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4 April 2025
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Changes are expected in the superannuation rules in the Federal Budget 2016. Here we list a ‘Deficit Dozen’ of potential amendments.
Please take our simple survey on what you would change (not what you think will change). It will only take a minute or so.
We will publish the first results on Sunday 1 May 2016, two days before the Budget.
The survey is now closed.
The potential changes are:
Are there any other superannuation changes you think may be or should be introduced?
Yes - it is interesting to see what people think about the budget, and the budget is important. I look forward to the results but not as much as I look forward to government and superannuation industry really putting the consumer first.
Hi Stephen, you're correct this survey will have no impact on the Budget, but the fact that over 600 people have responded shows Cuffelinks' readers have an opinion and they want to express it. The comments provide a great insight into what people think about superannuation and possible changes. We will publish the results plus all the comments on Sunday and again in next week's newsletter. Cheers
Why are we spending time and energy on the 2016 Budget? Your survey is unlikely to change what the Government is going to do. We should be spending all this time and energy on the real issue: the fact that Australians are having to deal with the risks of retirement with very little assistance from the industry that should be doing just that - the superannuation industry.
Can anybody raise the issue of same superannuation rules applying to both politicians and common people at this coming election. Any party who promises to change the superannuation rules to politicians will get my vote (and a great majority of votes, I guess). Wow! Am I just a dreamer to expect politicians to act honestly when it comes to their remuneration and perks?
More lazy ill-conceived ideas are coming. So you think you are safe because of fumbling politicians asserting 'no changes being applied retrospectively'? With the last changes to old age pension rules, my then 77 yo sibling on part old age pension could only preserve the old asset test rules provided the super funded pension was never stopped and re-started after 31 December 2014. Effectively this change killed the concept of choice in superannuation provider, locking super provider arrangements as at 31 December 2014 unless willing to suffer the new asset test. Yes says the government, you can still exercise choice in super and escape the expensive for profit superannuation provider, but we will permanently penalise you for doing so. The same advisers and public servants who delivered that outcome will be looking for you in the May 2016 budget. Meanwhile… What is a reasonable after tax income in retirement, measured as a percentage of after tax income before retirement? Without access to the health benefits card, how much additional after tax income from super/investments is required to cover the additional health costs? How does a woman take time out of the paid workforce to raise the next generation of taxpayers and still achieve a reasonable retirement income from superannuation? The blunt rules for additionally taxing incomes over some arbitrary amount does not respect women with low superannuation balances that in later life are still trying to match the males.
Leave super alone. The tax benefits are the carrot required to persuade people to put their life savings into something they cannot touch for 50 years that is subject not only to market forces but the whim of the political ruling class for all those years. Successive govts have suckered working people into believing they need super as they individually don't have the discipline, desire or brains to save and invest for their lifetime in other financial structures not so tied to political will.
Agree with Sharon. Sick of parasitic politicians and public servants, with overly generous superannuation and other benefits provided at public expense, seeking to punish working Australians trying to provide their own retirement monies.
"Parasitic politicians and public servants"sums up the feeling of 80%of the general public.--Why should their superannuation entitlements be any greater than any other Australians.We should be all in the one boat!
Seems to me that the politicians who change the super rules should also obey and use the same super rules as the public. Also, seems to me that the politicians should be able to set the rules and leave them alone. Are they so incompetant that they have to keep changing the rules?
No wonder the black economy exists. Politicians from any party just can't be trusted.
There is no certainty i...and we need to be able to plan ahead...I have had to budget and live within my means...Governments want to get their hands on super and I don't agree with any cuts excep to the Polly Pension and the extras...try that for a start
Thanks for the great response already. Results and all comments published on Sunday night.
Bring back the Reasonable Benefits Limit (RBL). Tax payers should not be underwriting tax-sheltered luxury retirement or inheritance schemes
Add item 13: “tax-free (tax-payer funded) super fund income for life, tax-free (tax-payer funded) distributions for life, free (tax-payer funded) public transport for life, free (tax-payer funded) healthcare and medicines for life, free (tax-payer funded) utilities for life, plus a free slave for life.
To Gary M. I'll be the slave as long as I can play tennis at your place!
Superannuation is both a revenue source from taxes and a cost from concessions. The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has released its first 'super explainer' and it shows how they think and perhaps future targets.
Among the share success stories is a poor personal experience as Telstra's service needs improving. Plus why the new budget announcements on downsizing and buying a home don't deserve the super hype.
A conversation with Government officials on the proposed super changes shows there is some logic behind those numbers.
This time last year, I highlighted 16 ASX stocks that investors could own indefinitely. One year on, I look at whether there should be any changes to the list of stocks as well as which companies are worth buying now.
The ABS recently released figures which are used to determine key superannuation rates and thresholds that will apply from 1 July 2025. This outlines the rates and thresholds that are changing and those that aren’t.
With the arrival of the new year, the first members of ‘Generation X’ turned 60, marking the start of the MTV generation’s collective journey towards retirement. Are Gen Xers and our retirement system ready for the transition?
The intergenerational wealth transfer, largely driven by a housing boom, exacerbates economic inequality, stifles productivity, and impedes social mobility. Solutions lie in addressing the housing problem, not taxing wealth.
Warren Buffett's annual shareholder letter has been fixture for avid investors for decades. In his latest letter, Buffett is reticent on many key topics, but his actions rather than words are sending clear signals to investors.
With an election due by 17 May, we are effectively in campaign mode with the Government announcing numerous spending promises since January and the Coalition often matching them. Here's what the election means for investors.
Larry Fink is one of the smartest people in the finance industry. In his latest shareholder letter, the Blackrock CEO outlines his quest to become the biggest player in private assets and upend investor portfolios.
Our economy grew by a nominal rate of 7% per annum from 2017 to 2024, but it benefited from the largesse of fiscal and monetary policies, both of which are now fading. We need a new, credible economic growth agenda.
If the recent polls are anything to go by, we are headed for a hung parliament at the upcoming federal election. So more than ever, Australians need to give serious consideration to their preference votes.
It’s common for people as they age to seek more help in running their SMSF if their capacity declines. An alternate director may be a great solution for someone just planning for short-term help in the meantime.
In this interview, Matthew Haupt from Wilson Asset Management discusses his outloook for the ASX, sectors such as REITs that he likes, and his firm's launch of a new income-oriented listed investment company.
Life expectancy isn't just a number - it's a concept that changes with survival rates over time. This article breaks down how age, survival, and societal factors shape our understanding of life expectancy, especially post-Covid.
Gold mining stocks outperformed in 2024 and are expected to do well in 2025. At this point in the rally, it's worth considering what has driven gold prices higher and why miners could still have some catching up to do.