results in a B+ categorisation, slightly outside the A grade... Read more

The self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) sector has experienced extraordinary growth over the last 15 years now accounting for almost $600 billion of superannuation, overtaking the retail superannuation sector now worth about $550 billion. Most individuals cite the desire for investment control and reduction of fees as their driver for establishing an SMSF. There is no question that a SMSF offers... Read more

The amount of Age Pension you are entitled to is determined by applying an income test and an assets test. It is the lower result of the two tests which determines the amount, if any, of Age Pension that you will recieve. If you have an account-based pension it will be included in the income test for the Age Pension,... Read more

There is some speculation that the Turnbull government will consider some tax reform for superannuation. Whilst we wait to see what super changes actually occur in the coming months or years, it is important to remain confident in the tax advantages of investing your wealth in the superannuation environment. Helping our clients plan for the future every day, we are... Read more

For those individuals earning more than $180,001 p.a. you will see your tax rate reported as 45%. However in reality this rate is incomplete. Once you have added in the 2% Temporary Budget Repair Levy and the 2% Medicare Levy your real tax rate becomes 49%. Further, for individuals in this highest tax bracket without adequate Private Health Insurance, your... Read more

A bias towards investing in local shares and property is common and understandable. Unfortunately for many Australian investors this means missing out on the potential rewards of international investments – healthy returns and risk reduction through diversification of their investments across asset classes. Each asset class usually exhibits different risk and returns to various market cycles and events. In turn... Read more

There were many positives in Treasurer Hockey’s second federal budget, the tone of which was a stark contrast to his grave warnings, severe spending cuts and austerity messages a year earlier. However one must question the optimistic forward growth estimates on which treasury base their calculations – I hope they are correct. We attach a paper issued by the Institute... Read more