Superannuation/SMSF

Superannuation funds were slightly down in April, by a negligible 0.1 percent, following the mixed performance of global share markets due to the Greek sovereign debt crisis.

The lowest paid workers will lose out under the Henry Review superannuation changes, with employers forced to cut wages to pay the increased superannuation rate.

NAB and MLC have come out in support of the Henry Tax Review superannuation reforms taking compulsory superannuation from 9 up to 12 percent from 2012.

Federal Government changes to superannuation in response to the Henry Review will increase will harm small business says accounting firm BDO and COSBOA.

Over 410,000 SMSFs in Australia will be banned from investing in collectibles and ‘personal use’ assets if recommendations from the Cooper Review come into effect.

Barring a shock collapse in world sharemarkets, superannuation fund members can look forward to a positive return this financial year – the first time since 2006/07.

This month marks one year from the depth of the financial crisis, and demonstrates the value of taking a long-term view of investment markets. After another positive month in February, the median superannuation growth fund has returned a satisfying 20.4% for the past year.

Super’s not an easy thing to get your head around and it’s not the most exciting of topics. But there are some serious tax benefits to self-managing your super. So could it work for you?

After finishing off 2009 on a high, the median superannuation growth fund industry average retreated 2.2% in January. This was largely because listed share and property markets went into reverse. The Australian share market was down 6.2% for the month, while international shares retreated 2.9% (unhedged) and 3.5% (hedged). Australian and global REITs (listed property) […]

There are a number of things SMEs must consider when writing a will. They are as follows:

Frequently neglected, the absence of a will can cause serious problems for your family and your business. It is essential for all SMEs to have a will.

With the changes announced by the government’s recent budget in regard to superannuation, many investors are now looking to top up their super fund prior to the end of the financial year. But I would question whether this is really a wise move.

In a blow to small business, the Government have delivered cuts to superannuation tax concessions in the Federal Budget, expecting to save more than $1 billion next year by halving limits on tax-deductible contributions, and reining back on its co-contribution scheme. The Government will halve the maximum limit on concessional contributions from $100,000 to $50,000 […]

The Federal Government, along with a group of top superannuation industry bodies have agreed to review Australia’s superannuation policies. Superannuation Minister Nick Sherry said the review would look at whether any improvements could be made to the system’s structure, operation and efficiency to boost retirement savings for consumers. “After nearly 20 years of compulsory superannuation […]

With some $200 billion wiped off superannuation books in the last 12 months, an average of $20,000 per working individual, the industry needs to bounce back from the financial crisis and shareholder empowerment is the key, says Colin Melvin, one of Britain’s leading pension experts. “As a result of this global crisis, pension funds are […]

Small business owners are showing strong interest in self-managed superannuation funds and saving for retirement and for when they’re no longer working full-time. However, often, your self-managed super fund (SMSF) becomes your new ‘small business’. Read on to see how you can make the most of superannuation. Many businesspeople have been hesitant to start an […]

The changes to superannuation over the past two years have created an exciting opportunity for SME owners. Even if you’re nowhere near retirement age, you now have the ability to use superannuation to grow your business, control premises and provide for a comfortable retirement all at the same time. Recent changes relevant to SMEs, in regards […]

Small business owners are showing strong interest in managing their own money in saving for retirement and when no longer working full-time. Often, the management of their own self-managed super fund (SMSF) becomes their new ‘small business’ in retirement. Many businesspeople have been hesitant to start an SMSF because they have not known what is […]

With the end of financial year looming and new super choice legislation set to be introduced, the time might be right for business owners to consider their own superannuation options and the DIY option. Despite being compulsory, your superannuation payments are an opportunity to build your financial future throughout the course of your business life. […]

Michael Hutton sifts the new superannuation rules and finds a lot of good news for business owners. But for some, retirement plans will need urgent attention Following the additional benefits and enhancements announced in the Federal Budget in May this year, superannuation is now the prime tax-advantaged, long-term investment vehicle, particularly for business owners. The […]