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22 January 2025
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The costs of super concessions are usually quoted in gross terms, ignoring offsetting behavioural changes and social security savings. The impact of very large balances should be measured in net terms.
Most people accept there should be a limit to the tax concessions for high super balances, but the mechanics of Government's $3 million proposal must be fixed before it is legislated. Treasury missed the detail.
Superannuation has become a bit of a political football and there's noise around further changes to the system. While super isn't perfect, more changes could add further complexity to a system that's served us well.
The solutions to retirement problems are obvious. All we need are 'efficiency' and 'flexibility'. Learn what these two words mean and the future of superannuation policy is clear. Just don't tell Paul Keating.
End of financial year is fast approaching, but you can get ahead of the game with these seven superannuation tips, including a way for a couple to put $800,000 into super in coming months.
The July 1 super changes will encourage many people to reconsider their estate planning, and the role of testamentary trusts should be part of the process. The range of choices has moved far beyond a will.
It's revealing to read what investors actually did with their superannuation in response to the 1 July rules changes, and the comments show many people are tired of the constant tinkering with the super rules.
With super changes a week away, this is the last chance to act on transition to retirement adjustments, resetting CGT cost bases or contributions under the higher limits.
To find out what our readers did with their super as a result of the changes, we are running a short survey, and the results will be published next week.
When changes to regulations are as extensive and complex as the coming 1 July rules, many misconceptions about how they work arise for both advisers and their clients. Here are a few common mistakes.
The deductibility of personal contributions due from 1 July is a bigger opportunity than most people realise, given many employees were not allowed to salary sacrifice, and some employers abused it.
Monica answers questions on her article on the $1.6 million cap. As she will be unable to answer more questions directly for a while, consider registering for her upcoming webinar.
Last year, I wrote an article suggesting returns from ASX stocks would trample those from housing over the next decade. One year later, this is an update on how that forecast is going and what's changed since.
The housing market was subdued in 2024, and pessimism abounds as we start the new year. 2025 is likely to be a tale of two halves, with interest rate cuts fuelling a resurgence in buyer demand in the second half of the year.
This examines the performance of key asset classes and sub-sectors in 2024 and over longer timeframes, and the lessons that can be drawn for constructing an investment portfolio for the next decade.
The renowned investor has penned his first investor letter for 2025 and it’s a ripper. He runs through what bubbles are, which ones he’s experienced, and whether today’s markets qualify as the third major bubble of this century.
Key lessons include expensive stocks can always get more expensive, Bitcoin is our tulip mania, follow the smart money, the young are coming with pitchforks on housing, and the importance of staying invested.
Check out the most-read Firstlinks articles from 2024. From '16 ASX stocks to buy and hold forever', to 'The best strategy to build income for life', and 'Where baby boomer wealth will end up', there's something for all.